Leigh Bardugo

Author

Leigh Bardugo is an American author whose richly imagined Grishaverse fantasy novels have made her one of the most successful and influential fantasy writers of her generation. Her work has spawned a global fandom, a hit Netflix television series, and has redefined what young adult and crossover fantasy can achieve. Born in Jerusalem in... 1975 and raised in Los Angeles, Bardugo studied English at Yale University. She worked in journalism, copywriting, and makeup effects before publishing her debut novel. She has been open about living with osteonecrosis, a chronic condition that has required multiple surgeries and the use of a cane. The Shadow and Bone trilogy (2012-2014) introduced the Grishaverse — a fantasy world inspired by Tsarist Russia, with a distinctive magic system based on manipulating matter at its most fundamental level. The trilogy follows Alina Starkov, an orphan who discovers she has a rare and powerful ability. While successful, it was the Six of Crows duology (2015-2016) that elevated Bardugo to superstar status — a heist story set in the same world, following a crew of six outcasts, that was praised for its plotting, its diverse characters, and its moral complexity. King of Scars and Rule of Wolves continued the Grishaverse story. The Netflix series Shadow and Bone brought her world to a massive new audience. Bardugo has also written the Alex Stern series for adults — dark, contemporary fantasy set at Yale involving secret societies and the supernatural — beginning with Ninth House (2019) and Hell Bent (2023). The audiobook editions of Bardugo's novels are immersive experiences, with multi-cast performances and narrators who bring the Grishaverse and its characters to vivid life. Her books and audiobooks are essential for fantasy fans who love intricate world-building, morally complex characters, and stories where the outcasts get to be the heroes. Read more Show less