Welcome to another post about SPSFC2 Phase 1. We are reaching one of the deadlines, and it's time to talk a little about certain books, and what will happen to them. It hasn't been easy to decide which books to pick, because some of them were really close, and personally, I think I will continue reading some of the cut ones. 

Let's not delay this more, and let's see the fate of these four books!

Decision: Quarterfinalist

God in the Machine's decision was practically unanimous. All of the members that read it raised the same point about how the start was one of the most solid from the books in the slush pile, and had really interesting cyberpunk elements, being mixed also with several references to Japanese culture.

Decision: Cut

I personally enjoyed my read of The Sequence. The premise is really interesting, being plausible, despite sometimes it raised my eyebrow; the possibility of directly modifying the genetic of a people was interesting enough. Sadly, it didn't get enough votes to pass to the second phase, but at least, I think I will probably end up reading it, as it felt well written and with a good pace.

Decision: Quarterfinalist

Viral was a book that pick my eye since we got in on the slushpile phase. The premise was so juicy, so it was the first book I read during this phase. Creating visual horror with words is so difficult, especially one that reaches you so hard as Viral does with the descriptions. Something that all the members that read it on my team agreed on is that the creature images get easily into your mind and haunt your thoughts. Add to this mix a good narrative with a fast pace, and you have a quarterfinalist on SPSFC2. 

Decision: Cut

Falling Dark starts with the finding of an abandoned spaceship and the consequent exploration by our protagonists. While the premise is interesting, we didn't think the stakes were high enough to be hooked into it, or at least in comparison with the books picked to be quarterfinalists.