Author Crush: Holly Black

Holly Black! If you are looking for a creepy read  for Halloween or just some really fun fantasy, Holly is your girl. She co-wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, about a trio of siblings who move into their late uncle's house. They quickly discover that the backyard is overrun with evil fairies and nixies and goblins and all manner of nasty little creatures bent on taking over the world. With the help of a reluctant house brownie, fencing skills, and a lot of determination, they fight the good fight, but you will have to read the series to find out if they succeed. 

She is currently co-writing a series with Cassandra Claire of Shadowhunter fame, called the Magisterium. The Iron Trial introduces Callum, who endeavors to fail the trials that would admit him to the Magisterium (his world's version of Hogwarts) only to be drawn into its ranks against his will and forced to confront dark elements from his past. It's sequel, the Copper Gauntlet, was just released last month. Come up to Jh to check them out!

Black is also the author of two trilogies: the Curser Workers trilogy house in TN, a story about a society run by a different kind of magic. The books follow Cassel, who comes from a family of magical con artists and has done a few not-so-ethical things of his own. When he starts a new school, he just wants to escape his past and get through high school. Unfortunately for him, his past won't leave him alone. Check out the trailer below:

Her other trilogy explores the Faery realm in odd and oh-so-dark: Tithe tells the story of two rival Faerie Kingdoms fighting for power with a human girl named Kaye stuck right in the middle. Who will rule New Jersey? And will Kaye make it out of the fight alive?  Valiant follows Valerie, who has befriended an unusal group and is now bound into service of an actual troll. Ironside returns to follow Kaye again, a little older and now back in Faeryland to try and complete a nearly-impossible quest that will release the crown prince of Faery from the spell of the faery queen who holds him in thrall. Will she succeed? Read to find out!

Black has written several fantastic stand-alone titles. In the Darkest Part of the Forest Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be. At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking. Until one day, he does…and chaos breaks out in their little town. Can Hazel and Ben stop the darkness from spreading before the entire town is consumed?

In the Coldest Girl in Coldtown, Tana wakes up the morning after a party and finds all but party's host killed by vampires, her ex-boyfriend Aidan tied up and infected, and her only help a strange vampire who claims to be on the run from the pack who killed her friends. Overwhelmed and in shock, she quickly finds herself on her way to Coldtown, where the vampires rule and humans rarely walk out alive. Can her survial instinct keep her on her feet, or will she lose herself and all those she loves?

Holly has co-edited three short-story collections: Welcome to Bordertown, Geektastic, and Zombies vs Unicorns, all of which are amazing. If you have not read Zombies vs Unicorns yet, what are you doing with your life? Seriously, you're missing out.

Holly Black is easily one of the best authors I have ever read. If you love dark fantasy, you are bound to love her, too.