March Madness 2021 - Finals! (Voting Ended March 23rd)

[Rob, Roberator]

Finals:

(1) Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

vs.

(6) The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Vote Here

[Rob, Roberator]

The final is set, once I can sort out the poll link I'll update the original post.

[Rob, Roberator]

The poll is live: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Catriona]

so excited to take part in my first March Madness! both pics are great

[Jen]

So conflicted as to voting, since I have read one, but would love for everyone else to read it too, and I really want to read the other one.

No matter which way the votes go, I'll be happy!

[Rob, Roberator]

I would have preferred Rivers of London, but I'll probably read both the finalists, so it's a good choice to have.

[Jason (jasonb)]

Rob wrote: "I would have preferred Rivers of London, but I'll probably read both the finalists, so it's a good choice to have."

I'm going back through the original list and adding those books that didn't make it thus far to my "to read" list. Most of them seemed interesting reads but I'm glad the one I really want to read is a finalist.

[Jason (jasonb)]

catriona wrote: "so excited to take part in my first March Madness! both pics are great"

This is what March Madness should look like. Kind of like that episode of Sliders, where intelligence is rewarded like NBA stars are.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Jen wrote: "So conflicted as to voting, since I have read one, but would love for everyone else to read it too, and I really want to read the other one.

No matter which way the votes go, I'll be happy!"

I'm the same. I ended up voting for (and buying!) the one I haven't read yet because I probably should whether or not it wins. I feel like if the one I've already read (and regifted) wins I might try the audio this time around.

[elizabeth • paper ghosts]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm the same. I ended up voting for (and buying!) the one I haven't read yet because I probably should whether or not it wins. I feel like if the one I've already read (and regifted) wins I might try the audio this time around."

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that! I've already read both, but wouldn't mind a "re-read" in audio form.

I'm so proud of Cerulean Sea - look at my little nomination baby go! :D This has been a very exciting March Madness this year with some really killer nominations, and I'll be thrilled with whichever one wins in the end.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

elizabeth • paper ghosts wrote: "Ooh, I hadn't thought of that! I've already read both, but wouldn't mind a "re-read" in audio form."

For what it's worth, one of the books that got knocked out in the last round is also fantastic in audio - Rivers of London

[Trike]

Jade: https://www.colorhexa.com/00a86b

Cerulean: https://www.colorhexa.com/007ba7

[Mark]

Shadow: https://www.colorhexa.com/8a795d

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Trike wrote: "Jade: https://www.colorhexa.com/00a86b

Cerulean: https://www.colorhexa.com/007ba7"

Should we do a color poll?

[Scott]

elizabeth • paper ghosts wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm the same. I ended up voting for (and buying!) the one I haven't read yet because I probably should whether or not it wins. I feel like if the one I've already read ..."

I'm torn on how to vote - I've already read The House in the Cerulean Sea but I'd love for everyone else to have the experience of reading such an amazing book! Great pick btw - there's nothing else like it out there.

[Ian (RebelGeek)]

Trike wrote: "Jade: https://www.colorhexa.com/00a86b

Cerulean: https://www.colorhexa.com/007ba7"

There was a Green vs Blue matchup in round 1 also. It was the hardest decision for me (the books, not the colors).

Blue all the way!

[Ruth]

What a great final - one book I already own and want to read, and another book that I read recently and loved.
I think maybe it’ll be Rivers of London’s turn next year...

[Tassie Dave, S&L Historian]

Either book will be a worthy winner.

I really enjoyed Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. If Gods of Jade and Shadow is as good as that I should enjoy it.

But it looks like we have an odds of favourite and it sounds like a much loved book in The House in the Cerulean Sea

Rivers of London would have been a worthy winner. I'm 90% of the way through the audiobook (brilliant narration) and have already bought Books 2 to 4, the short story collection and several volumes of the Graphic Novel.

[Priscilla]

I’m being selfish and voting for the book I already own. But only because I want to read both the same amount!

[Rob, Roberator]

And the winner is...

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune


Here are the results from Tournament:

View the full bracket here

Tournament Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 3,082
Average Votes Cast: 210
Book With Most Votes: The House in the Cerulean Sea - (151 Votes) (Round 1)
Match-up With Most Votes: Gods of Jade and Shadow vs. Rivers of London (237 Votes) (Round 3)
Largest Win: The House in the Cerulean Sea (132 Votes) (Round 1)
Smallest Win: Kiki's Delivery Service - (10 Votes) (Round 1)
Average Win: 52 votes

Round 3 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 470
Average Votes Cast: 235
Book With Most Votes: The House in the Cerulean Sea (128 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: Gods of Jade and Shadow vs. Rivers of London (237 Votes)
Largest Win: The House in the Cerulean Sea (69 Votes)
Smallest Win: Gods of Jade and Shadow (29 Votes)
Average Win: 49

Round 2 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 787
Average Votes Cast: 197
Book With Most Votes: The House in the Cerulean Sea (128 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: Rivers of London vs. Green Rider (199 Votes)
Largest Win: The House in the Cerulean Sea (59 Votes)
Smallest Win: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry (28 Votes)
Average Win: 48

Round 1 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 1,618
Average Votes Cast: 202
Book With Most Votes: The House in the Cerulean Sea - (168 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: Rivers of London vs. Enchanted (215 Votes)
Largest Win: The House in the Cerulean Sea (132 Votes)
Smallest Win: Kiki's Delivery Service - (10 Votes)
Average Win: 60 votes


---------------------------------
Finals:

(1) Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - 93 Votes

vs.

(6) The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune - 114 Votes


Winner: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Total Votes: 207
Margin of Victory: 21

[Phil On The Hill]

Both books good in the final round, so happy with the winner. Now just the anguish on a real or electronic book, 1st World problem, if ever there was one. Stay safe all.

[Colin]

Nice. That’s the one I voted for, but not the way I expected the result to pan out. I felt like Jade & Shadow was getting all the positive vibes in the the discussions.

[Jason (jasonb)]

Well, I'm going to read Jade & Shadow first; only because everyone has checked out both versions of the Cerulean Sea. Which is fine because regardless of the winner I was reading both books anyway.

April is going to be a fun month of reading!!

[Rob, Roberator]

I'm in the middle of another series right now. Once I finish that I'll probably just buy this month's pick since I have a lot of unspent credits and the wait list is really long.

Then I may pick up Gods of Jade and Shadow later this year too.

[Jen]

I'm thinking I may read Gods of Jade and Shadow since I already read Cerulean Sea. I'm so happy Cerulean Sea won though, it really is a lovely book.

[Ruth]

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea recently and loved it, a worthy winner! I thought the audiobook was good for anyone wondering which format to go for- the narrator brought a nice dry wit.
I’ll probably go ahead and read Gods of Jade and Shadow next month anyway as it’s been sitting in my TBR pile for a while.

[elizabeth • paper ghosts]

*Snoopy dance*

What a great last couple of rounds! I've added a lot of books to my tbr, and Gods of Jade and Shadow was a great final opponent for Cerulean Sea. I've already read both, and while they're completely different, I would definitely recommend them!