Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who created the internationally beloved Grishaverse, one of the most expansive and popular fantasy universes in young adult literature. Her debut novel, Shadow and Bone, was published in 2012 and introduced readers to a unique magic system inspired by Russian folklore and culture, launching a series that would grow to include multiple interconnected books and eventually a Netflix adaptation.
Bardugo's breakout success came with Six of Crows in 2015, a heist fantasy featuring a diverse crew of morally gray characters that has been widely praised as one of the best YA fantasy novels ever written. The duology, completed with Crooked Kingdom, showcased her talent for complex plotting, witty dialogue, and deeply flawed yet compelling characters. She has since expanded the Grishaverse with the King of Scars duology and continues to develop the universe through additional projects.
Beyond the Grishaverse, Bardugo has written standalone novels including Ninth House, a dark adult fantasy set at Yale University that launched a new series, and various other works spanning YA and adult fantasy. Her writing is characterized by intricate world-building, sharp prose, representation of diverse characters and identities, and a willingness to explore darker themes. She has received numerous awards and accolades, and her influence on contemporary fantasy, particularly in terms of representation and genre-blending, has been significant.
