Living Canon

Locus Awards 1997: Complete list of winners

The 1997 Locus Awards showcased the remarkable range and vitality of science fiction, fantasy, and horror at the close of the twentieth century. Readers voting for the Locus Awards—often called the “Oscars of science fiction”—demonstrated their appetite for both established masters and exciting new voices. George R. R. Martin’s sweeping A Game of Thrones claimed the fantasy prize, signaling that readers were ready for the dark, politically complex fantasy epic that would eventually reshape the entire genre. Stephen King’s Desperation took horror honors, while Kim Stanley Robinson’s Blue Mars completed his acclaimed Mars trilogy and secured the science fiction novel award, cementing Robinson’s place as one of the decade’s most important SF voices.

Perhaps most significantly, the debut category highlighted an influx of fresh talent entering the field. Sarah Zettel’s Reclamation and Sage Walker’s first novel both earned recognition as Best First Novel, reflecting the Locus Awards’ commitment to identifying emerging writers who would shape speculative fiction’s future. These winners—selected by the passionate readers who make the Locus Awards the longest-running and most credible fan-voted award in science fiction—paint a picture of a field at a dynamic crossroads, honoring both the titans of the era and the newcomers ready to challenge the status quo.

Best Fantasy Novel

Best First Novel

Best Horror Novel

Best Science Fiction Novel