The World Fantasy Award for Best Novel has been presented each year since 1975 at the World Fantasy Convention, chosen by a panel of judges rather than by popular vote. It honours the year’s finest fantasy novel, drawing on the whole breadth of the field from high fantasy and fairy tale to its darker and more literary edges. Its winners run from Gene Wolfe and Ursula K. Le Guin to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and Haruki Murakami. Several years have ended in a tie, with two novels sharing the award. This list collects the winning novels by year.
The Tainted Cup
Robert Jackson Bennett
2025
The Reformatory
Tananarive Due
2024
Saint Death's Daughter
C. S. E. Cooney
2023
The Jasmine Throne
Tasha Suri
2022
Trouble the Saints
Alaya Dawn Johnson
2021
Queen of the Conquered
Kacen Callender
2020
Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)
C. L. Polk
2019
Jade City
Fonda Lee
2018
The Changeling
Victor LaValle
2018
The Sudden Appearance of Hope
Catherine Webb
2017
The Chimes
Anna Smaill
2016
The Bone Clocks
David Mitchell
2015
A Stranger in Olondria
Sofia Samatar
2014
Alif the Unseen
G. Willow Wilson
2013
Osama
Lavie Tidhar
2012
Who Fears Death
Nnedi Okorafor
2011
The City & the City
China Miéville
2010
Tender Morsels
Margo Lanagan
2009
The Shadow Year
Jeffrey Ford
2009
Ysabel
Guy Gavriel Kay
2008
Soldier of Sidon
Gene Wolfe
2007
Kafka on the Shore
Haruki Murakami
2006
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
Susanna Clarke
2005
Tooth and Claw
Jo Walton
2004
The Facts of Life
Graham Joyce
2003
Ombria in Shadow
Patricia A. McKillip
2003
The Other Wind
Ursula K. Le Guin
2002
Declare
Tim Powers
2001
Galveston
Sean Stewart
2001
Thraxas
Martin Millar
2000
The Antelope Wife
Louise Erdrich
1999
The Physiognomy
Jeffrey Ford
1998
Godmother Night
Rachel Pollack
1997
The Prestige
Christopher Priest
1996
Towing Jehovah
James Morrow
1995
Glimpses
Lewis Shiner
1994
Last Call
Tim Powers
1993
Boy's Life
Robert R. McCammon
1992
Thomas the Rhymer
Ellen Kushner
1991
Only Begotten Daughter
James Morrow
1991
Madouc
Jack Vance
1990
Koko
Peter Straub
1989
Replay
Ken Grimwood
1988
Perfume
Patrick Süskind
1987
Song of Kali
Dan Simmons
1986
Mythago Wood
Robert Holdstock
1985
Bridge of Birds
Barry Hughart
1985
The Dragon Waiting
John M. Ford
1984
Nifft the Lean
Michael Shea
1983
Little, Big
John Crowley
1982
The Shadow of the Torturer
Gene Wolfe
1981
Watchtower
Elizabeth A. Lynn
1980
Gloriana
Michael Moorcock
1979
Our Lady of Darkness
Fritz Leiber
1978
Doctor Rat
William Kotzwinkle
1977
Bid Time Return
Richard Matheson
1976
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
Patricia A. McKillip
1975