Melissa Caruso was born on the summer solstice and went to school in an old mansion with a secret door, but despite this auspicious beginning has yet to develop any known superpowers. Melissa has spent her whole life creating imaginary worlds, and in addition to writing is also an avid larper and tabletop gamer. She graduated with honors in Creative Writing from Brown University and has an MFA in Fiction from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Melissa's first novel, The Tethered Mage, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Morningstar award for best fantasy debut. Melissa lives in Massachusetts with her video game designer husband, two magical daughters, and assorted pets. You can find her on Twitter, where she posts about writing, tea and swordfighting in ballgowns.
I've been dying to get my hands on The Defiant Heir . . . My expectations were extremely high-and the book went in a totally different direction from what I expected. In the best possible way. . . I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this series -- GIRLS IN CAPES Freaking AWESOME . . . it's one of the best first novels in a brand new high fantasy series that I've read in ages . . Absolutely recommended and on my shortlist for favourite books so far in 2017 -- BOOK SMUGGLERS on THE TETHERED MAGE Centered around a fierce and heroic set of characters, with intricate world-building and a quick pace, Caruso has really hit her fantasy stride with The Defiant Heir -- CULTUREFLY This is a series worth your time . . . The Defiant Heir takes everything that was good about its predecessor and adds depth and weight to make it a more serious and compelling read -- THE QUILL TO LIVE The Tethered Mage is an excellent debut novel that set a high bar for its follow up, but The Defiant Heir takes the series to the next level in every way . . . I absolutely LOVED The Defiant Heir. It's extraordinarily fun with wonderful characters and intriguing mysteries that kept me eagerly anticipating what would happen next . . . I can hardly contain my excitement for the third instalment -- FANTASY BOOK CAFE I love this book and series . . . refreshing and lively fantasy that has characters that I just can't get enough of -- SPECULATIVE HERALD on THE DEFIANT HEIR A dashing, compelling and exciting story, blending magic, assassination, conspiracy and diplomacy . . . I loved this book -- BLUE BOOK BALLOON on THE DEFIANT HEIR Melissa Caruso has taken things to an ENTIRELY new level of awesome with The Defiant Heir . . . I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book -- POWDER AND PAGE