“I think in YA there's sometimes a temptation to create heroines who are infinitely resilient and wise and confident because those are the behaviors we want to see teens embrace and maybe we want to see those things in ourselves.”

Leigh Bardugo is an American author of young adult and adult fantasy. She is best known for her Grishaverse series, which includes *Shadow and Bone* and *Six of Crows*, blending intricate world-building with morally complex characters. Her work explores themes of power, identity, and rebellion.