Thank you to laurendoubleu for judging this category!

Please join us in congratulating the Science Fiction winners of the Astania Community's Harvest Festival 2024:

FIRST PLACE
with a score of 94.5/110...

Dream in the Ash by jacquelyngilmore 

If we're dreaming in the ash, it's because this story is fire! Right from the start, I knew I would vibe with this writing style. The smooth, familiar flow drew me into the story and connected me with Audrey, and with so much of her personality shining through the narrative, I was hooked.

From the blurb, I was already intrigued about where this plot was going. But the mystery is just getting started, and as we move into the story, we're introduced to a unique blend of sci-fi and the supernatural, from a strange new world hidden in plain sight, to an unnatural fire that seems to have a mind of its own.

Within this murder mystery is an assortment of fun characters. Audrey makes for an excellent narrator, and not only is her personality easy to connect to, but her voice in the narrative had me laughing on multiple occasions. Skyler is possibly my second favorite so far, and I like how morally gray she seems while also having some semblance of a heart. Even the characters we don't know about—from the man Audrey saw at the murder scene to the hooded man she chases through the city—caught my attention, and I'm curious to find out what they're up to.

Overall, this story, with its unique characters, intriguing plot, and smooth writing style, makes me excited to read more. Thanks for sharing this story with us, and congratulations!

AND

with a score of 94.5/110...

Parasite by pixelmum 

Parasite has fused to my brain, latching on and refusing to let go—and I don't mind it one bit! With intriguing and intricate lore, coupled with characters with mysterious backstories, this story satiates my hunger as if I was Heems after xe absorbs a fresh wave of energy.

First, the lore. It's clear that so much thought was put into this story, not just to make the setting realistic, but also scientific. That alone is worthy of praise. On top of that, the secrets of Kida Biotech add another layer to the world and plot, and I'm curious to see how this company intertwines with Heems's intriguing situation, Shiro's mysterious backstory, and the future of humanity.

Speaking of Heems and Shiro, even though we're just getting to know them, both of them seem to be fantastic characters. The narrative carries Heems's distinct voice, and I especially love the descriptions of xeir stronger emotions like hunger and desire. The way Shiro was introduced was well done too, and, like Heems, I went from instinctive distrust to mutual understanding. It helps that the narrative has a nice flow and rhythm, and with these relatable characters, I was easily immersed in the story.

This story has great characters with a mysterious plot in a carefully crafted world, and I'm happy to have it latch onto my mind. Congratulations, and thank you for this wonderful read!

SECOND PLACE
with a score of 86/110...

Ashes (Of the Earth Series) by Xeno-Hollow 

Right from the blurb, it's clear you have a way with words. I enjoyed the clever comparisons scattered throughout the story, especially when they add a little humor into the narrative and show us Alec's personality. Given how bleak the story's world seems, every bit of humor was something to be savored! On that note, your descriptions of the setting paint a dark and detailed picture, and it was easy to imagine myself surrounded by all of that death and despair.

Within that dystopia, though, was a unique assortment of characters. Each of their introductions had me curious about their secrets, and their differing moral compasses made them even more realistic. Coupled with their natural and distinct dialogue, the characters and their interactions were probably my favorite part.

THIRD PLACE
with a score of 82.5/110...

Tangled Threads of Tradition and Love by LittleCat_Kat 

The setting of this story, with its blend of historical and futuristic, immediately piqued my interest. While we see more of the traditional side at first, the occasional hints of technology and magic were great reminders of this unique world. Akira seems like an enjoyable character, and his relatability and kindness makes me want to root for him! Huan seems sweet too, and their dynamic will likely make their future relationship fun to follow.

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Winners, to receive your stickers, please create a ticket in our Discord server, The Writer's Hoard. Without the private messaging system on Wattpad, this is the best way for our staff to communicate effectively. In the ticket, please include the following information: your Wattpad username, your winning category, your placement (first, second, or third), and your story title.

All participants may request their scorecards through our Discord server's help ticket system, or by reaching out to their judge in this chapter.

Thanks to everyone for entering the Astania Awards! Congratulations to all!