Licia Troisi (born 27 November 1980) is an Italian fantasy writer. She is best known for her Cronache del Mondo Emerso (Chronicles of the Overworld) trilogy, which achieved significant commercial success and made her one of Italy's most prominent fantasy authors. Beyond her literary career, Troisi also holds a degree in astrophysics.
Early Life and Education
Licia Troisi was born in Rome, Italy. From an early age, she harbored a passion for both literature and science. She pursued her scientific interests by studying physics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where she ultimately earned a degree in astrophysics. Her background in science often subtly influences her approach to world-building and magic systems in her fantasy novels, lending them a degree of internal consistency and detail.
Literary Career
Troisi began writing at a young age, and her first novel, Nihal della Terra del Vento (Nihal of the Wind Land), was published in 2004 when she was 23 years old. This book was the first installment of The Chronicles of the Overworld trilogy, which quickly became a bestseller in Italy and was subsequently translated into numerous languages, gaining her international recognition.
Her writing style is characterized by epic scope, intricate plotlines, and a focus on compelling character development, particularly featuring strong female protagonists. Her worlds are often rich in lore, with detailed political structures, magical systems, and diverse races.
Following the success of her debut trilogy, Troisi continued to expand the "Overworld" universe with two more trilogies: Guerre del Mondo Emerso (The Wars of the Overworld) and Leggende del Mondo Emerso (The Legends of the Overworld). She has also ventured into other fantasy series and standalone novels, showcasing her versatility within the genre.
Themes and Style
Licia Troisi's works typically fall within the subgenre of epic fantasy, often incorporating elements of coming-of-age stories. Common themes include:
- Good versus Evil: A fundamental conflict, though often explored with moral ambiguity and complex character motivations.
- Destiny and Free Will: Characters frequently grapple with prophecies and their own choices.
- Friendship and Loyalty: Strong bonds between characters are a recurring element.
- Identity and Belonging: Protagonists often embark on journeys of self-discovery.
- Magic Systems: Her magic systems are usually well-defined, often with specific rules and limitations, reflecting a rational approach influenced by her scientific background.
Her narratives are known for their fast pace, engaging action sequences, and emotional depth.
Works
The Overworld Series
- Cronache del Mondo Emerso (The Chronicles of the Overworld)
- Nihal della Terra del Vento (Nihal of the Wind Land, 2004)
- La missione di Sennar (Sennar's Mission, 2004)
- Il talismano del potere (The Talisman of Power, 2005)
- Guerre del Mondo Emerso (The Wars of the Overworld)
- La setta degli assassini (The Guild of Assassins, 2006)
- Le due guerriere (The Two Warriors, 2007)
- Un nuovo regno (A New Kingdom, 2007)
- Leggende del Mondo Emerso (The Legends of the Overworld)
- Il destino di Adhara (Adhara's Destiny, 2008)
- Figlia del sangue (Daughter of Blood, 2009)
- Gli ultimi eroi (The Last Heroes, 2010)
La ragazza drago (The Dragon Girl) Series
- L'eredità di Thuban (Thuban's Legacy, 2008)
- L'albero di Idhunn (Idhunn's Tree, 2009)
- La clessidra di Aldibah (Aldibah's Hourglass, 2010)
- I gemelli di Kuma (Kuma's Twins, 2011)
- L'ultima battaglia di Saevus (Saevus' Last Battle, 2012)
I Regni di Nashira (The Realms of Nashira) Series
- Il sogno di Talitha (Talitha's Dream, 2012)
- Le due stelle (The Two Stars, 2013)
- Il sacrificio (The Sacrifice, 2014)
- Il destino di Fizar (Fizar's Destiny, 2015)
Pandora Series
- Pandora (Pandora, 2015)
- Il risveglio di Shardana (Shardana's Awakening, 2016)
- L'ultimo eroe (The Last Hero, 2017)
La Saga del Dominio (The Dominion Saga) Series
- Le lame di Myra (Myra's Blades, 2018)
- Il fuoco di Skan (Skan's Fire, 2019)
- La luce di Ninea (Ninea's Light, 2020)
Standalone Novels and Other Works
- I dannati di Malva (The Damned of Malva, 2016)
- Tigra (Tigra, 2017)
- Storie perdute del Mondo Emerso (Lost Stories of the Overworld, 2019) (Short story collection)
- Mondo Emerso – I primi trent’anni (Overworld – The First Thirty Years, 2023)
External Links
- Official Website (Italian)