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. She has spent her whole life creating imaginary worlds, and in addition to writing is also an avid larper and tabletop gamer. Melissa graduated with honours in creative writing from Brown University and has an MFA in fiction from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her 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 sword-fighting in ballgowns.
Caruso is a terrific writer who weaves fascinating and intricate fantasy tales -- GRIMDARK MAGAZINE This is a truly excellent fantasy, and an epic beginning for a new trilogy. I can't wait to see what [Caruso] does next -- LOCUS on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER With this novel, Melissa Caruso solidifies herself as one of my favourite authors. The Obsidian Tower is a masterpiece of character driven fantasy . . . I was enthralled from the first page -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEW on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER Block out time to binge this can't-stop story filled with danger and unexpected disaster . . . The Obsidian Tower is a must-read for lovers of high fantasy -- C. L. Polk, World Fantasy Award-winning author Caruso's world-building is brilliant and complex -- LIBRARY JOURNAL A classic, breathtaking adventure brim-full of dangerous magic and clever politics. This is a book that will thrill and delight any fantasy fan -- Tasha Suri on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER Populated by a vibrant cast of characters and an intricate setting that's practically a character itself, The Obsidian Tower deftly balances two of my favorite things: razor sharp politics and characters investigating weird, dark magic. A must read for all fantasy fans -- Emily A. Duncan, on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER Brimming with delights: gripping suspense, bombastic magic, political scheming, fascinating creatures and ill-advised romance. Yet what I love most is that at its heart, it is simply the story of a young woman opening herself up to the world and embracing her own potential -- Jon Skovron on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER Melissa Caruso's sparkling The Obsidian Tower combines a fresh fantasy world with resonant characters and sweeps them into a plot full of political intrigue and magical chaos -- Rowenna Miller on THE OBSIDIAN TOWER