Living Canon

Locus Awards 2012: Complete list of winners

The 2012 Locus Awards showcased some of speculative fiction’s most ambitious and imaginative work, cementing a year where genre literature refused to stay within expected boundaries. George R. R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons claimed the Best Fantasy Novel prize, continuing the juggernaut of his series with a book that expanded the scope of epic fantasy to dizzying proportions. Meanwhile, China Miéville’s Embassytown won Best Science Fiction Novel, proving the celebrated author’s ability to craft mind-bending linguistic puzzles wrapped in genuinely moving human drama. These heavyweight victories reminded readers why the Locus Awards—often called the “Oscars of science fiction and fantasy” by fans and professionals alike—matter so much to the field.

What made this particular Locus Awards ceremony especially noteworthy was how openly it welcomed newcomers and writers working in unexpected directions. Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus took the Best First Novel award in a stunning debut that blended historical fiction sensibilities with pure fantasy enchantment, signaling that fresh voices could compete alongside established titans. Perhaps most delightfully, Catherynne M. Valente’s The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making won Best Young Adult Book, a whimsical, literary adventure that proved YA literature could be experimental without sacrificing the wonder that draws readers to fantasy in the first place.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 2012 Locus Awards winners across all major categories:

Best Fantasy Novel

Best First Novel

Best Science Fiction Novel

Best Young Adult Book