Leigh Bardugo

Biography

Leigh Bardugo is an American novelist and fantasy writer widely recognized for creating imaginative fictional worlds, compelling characters, and stories filled with magic, adventure, and supernatural elements. She gained international recognition through her bestselling Grishaverse novels, which include the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, and the King of Scars duology.

Born in Jerusalem and raised in Southern California, Bardugo graduated from Yale University with a degree in English. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked in advertising, journalism, and makeup and special effects. Her debut novel, Shadow and Bone, was published in 2012 and introduced readers to the fictional world of Ravka and the Grisha, people with magical abilities.

She later expanded the Grishaverse with several successful novels, including Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, Crooked Kingdom, King of Scars, and Rule of Wolves. Her adult fantasy debut, Ninth House (2019), received widespread acclaim for its dark supernatural themes and mysterious storytelling. Its sequel, Hell Bent, continued the story.

Bardugo also wrote Wonder Woman: Warbringer, part of the DC Icons series, and the illustrated story collection The Language of Thorns. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and attracted readers worldwide. The Grishaverse novels were adapted into the Netflix television series Shadow and Bone, further expanding her popularity. She continues to be recognized as one of the prominent contemporary authors in fantasy literature.