Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. She has worked as a music teacher, opera singer and tax assessor, but is now a full-time writer. Her historical fantasy novels for adult readers are published internationally and have won a number of awards. Raven Flight is Juliet's fifth novel for young adult readers. Her first, Wildwood Dancing, won the 2006 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel; and her second, Cybele's Secret, won the 2008 Sir Julius Vogel Award, given to the best young adult novel.