“The oligarchs do not care what justice is, only what seems just. They do not care what mercy is, only what appears merciful. Thus justice and mercy will always escape them.”

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.