Jessica Rubinkowski grew up on a farm in Illinois and now lives in Central Illinois with her family. The Bright & the Pale is her debut novel.
Sparkling and sumptuous, Rubinkowski's adventurous debut crackles with tension and yearning. I was so transported into Strana's icy world, I saw my breath in the air as the pages flew by. -- Erin A. Craig, <em>New York Times b</em>estselling author of <em>House of Salt and Sorrows</em> The Bright & the Pale is an action-packed adventure set in a richly detailed world where you never know who to trust and the twists keep coming! I was riveted right up until the final startling page. -- Amy Ewing, <em>New York </em>Times bestselling author of <em>The Jewel</em> The icy atmosphere of this Russian-inflected debut novel is vividly rendered, and the briskly paced plot moves the story along through multiple twists, turns, and betrayals. An atmospheric series opener well suited for a cold winter's night. -- <em>Kirkus Reviews</em> Debut author Rubinkowski paints a vivid picture of this mythological, Russia-esque land where fairy tales come to life and adventure rolls over every page. A riveting fantasy tale. Hand this to readers who enjoy Leigh Bardugo and are looking for a similar fantasy world to dive into. -- School Library Journal Rubinkowski's Russian-inspired fantasy offers a fast, page-turning pace while offering a little bit of everything, expertly balancing elements of thriller, action, and romance. Readers will have a hard time putting this down. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books