“But the trick most folk are so awfully fond of learning, the absolute second they've got hold of a heart, is to pretend they don't have one at all. It is the very first danger of the hearted.”

Catherynne M. Valente is an American fantasy and science fiction writer. She blends myth, folklore, and speculative fiction to create richly imaginative narratives that explore identity, history, and the supernatural. Her work often reimagines fairy tales and legends with a modern, poetic sensibility.