This author crafts stories for middle-grade and young adult readers, engaging with their own work on a personal level. Their writing journey began with early creative pursuits, from sketching comics to participating in high school musicals, ultimately leading them to focus on storytelling. After pursuing a master's degree in children's writing, they now dedicate themselves to reading and writing. Their narrative style is informed by a deep appreciation for literature, evident in their ever-growing collection of beloved books.
They fend for themselves, each training their Little Brother to survive - until they grow into men and it's time for their Leaving Day. . .An imaginative world with the glint of originality . . . richly conceived' Sunday TimesThe writing [is] sharp and funny, the boys [are] an arresting mixture of toughness and tenderness' Guardian
Return to the gritty medieval world of the Bear Highen in this thrilling high fantasy follow-up to The Bear House. The war in the Bear Highen is over. Aster, at thirteen, has defeated her uncle and become the High Queen. Peace is good, but things are still difficult: political challenges confront her, personal challenges stymie her, and the massive Hemoth Bear, symbol of the House of the Bear, is beginning to resist her control. When, during a royal hunt, Aster stumbles on a young girl living in a nest of wyverns, matters become even more complex. Because this girl is not a girl at all. She is a living star, come down from her constellation, on a mission both terrible and glorious. And there is no shortage of those who want to use her cosmic powers for their own ends—rival kings, rival friends, and even three deadly sisters from the plane of demons, one of whom has an offer for Aster she may find it difficult to refuse.... A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
"Moody Aster and her spoiled sister Ursula are the daughters of Jasper Lourdes, Major of Bears and lord of all the realm. Rivals, both girls dream of becoming the Bear queen someday, although neither really deserve to, having no particular talent in... well, anything. But when their Uncle Bram murders their father in a bid for the crown, the girls are forced onto the run, along with lowly Dev the Bearkeeper and the Lourdes's half-grown grizzly Alcor, symbol of their house. As a bitter struggle for the throne consumes the kingdom in civil war, the sisters must rely on Dev, the bear cub, and each other to survive--and find wells of courage, cunning, and skill they never knew they had." -- Goodreads.com
In a gritty medieval world where the ruling houses are based on the constellations, betrayal, intrigue, and a king's murder force the royal sisters of the Bear House on the run! Moody Aster and her spoiled sister Ursula are the daughters of Jasper Lourdes, Bear Major and high king of the realm. Rivals, both girls dream of becoming the Bear queen someday, although neither really deserve to, having no particular talent in... well, anything. But when their Uncle Bram murders their father in a bid for the crown, the girls are forced onto the run, along with lowly Dev the Bearkeeper and the half-grown grizzly Alcor, symbol of their house. As a bitter struggle for the throne consumes the kingdom in civil war, the sisters must rely on Dev, the bear cub, and each other to survive—and find wells of courage, cunning, and skill they never knew they had. "An epic, complex narrative."—Publishers Weekly "Stellar… Thrilling… Enchanting."—Kirkus Reviews "Truly wonderful."—School Library Journal A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Storms rage over the immensely tall tower blocks, attracted to Movers. And moving your Shadow is highly illegal. Patrick knows all too well what happens if you break the law: his father has been in the Shelves ever since he moved his Shadow.