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Locus Award for Best First Novel

The Locus Award for Best First Novel is a literary award by the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus. We have reviewed 12 books connected to it, including 1 winner.

12Books reviewed
1Winners
5Honoured authors with pages
Official site ↗Wikipedia ↗

Locus Award for Best First Novel 2026

Nominated

Archive of Unknown Universes cover
NominatedArchive of Unknown UniversesRuben Reyes Jr · ★ 4.0
A Song of Legends Lost cover
NominatedA Song of Legends LostM.H. Ayinde · ★ 4.0
When Devils Sing cover
NominatedWhen Devils SingXan Kaur · ★ 4.0
Awake in the Floating City cover
NominatedAwake in the Floating CitySusanna Kwan · ★ 4.0

Locus Award for Best First Novel winners we’ve reviewed

Newest first
2012
The Night Circus cover
WinnerThe Night CircusErin Morgenstern · ★ 4.0

Shortlisted, longlisted & nominated in earlier years

2025
The Ministry of Time cover
NominatedThe Ministry of TimeKaliane Bradley · ★ 4.0
2024
Godkiller cover
NominatedGodkillerHannah Kaner · ★ 4.0
2023
Legends & Lattes cover
NominatedLegends & LattesTravis Baldree · ★ 4.5
2022
The Chosen and the Beautiful cover
NominatedThe Chosen and the BeautifulNghi Vo · ★ 3.5
2022
Iron Widow cover
NominatedIron WidowXiran Jay Zhao · ★ 4.0
2018
Lincoln in the Bardo cover
NominatedLincoln in the BardoGeorge Saunders · ★ 4.0
2004
The Time Traveler’s Wife cover
NominatedThe Time Traveler’s WifeAudrey Niffenegger

Authors honoured

Each links to their author page
John Wiswell2025Erin Morgenstern2012Joe Hill2008Naomi Novik2007Susanna Clarke2005

Frequently asked questions

Which Locus Award for Best First Novel winners has The Bookish Elf reviewed?

The Night Circus (2012).

Which 2026 Locus Award for Best First Novel books have you reviewed?

Archive of Unknown Universes (nominated), A Song of Legends Lost (nominated), When Devils Sing (nominated), Awake in the Floating City (nominated).

How many Locus Award for Best First Novel books have you reviewed?

12 so far, 1 of them winners.

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