Hearts of Oak, by Eddie Robson

[Single]

Not Rated Too Long to Qualify as Short Fiction

(SFF) A building has collapsed, and the King and his closest advisor (a talking cat), investigate. The chief architect realizes something is profoundly wrong, and not just with the building. (50,491 words; Time: 2h:48m)

At 50,491 words, this book is a novel, not a novella, even under the new rules for the Hugo Awards.

Bedfellow, by Jeremy Shipp

[Tor Novella]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Horror) A homeless man (or something that looks like one) breaks into the Lund family’s house on Friday night, and by distorting their memories, insinuates himself into their lives. (46,934 words; Time: 2h:36m)

See related articles on Tor.com.

Taste of Wrath, by Matt Wallace

[Tor Novella]

★★★★★ Saved the Best for Last—Deeply Satisfying

(Modern Fantasy; Sin du Jour) In which The Forces of Evil try to destroy our favorite caterers-to-the-supernatural and find they have their plates full (45,820 words; Time: 2h:32m)

You cannot start with this story; this series must be read in order See related articles on Tor.com.

Binti: The Night Masquerade, by Nnedi Okorafor

[Tor Novella]

★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

(Space Opera; Binti) With a war brewing and her own family under attack, Binti takes the initiative in trying to make peace. (47,885 words; Time: 2h:39m)

If "Make Room Make Room" is ratified at WorldCon 76, this story will qualify in the Best Novella Category for the 2019 Hugos. However, This series needs to be read starting with the original Binti novella. There is no way to make sense of this one if you read it stand-alone; there isn’t even a synopsis. See related articles on Tor.com.

Sorcerer of the Wildeeps, by Kai Ashante Wilson

Find this story

(SF "Magic") Demane is a young "sorcerer" whose magic is half-forgotten high-tech. He's helping guard a caravan which needs to pass through the Wildeeps, a place with dangerous magic of its own. (45,100 words; Time: 2h:30m)

Rating: ★★★★★ Award-Worthy

NOTE: Although this work exceeds the 40,000-word limit for a novella, Tor is marketing it as one, and the Hugo rules allow the organizers to treat it as such under section 3.2.7 of the WSFS Constitution. See related articles on Tor.com.