“When I was a kid, I was pretty obsessed with 'The Princess and the Pea.' I'm still not sure why. Something about that image of twenty featherbeds and twenty mattresses? It's not a story with a lot of psychological resonance so apparently kid me just wanted a magical trip to Ikea.”

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.