The award for Best First Novel was first presented in 1981. Awards presented in a given year are for works published in the previous calendar year.
Locus Award for Best First Novel Public
Created by Phil in SF
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A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark (Dead Djinn Universe, #1)
3 stars
Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, …
Phil in SF says: 2022 winner
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The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
4 stars
Humankind discovers intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, and sets off a high-stakes global …
Phil in SF says: 2023 winner
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The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera
5 stars
Fetter was raised to kill, honed as a knife to cut down his sainted father. This gave him plenty to …
Phil in SF says: 2024 winner
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Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
5 stars
Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance—from the perspective of the monster—by Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell
Shesheshen has …
Phil in SF says: 2025 winner
