Locus Award Finalists (5/3/23)

The 2023 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists list is here!

SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL

SWEEP OF STARS: AN ASTRA BLACK NOVEL BY MAURICE BROADDUS

2 starred reviews!

“Broaddus…draws a direct line in global Black history from the kingdoms of precolonial Africa, through the American civil rights movement and into an imagined future, making this a hugely ambitious and notable work of postcolonial science fiction. This takes the genre in an exciting and challenging direction.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A multi-point-of-view novel provides intimate voices, showcasing character narratives including a young leader striving for power, a top fighting unit facing threats far from home, and a starship captain dealing with growing sabotage that affects not only her ship but her family.”–Library Journal, starred review

THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETY BY JOHN SCALZI

2 starred reviews!

“Readers familiar with the early Scalzi novels AGENT TO THE STARS (2005) and THE ANDROID’S DREAM (2006) will recognize the same energetic writing style and lightning-fast pacing: this is Scalzi having a lot of fun.”–Booklist, starred review

“The parallel world Scalzi builds is understandably dangerous even as he carries on the science fiction tradition of questioning who the real monsters are, but those realistically dark elements help highlight the more optimistic themes of collective action and preservation. The resulting escape is equally lighthearted and grounded—and sure to delight.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE SPARE MAN BY MARY ROBINETTE KOWAL

“Kowal expertly weaves in red herrings and twists right up to the unmasking of the killer, and punctuates the suspense with moments of sparkling wit…The author’s nuanced portrayal of Tesla’s disabilities and the complexities of the technology that assists her to navigate them is particularly welcome.”–Publishers Weekly

GOLIATH BY TOCHI ONYEBUCHI

“Onyebuchi’s biblically inspired cautionary tale offers a hauntingly beautiful portrait of the decaying planet…the emotions are raw and real, and Onyebuchi doesn’t shy away from the more heart-wrenching moments. It’s urgent, gorgeous work.”–Publishers Weekly

FANTASY NOVEL

NETTLE AND BONE BY T. KINGFISHER

3 starred reviews!

“The world building involves bone dogs, ghosts, and a disturbing puppet, all of which add to the eerie atmosphere; but the characters of the main party are lovable and easy to root for, and seeing how the next happily-ever-after trope will be subverted is a big part of the fun.”–Booklist, starred review

“The plot snaps along as quickly as a good joke, and beneath the whimsy, there’s an underlying sympathy and sincerity that enables Kingfisher to handle tricky issues like domestic violence with great compassion and care.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Blending fairy-tale familiarity and common-sense characters, Kingfisher’s prose balances grim circumstances with humor and heart.”–Library Journal, starred review

NONA THE NINTH: A LOCKED TOMB SERIES NOVEL BY TAMSYN MUIR

3 starred reviews!

“Nona’s lovely, simple, and occasionally silly voice works especially well in juxtaposition with the dark, dense backdrop of the series so far, creating a riveting contrast. Readers will be on the edges of their seats.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This uniquely poignant arc of a young woman’s search for an ordinary life within a very extraordinary world is both stunning in its simpler moments and shocking in its reveals.”–Library Journal, starred review

“A deceptively quiet beginning rockets to a thrilling finish, preparing us for the next volume’s undoubtedly explosive finale.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

SIREN QUEEN BY NGHI VO

3 starred reviews!

“In this stellar novel, Vo…turns Hollywood into a fairyland—the kind from the old stories, sharp and dangerous—and laces the sparkling silver romance of the movies with a dark, exploitative, hungry greed.”–Booklist, starred review

“Vo’s hypnotic prose blends metaphor with magic so seamlessly that reality itself becomes slippery. Her dazzling voice, evocative scene setting, and ambitious protagonist make this a knockout.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Luli is a compelling character both on and off the screen in this story that takes the mythmaking of Hollywood and transforms it and her into something transcendent. Highly recommended.”–Library Journal, starred review

THE GRIEF OF STONES: A CEMETERIES OF AMALO NOVEL BY KATHERINE ADDISON

2 starred reviews!

“The gentle Celehar continues to do his best to discover truths that few want revealed, while exploring his city, reflecting on his life and his world, and generally telling a delightful story that will satisfy readers of both fantasy and mystery.”–Library Journal, starred review

“The author’s fans will welcome the chance to continue exploring Amalo alongside this mild-mannered but tenacious detective, though new readers should start with the previous book to avoid becoming overwhelmed by Addison’s complex—though delightful—world building.”–Booklist, starred review

SPEAR BY NICOLA GRIFFITH

“With a gender-swapped protagonist and purposeful representation of people of color and people with disabilities, this is an ideal pick for fans of retold legends, as well as those looking for diverse fantasy.”–Publishers Weekly

HORROR NOVEL

ROAD OF BONES BY CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN

3 starred reviews!

“Golden’s prose is taut and undeniably unsettling, exploring the dark recesses of the Siberian landscape. Indeed, the unforgiving environment is just as grave a threat as the shadowy shaman. Golden is writing at the top of his game.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“From its first paragraph, Golden’s novel is a heart-stopping thrill ride. The writing is lean, muscular. Readers will feel the cold (and the terror) in their bones. But there’s also an abundance of heart.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Opening with a high anxiety sequence and relentlessly building on the ceaseless terror and unrelenting cold, Golden places the fear front and center. The story is told from multiple points of view…which adds a depth and beauty to a story that could have been centered around carnage.”–Booklist, starred review

JUST LIKE HOME BY SARAH GAILEY

2 starred reviews!

“Delightfully creepy and heartbreakingly tragic, JUST LIKE HOME is equal parts raw terror of a dark childhood bedroom, creeping revelations of a true-crime podcast, and searing hurt of resentment within a family. It’s a must-read for all gothic horror fans.”–Booklist, starred review

“The counterintuitive choice to have flashbacks recounted in present tense, while using past tense for present-day events, along with ominous foreshadowing…helps to create an unsettling atmosphere.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

SUNDIAL BY CATRIONA WARD

“The queasy narrative gives its characters plenty of space to explore their unreal circumstances without ever sacrificing momentum, and while the ending skillfully ties together the many threads, it never offers easy answers.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

WHAT MOVES THE DEAD BY T. KINGFISHER

“Kingfisher adds wonderful dimension and tangibility to the classic Poe story, filling it in with standout character work and scenic descriptions that linger on the palate, while fleshing out the original plot with elements as plausible as they are chilling. It’s thoroughly creepy and utterly enjoyable.”–Publishers Weekly

ECHO BY THOMAS OLDE HEUVELT

“From Hugo nominee and internationally best-selling Dutch author Heuvelt, sends Nick Grevers and climbing partner Augustin up a remote mountain in the Swiss Alps called the Maudit (‘cursed’ in French), whose eerie stillness presages the horror to come.”–Library Journal Pre Pub Alert

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

DREAMS BIGGER THAN HEARTBREAK: AN UNSTOPPABLE NOVEL BY CHARLIE JANE ANDERS

“Queer identity is front and center as before, and a wide variety of life experiences and ethnic backgrounds play into the perspectives of the characters as they try to prioritize joy and growth in the midst of intergalactic war.”–Kirkus Reviews

FIRST NOVEL

THE BOOK EATERS BY SUNYI DEAN

3 starred reviews!

“A fascinating debut with shades of gothic fantasy and contemporary thriller, wrapped in a narrative full of vivid and detailed characters and worldbuilding, and an unusual premise.”–Library Journal, starred review

“A powerful queer story about difference that refuses to flinch away from difficult choices or the impact of trauma, both generational and inflicted. Readers will devour this compelling, rich fantasy.”–Booklist, starred review

“The fascinating magic system, impeccable and unusual worldbuilding, and well-shaded characters will keep readers riveted through every twist of this wild ride. Gothic fantasy fans will want to snap up this thrilling tale.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA BY RAY NAYLER

2 starred reviews!

“This compelling sf debut is impossible to put down, a delightful embroidery of the rush of scientific discovery and the pain of isolation, asking hard questions about what society is and what it means to truly understand another creature.”–Booklist, starred review

“Subplots…expertly weave into the narrative while also offering readers a broader understanding of the political and technological state of this near-future world. As entertaining as it is intellectually rigorous, this taut exploration of human—and inhuman—consciousness is a knockout.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

LEGENDS & LATTES: A NOVEL OF HIGH FANTASY AND LOW STAKES BY TRAVIS BALDREE

“LEGENDS & LATTES is a novel, and shop, that will delight anyone who enjoys coffee-shop alternate universes, slow-burn romances, and the vindication of friendship.”–Booklist, starred review

THE BONE ORCHARD BY SARA A. MUELLER

“Mueller sets the scene in rich detail and allows readers to sink deeply into the gothic world she has created. With equal parts magic and mystery, Mueller weaves together psychological tension and character-driven plots that will keep readers guessing until the very end.”–Booklist, starred review

THE GENESIS OF MISERY BY NEON YANG

“Themes of faith, suffering, queerness, and duty are given plenty of room to breathe as Misery and their ragtag gang of friends struggle to navigate a universe as complex and gorgeously rendered as it is hostile to those on its margins. This is a triumph.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

NOVELLA

A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN-SHY: A MONK AND ROBOT BOOK BY BECKY CHAMBERS

2 starred reviews!

“Leisurely prose firmly roots setting and characters, with a nonbinary lead and non-traditional family structures, plus finely balanced introspection and interaction. The story is thoughtful, with a gentleness that is as encompassing as any action-filled work.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Quiet and contemplative, empathic and warmhearted, this masterful sequel builds on the themes of the first volume to posit a more sustainable, more caring way of life. It’s both truly comforting and endlessly thought-provoking.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

EVEN THOUGH I KNEW THE END BY C.L. POLK

2 starred reviews!

“Polk’s world, where angels answer the prayers of the faithful while demons prey on the fallen, turns standard concepts of good and evil on their heads as the heroine learns that her world is not what she thought it was.”–Library Journal, starred review

“With an achingly bittersweet tribute to the lesbian underground of the 1940s, this is a must-read for those who like their queer fantasy with a little grit and a lot of soul (pun intended).”–Booklist, starred review

INTO THE RIVERLANDS: A SINGING HILLS CYCLE NOVEL BY NGHI VO

“Vo expertly weaves myths and histories of this fantastical land throughout, while also offering readers a deeper understanding of Chih themself, a character who may have been left as a framing device in lesser hands. The result is a pitch-perfect series installment.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

SERVANT MAGE BY KATE ELLIOTT

“Elliott uses a relatable main character and a complex and intriguing setting to dive into the consequences of revolution with an eye toward class and power dynamics; readers will be left wanting more.”–Booklist

A MIRROR MENDED: A FRACTURED FABLES NOVEL BY ALIX E. HARROW

“The fine line between villainy and heroism blurs to nothingness as Zinnia learns that even a villain can be a hero and that love can conquer both tyranny and fate if you are willing to write your own story.”–Library Journal

HIGH TIMES IN THE LOW PARLIAMENT BY KELLY ROBSON

“The story trips along as Lana charms her way into love, friendship, and surprising herself most of all, power…Readers who like their political fantasies and power trips to go down with a spoonful of sugar will eat this up.”–Library Journal

NOVELETTE

“A DREAM OF ELECTRIC MOTHERS” BY WOLE TALABI, FROM AFRICA RISEN, EDITED BY SHEREE RENEE THOMAS, OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI, AND ZELDA KNIGHT

2 starred reviews!

“These stories enchant, surprise, and provoke and are a significant addition to the canon of modern speculative fiction.”–Booklist, starred review

“This weighty sampler is best read slowly to give each writer their due before moving on to the next. It’s an impressive survey of contemporary Black SFF that should be a must-read for all genre fans.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“IN MERCY, RAIN”: A TOR.COM ORIGINAL BY SEANAN MCGUIRE

Twelve-year-old Jack Walcott and her twin sister descend into an underworld in which people can experiment with the unimaginable and even defy death.

SHORT STORY

“D.I.Y”: A TOR.COM ORIGINAL BY JOHN WISWELL

When the students and faculty at a prestigious academy cannot figure out how to solve a relentless drought, two magicians step in to take a crack at it.

ANTHOLOGY

THE WAY SPRING ARRIVES AND OTHER STORIES: A COLLECTION OF CHINESE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY IN TRANSLATION FROM A VISIONARY TEAM OF FEMALE AND NONBINARY CREATORS EDITED BY YU CHEN & REGINA KANYU WANG

“The essays provided in the collection also help give some context to some of the issues of translation of certain stories and to the place of women writers of genre fiction in the current Chinese-fiction landscape.”–Booklist, starred review

SCREAMS FROM THE DARK: 29 TALES OF MONSTERS AND THE MONSTROUS EDITED BY ELLEN DATLOW

“With so many talented authors represented, there is also a satisfyingly wide arc of writing styles, settings, types of monster, and range of fear induced, from psychological dread to visceral terror to darkly humorous, with all stops in between.”–Library Journal

AFRICA RISEN: A NEW ERA OF SPECULATIVE FICTION BY SHEREE RENEE THOMAS & OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI & ZELDA KNIGHT

2 starred reviews!

“These stories enchant, surprise, and provoke and are a significant addition to the canon of modern speculative fiction.”–Booklist, starred review

“This weighty sampler is best read slowly to give each writer their due before moving on to the next. It’s an impressive survey of contemporary Black SFF that should be a must-read for all genre fans.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

COLLECTIONS

ILLUMINATIONS: STORIES BY ALAN MOORE

“Legendary graphic novelist Moore (Watchmen) further burnishes his reputation in his first prose collection, which features nine career-spanning tales.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

SWEEP OF STARS: AN ASTRA BLACK NOVEL by Maurice Broaddus; 9781250264947; available now
THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETY by John Scalzi; 9781250878533; available now
THE SPARE MAN by Mary Robinette Kowal; 9781250829177; available now
GOLIATH by Tochi Onyebuchi; 9781250814487; available now
NETTLE AND BONE by T. Kingfisher; 9781250244000; available now
NONA THE NINTH: A LOCKED TOMB SERIES NOVEL by Tamsyn Muir; 9781250854117; available now
SIREN QUEEN by Nghi Vo; 9781250788832; available now
THE GRIEF OF STONES: A CEMETERIES OF AMALO NOVEL by Katherine Addison; 9781250813893; available now
SPEAR by Nicola Griffith; 9781250819321; available now
ROAD OF BONES by Christopher Golden; 9781250875181; available now
JUST LIKE HOME by Sarah Gailey; 9781250174727; available now
SUNDIAL by Catriona Ward; 9781250812704; available now
WHAT MOVES THE DEAD by T. Kingfisher; 9781250830753; available now
ECHO by Thomas Olde Heuvelt; 9781250759566; available now
DREAMS BIGGER THAN HEARTBREAK: AN UNSTOPPABLE NOVEL by Charlie Jane Anders; 9781250317407; available now
THE BOOK EATERS by Sunyi Dean; 9781250810182; available now
THE MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA by Ray Nayler; 9780374605957; available now
LEGENDS & LATTES: A NOVEL OF HIGH FANTASY AND LOW STAKES by Travis Baldree; 9781250886088; available now
THE BONE ORCHARD by Sara A. Mueller; 9781250776969; available now
THE GENESIS OF MISERY by Neon Yang; 9781250788979; available now
A PRAYER FOR THE CROWN-SHY: A MONK AND ROBOT BOOK by Becky Chambers; 9781250236234; available now
EVEN THOUGH I KNEW THE END by C.L. Polk; 9781250849458; available now
INTO THE RIVERLANDS: A SINGING HILLS CYCLE NOVEL by Nghi Vo; 9781250851420; available now
SERVANT MAGE by Kate Elliott; 9781250769053; available now
A MIRROR MENDED: A FRACTURED FABLES NOVEL by Alix E. Harrow; 9781250766649; available now
HIGH TIMES IN THE LOW PARLIAMENT by Kelly Robson; 9781250823021; available now
“A DREAM OF ELECTRIC MOTHERS” BY WOLE TALABI, FROM AFRICA RISEN, EDITED BY SHEREE RENEE THOMAS, OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EKPEKI, AND ZELDA KNIGHT; 9781250833006; available now
“IN MERCY, RAIN”: A TOR.COM ORIGINAL by Seanan McGuire; 9781250875129; available now
“D.I.Y”: A TOR.COM ORIGINAL by John Wiswell; 9781250870209; available now
THE WAY SPRING ARRIVES AND OTHER STORIES: A COLLECTION OF CHINESE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY IN TRANSLATION FROM A VISIONARY TEAM OF FEMALE AND NONBINARY CREATORS edited by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang; 9781250768940; available now
SCREAMS FROM THE DARK: 29 TALES OF MONSTERS AND THE MONSTROUS edited by Ellen Datlow; 9781250797063; available now
AFRICA RISEN: A NEW ERA OF SPECULATIVE FICTION by Sheree Renee Thomas & Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki & Zelda Knight; 9781250833006; available now
ILLUMINATIONS: STORIES by Alan Moore; 9781635578805; available now