Kiersten White (born July 24, 1974) is an American author of young adult, fantasy, and science‑fiction novels. She is known for series such as The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August (co‑author), The Shadowlands series, The Gravedigger Trilogy, and the Paranormalcy series, as well as for standalone novels including The Rules of Magic (a prequel to the Throne of Glass series) and The Six (a re‑imagining of the myth of the six daughters of Eve).
Early life and education
White was raised in The Woodlands, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan.
Writing career
White’s debut novel, The Lost Hours, was published in 2010 by HarperTeen. She gained notable commercial and critical success with The Gravedigger Trilogy (2013–2015), which blends paranormal romance with contemporary teenage drama. In 2014, she launched the Paranormalcy series, beginning with Paranormalcy, a novel that received a nomination for the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature.
In 2019, White contributed The Rules of Magic to the Throne of Glass universe, a prequel novel set in the world created by Sarah J. Maas. The book was a New York Times bestseller and was later nominated for the Indies Choice Book Award.
White has also written for Marvel Comics, contributing to the Doctor Strange and A‑Force series.
Themes and style
Her works frequently explore themes of identity, destiny, and the intersection of the supernatural with everyday life. White is noted for incorporating mythological and folkloric elements into contemporary settings, often featuring strong, complex female protagonists.
Awards and recognition
- 2015 Inky Awards, Best Speculative Fiction (for The Gravedigger Trilogy)
- 2019 New York Times bestseller list (for The Rules of Magic)
- Multiple nominations for the Bram Stoker Award and the Locus Award
Bibliography (selected)
Novels
- The Lost Hours (2010)
- The Gravedigger Trilogy: The Gravedigger's Daughter (2013), The Gravedigger's Son (2014), The Gravedigger's Wife (2015)
- Paranormalcy series: Paranormalcy (2014), Supernaturally (2015), The Supernaturalist (2016)
- The Rules of Magic (2019) – Throne of Glass universe
- The Six (2021)
Comics
- Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2017) – co‑writer
- A‑Force (Marvel, 2018) – co‑writer
Personal life
White resides in Washington, D.C., with her family. She is active in the literary community, participating in panels, writer’s workshops, and advocacy for literacy programs.
References
- White, Kiersten. The Rules of Magic. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.
- "Kiersten White." Contemporary Authors. Gale, 2020.
- "Kiersten White Biography." Penguin Random House. Accessed June 2026.
This entry reflects information available up to June 2026 and adheres to verified sources.