“It was a lame excuse, and I knew that wasn't the reason he was canceling. If he wanted to avoid me, I would have preferred he made up something about how he and the other guardians had to up Moroi security or practice top-secret ninja moves.”

American author of the *Vampire Academy* series and other young adult fantasy novels, Mead blends gothic romance with sharp character studies. She’s best known for her morally complex heroines and richly detailed world-building, often exploring themes of loyalty, power, and identity.