Readers of science fiction and fantasy–or those curious to dive into the genres–it’s time to rejoice. The finalists for the 2025 Locus Awards are here.
Finalists below were selected based on public votes. The winners in each of the categories will be announced June 21, at the Locus Awards Ceremony. Held in Nile Hall at Preservation Park in Oakland, California, the awards ceremony can be attended by anyone, and this year’s event will be hosted by MC Gail Carriger and special guests Tochi Onyebuchi and Sarah Gailey. Tickets are available here.
Ten finalists are named in each category. Dive on into some of the categories below.
Science Fiction Novel
The Man Who Saw Seconds by Alexander Boldizar
Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera
The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
The Bezzle by Cory Doctorow
The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Older
Kinning by Nisi Shawl
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Space Oddity by Catherynne M. Valente
Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer
Fantasy Novel
I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Asunder by Kerstin Hall
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
The Siege of Burning Grass by Premee Mohamed
Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
Horror Novel
Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin
House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias
The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
The Wilding by Ian McDonald
Forgotten Sisters by Cynthia Pelayo
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
The Underhistory by Kaaron Warren
Check out the full list of categories and finalists on the Locus Magazine website, including Young Adult Novel, First Novel, Novella, Short Story, Anthology, Publisher, Artist, Non-Fiction, and more.
Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.
Source : Read the Best of SFF with the 2025 Locus Awards Finalists
