“You know, Aunt Tasha makes jokes about how youʹd actually be a better queen than the others, except sometimes . . . I donʹt think sheʹs joking.”

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.