“Everything has taken on a strange, distant quality - the sounds of running and shouting outside get warped and weird like they're being filtered through water, and Alex looks miles away. I start to think I might be dreaming, or about to pass”

Lauren Oliver is an American novelist and screenwriter. She gained recognition for her YA fantasy series *The Shadow Children*, which explores themes of family, identity, and hidden worlds. Her work blends intricate world-building with emotional depth, appealing to both young and adult readers.