Holly Black Popular Books

Holly Black Biography & Facts

Holly Black (née Riggenbach; born November 10, 1971) is an American writer and editor best known for her children's and young adult fiction. Her most recent work is the New York Times bestselling young adult Folk of the Air series. She is also well known for The Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of children's fantasy books she created with writer and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi, and her debut trilogy of young adult novels officially called the Modern Faerie Tales. Black has won an Eisner Award, a Lodestar Award, a Nebula Award, and a Newbery Honor. Early life and education Black was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey in 1971, and during her early years her family lived in a "decrepit Victorian house." She graduated from Shore Regional High School in 1990. Black graduated with a B.A. in English from The College of New Jersey in 1994. She worked as a production editor on medical journals including The Journal of Pain while studying at Rutgers University. She considered becoming a librarian as a backup career, but writing drew her away. She edited and contributed to the role-playing culture magazine d8 in 1996. Some of the inspiration to write young-adult fiction came from authors such as Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce and Francesca Lia Block. In regards to the fairy tale aspect of her work, she was inspired by creators such as Tanith Lee, Angela Carter, Terri Windling, Ellen Datlow, Pamela Dean, Ellen Kushner, Charles de Lint and Emma Bull. In 1999 she married her high school sweetheart, Theo Black, an illustrator and web designer. In 2008 she was described as residing in Amherst, Massachusetts. Literary career Modern Faerie Tales Black's first novel, Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2002. There have been two sequels set in the same universe featuring different casts. The first, Valiant (2005), won the inaugural Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. By vote of Locus readers for the Locus Awards, Valiant and Ironside (2007) ranked fourth and sixth among the year's young-adult books. The Spiderwick Chronicles In 2003, Black published the first two books of The Spiderwick Chronicles, a collaboration with artist Tony DiTerlizzi. The fifth and last book in the series reached the top of the New York Times Bestseller list in 2004. A film adaptation of the series was released in 2008, of which Black was co-executive producer. The Curse Workers White Cat, the first in her Curse Workers Series, was published in 2010. White Cat was followed by Red Glove (2011) and the trilogy concluded with Black Heart in 2012. In 2011, Black stated that the Curse Workers books had been optioned by Vertigo Pictures and producer Mark Morgan. Magisterium In 2012, Scholastic acquired a five-book series written by Black and Cassandra Clare to be called Magisterium. Its first volume, The Iron Trial, was published on September 9, 2014. The final book in the series, The Golden Tower, was published in 2018. The Folk of the Air The Cruel Prince, first book of The Folk of the Air published in 2017, was critically acclaimed and nominated for the Locus Award and the Lodestar Award. The sequel, The Wicked King (2018), debuted at the No. 1 position of the New York Times Bestseller List and was also nominated for the Lodestar Award. The Queen of Nothing released in November 2019. With that release the series debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Black was interviewed regarding the Folk of the Air series for an article in the March 2024 issue of BookPage magazine before the publication of her 2024 novel The Prisoner's Throne. She discussed the themes of the series with interviewer Jessica Peng. When asked whether or not she anticipated writing the Stolen Air duology after the Folk of the Air series was published, Black replied, "When I got to Queen of Nothing, I realized I wanted to write about Oak and Suren at some point in the future... I don't think knowing that I wanted to revisit those characters changed the course of anything in the Folk of the Air books, but perhaps I did think of them a little more because of it". Standalones A standalone novel, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, was released by Little, Brown and Company in September 2013. Black published a short story of the same name in the vampire anthology The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown was an Andre Norton Award finalist in 2013. Doll Bones was published in May 2013, and was awarded a Newbery Medal and a Mythopoeic Award. The Darkest Part of the Forest was published in 2015. Her first adult fiction novel Book of Night was released in May 2022 by Tor Books. Black has also written dozens of short works and co-edited at least three anthologies of speculative fiction. Bibliography Adult novels Book of Night Duology Book of Night (2022) Thief of Night (TBD) Young adult novels Modern Faerie Tales Trilogy Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale (2002) Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie (2005) Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale (2007) The Curse Workers Trilogy White Cat (2010) Red Glove (2011) Black Heart (2012) The Folk of the Air Trilogy The Cruel Prince (2018) The Lost Sisters (2018, companion novella) The Wicked King (2019) The Queen of Nothing (2019) How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (2020, companion novella) The Stolen Heir Duology (Folk of the Air Spin-Off) The Stolen Heir (2023) The Prisoner's Throne (2024) Standalone novels The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (2013) The Darkest Part of the Forest (2015) Middle grade novels Spiderwick, Black and Tony DiTerlizzi The Spiderwick Chronicles The Field Guide (2003) The Seeing Stone (2003) Lucinda's Secret (2003) The Ironwood Tree (2004) The Wrath of Mulgarath (2004) Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles The Nixie's Song (2007) A Giant Problem (2008) The Wyrm King (2009) Accompanying books Arthur Spiderwick's Notebook of Fantastical Observations (2005) Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (2005) The Spiderwick Chronicles: Care and Feeding of Sprites (2006) Magisterium, Black and Cassandra Clare, illustrator Scott Fischer The Iron Trial (2014) The Copper Gauntlet (2015) The Bronze Key (2016) The Silver Mask (2017) The Golden Tower (2018) Standalone Doll Bones (2013, Newbery Medal Honor book), illus. Eliza Wheeler Heart of the Moors: An Original Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Novel (2019) Graphic novels and comics The Good Neighbors, illus. Ted Naifeh The Good Neighbors: Kin (2008) The Good Neighbors: Kith (2009) The Good Neighbors: Kind (2010) Lucifer Lucifer vol. 1: Cold Heaven (2016, trade paperback) Lucifer vol. 2: Father Lucifer (2017, trade paperback) Lucifer vol. 3: Blood in the Streets (2017, trade paperback) Short fiction Collections The Poison Eaters and Other Stories (2010), illus. Theo Black Short stories "Hades and Persephone" (1997) in Prisoners of the Night "The Night Market" (2004) in The Faery Reel: Tales from a Twilight Realm "Heartless" (2005.... Discover the Holly Black popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Holly Black books.

Best Seller Holly Black Books of 2024

  • Bunnicula synopsis, comments

    Bunnicula

    James Howe & Andrew Donkin

    “Bunnicula rules!” Dav Pilkey, creator of the Captain Underpants seriesCelebrate over forty years of the modern classic Bunnicula with this fangtastic graphic novelization that wil...

  • Werewolf versus Dragon synopsis, comments

    Werewolf versus Dragon

    David Sinden, Matthew Morgan & Guy Macdonald

    The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB) operates a rescue center for werewolves, dragons, fairies, giants, sea monsters, and other fantastical creatures. ...

  • Belle Morte synopsis, comments

    Belle Morte

    Bella Higgin

    There’s only one way outBelle Morte. One of five houses where vampires reside as celebrities and humans are paid to be their living donors. While others came here seeking fortune, ...

  • Unwanted Spy synopsis, comments

    Unwanted Spy

    Jeffrey Sterling

    The powerful story of a CIA whistleblower and political prisoner who refused to give up on his American dreamIn 2015, Jeffrey Sterling was sentenced to prison, convicted of violati...

  • Hunted synopsis, comments

    Hunted

    Bella Higgin

    With the help of Renie and Edmond, the battle for Belle Morte has been fought and won. However, the bigger fight is not over, as enemy vampires have escaped into the city and the f...

  • A Giant Problem synopsis, comments

    A Giant Problem

    Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

    Talk about out of the frying pan, into the fire! I was pretty sure that my freaky stepsister and that freaky field guide of hers would ruin my life. But now it looks like they're g...

  • The Wrath of Mulgarath synopsis, comments

    The Wrath of Mulgarath

    Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

    Three ordinary kids, Jared, Simon, and Wallory Grace, have entered another world without leaving this one! Two remarkable talents, New York Times bestsellers Tony DiTerlizzi and H...

  • Ice synopsis, comments

    Ice

    Sarah Beth Durst

    When Cassie was little she thought her mother had been taken prisoner by trolls because of a deal she’d made with the Polar Bear King. Just a fairy tale to soothe a child whose mot...

  • The Storm Siren Trilogy synopsis, comments

    The Storm Siren Trilogy

    Mary Weber

    Mary Weber’s Storm Siren Trilogy now available in one ecollection!Storm Siren“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidenta...

  • A Dangerous Witch synopsis, comments

    A Dangerous Witch

    Holly Ice

    My life is on the line. And my magic. Witches hate me for my name. They hate me more because they think I murdered my friend Justin Holt. But I was framed. And if I don't clea...

  • Naked City synopsis, comments

    Naked City

    Ellen Datlow

    Featuring original stories from 20 authors, this dark, captivating, fabulous and fantastical collection, Naked City, is not to be missed! Edited by awardwinning editor Ellen Datlow...

  • The Hit List synopsis, comments

    The Hit List

    Holly Seddon

    What would you do if you found your own name on a hit list? Seddon addresses this terrifying question in an explosive novel. One of the most exciting, brave and clever books I have...

  • Lioness Rampant synopsis, comments

    Lioness Rampant

    Tamora Pierce

    Now a knight errant, Alanna goes on a quest for a legendary jewel in this fourth and final book in Tamora Pierce’s Margaret A. Edwards Award–winning young adult seriesnow with a ne...

  • Alanna synopsis, comments

    Alanna

    Tamora Pierce

    A girl disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight in this first book in Tamora Pierce’s Margaret A. Edwards Award–winning young adult seriesnow with a new look!From now on, I’...

  • Strangers on a Skein synopsis, comments

    Strangers on a Skein

    Anne Canadeo

    Romantic entanglements and handcrafted murder tie the Black Sheep knitters in knotswhen the local farmers’ market becomes a haven for a killer . . .  Phoebe Myers, Black Sheep...

  • Road of the Lost synopsis, comments

    Road of the Lost

    Nafiza Azad

    “A beautifully mythic world rich with heart and charming characters, Road of the Lost tells a powerful tale of selfdiscovery that…held me wholly enchanted until the end.” Ashley Sh...

  • A Cruel and Fated Light synopsis, comments

    A Cruel and Fated Light

    Ashley Shuttleworth

    Halffae Arlo becomes entangled in the courtly intrigue at the Seelie Summer palace as danger for ironborns mounts in this “beautifully written and deliciously complex” (Nicki Pau P...

  • The Ironwood Tree synopsis, comments

    The Ironwood Tree

    Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

    First a pack of vile, smelly goblins snatch Simon. Then a band of elves try to entrap Jared. Why is the entire faerie world so eager to get their hands on Spiderwick's Guide? And w...

  • The Field Guide synopsis, comments

    The Field Guide

    Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

    Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles and get ready for the series soon to be streaming on Roku with this first installment in t...

  • When Women Were Dragons synopsis, comments

    When Women Were Dragons

    Kelly Barnhill

    A GOODREADS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR A fiery feminist fantasy tale set in 1950s America where thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons, exploding notions of a w...

  • In the Hand of the Goddess synopsis, comments

    In the Hand of the Goddess

    Tamora Pierce

    Alanna must protect her best friend, the prince, from an evil sorcerer in this second book in Tamora Pierce’s Margaret A. Edwards Award–winning young adult seriesnow with a new loo...

  • A Grim and Sunken Vow synopsis, comments

    A Grim and Sunken Vow

    Ashley Shuttleworth

    Arlo and her friends must decide how far they’re willing to go to depose a cruel ruler in this third book in the Hollow Star Saga that’s The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones.The di...

  • THEY BITE synopsis, comments

    THEY BITE

    Jonathan Maberry & David F. Kramer

    From two awardwinning authors, a collection of horror legends and folklore from the world of supernatural and paranormal storytelling.   The ultimate guidebook to the horrific...

  • A Rebel Witch synopsis, comments

    A Rebel Witch

    Holly Ice

    I'm failing again, but this time family's on the chopping block A fiery old woman guilted me into finding her missing sister, Nellie, but when I land in Mykonos, my psychi...

  • The Wyrm King synopsis, comments

    The Wyrm King

    Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

    Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles and get ready for the series soon to be streaming on Roku with this eighth and final insta...

  • Press Start to Play synopsis, comments

    Press Start to Play

    Daniel H. Wilson & John Joseph Adams

    IT’S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE! TAKE THIS. You are standing in a room filled with books, faced with a difficult decision. Suddenly, one with a distinctive cover catches your ...

  • Bunnicula synopsis, comments

    Bunnicula

    Deborah Howe & James Howe

    This book is written by Harold. His fulltime occupation is dog. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and their sons Toby and Pete. Also sharing the home are a cat named Chester and a ...

  • Revelations synopsis, comments

    Revelations

    Bella Higgin

    Truth comes at a cost.Ever since Renie Mayfield survived the merciless attack on Belle Morte that killed donors and vampires alike, she is forever changed. Now a vampire, the agoni...

  • Return to Hummingbird Way synopsis, comments

    Return to Hummingbird Way

    Reese Ryan

    In this heartwarming small‑town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finally make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are f...

  • An Enchantment of Ravens synopsis, comments

    An Enchantment of Ravens

    Margaret Rogerson

    An instant New York Times bestseller! An Indie Next Top 10 Pick A Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner“A funny, actionpacked, and sweet romance.” School Library Journal (starred rev...

  • Briar Girls synopsis, comments

    Briar Girls

    Rebecca Kim Wells

    “Sexy and dangerous and full of liars.” Maggie TokudaHall, author of The Mermaid, the Witch, and the SeaThe Cruel Prince meets A Curse So Dark and Lonely in this epic reimagining o...

  • Mysteries of Thorn Manor synopsis, comments

    Mysteries of Thorn Manor

    Margaret Rogerson

    In this delightful sequel novella to the New York Times bestselling Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas must unravel the magical trap keeping them inside Thorn Manor...

  • Vespertine synopsis, comments

    Vespertine

    Margaret Rogerson

    An international bestseller!From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling, “dark comingofage adventure” (Culturess)...

  • Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies synopsis, comments

    Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies

    David Sinden, Matthew Morgan & Guy Macdonald

    The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB) operates a rescue center for werewolves, dragons, fairies, giants, sea monsters, and other fantastical creatures. ...

  • Girls of Storm and Shadow synopsis, comments

    Girls of Storm and Shadow

    Natasha Ngan

    In this mesmerizing sequel to the New York Times bestseller Girls of Paper and Fire, Lei and Wren have escaped the oppression of the Hidden Palace, but their freedom comes at a ter...

  • Full-Blooded Fantasy synopsis, comments

    Full-Blooded Fantasy

    Nancy Farmer

    FullBlooded Fantasy is a oneofakind collection featuring selections from eight of the best fantasy novels published today. Experience the remarkable storytelling of acclaimed fanta...

  • The Woman Who Rides Like a Man synopsis, comments

    The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

    Tamora Pierce

    Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert at the edge of Tortall in this third book in Tamora Pierce’s Margaret A. Edwards Award–winning young adult seri...

  • Lost for Words synopsis, comments

    Lost for Words

    Lorelei Mathias

    A witty, highconcept and spellbindingly charming romance by Lorelei Mathias. Fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk will love this unmissable book. Sweetnatured...

  • The Seeds of Wither synopsis, comments

    The Seeds of Wither

    Lauren DeStefano

    Step into the Chemical Garden with an allnew eBook sampler!Discover the world author Lauren DeStefano created in Wither, a riveting dystopian thriller. In the notsodistan...

  • Fantastisches Lesen synopsis, comments

    Fantastisches Lesen

    Robin Hobb, Holly Black, Daniel O'Malley, Lena Kiefer, Ed Mcdonald, Laura Sebastian, Benedict Jacka & William Ritter

    Sie tauchen gerne in fremde Welten ein und suchen neuen fantastischen Lesestoff? Haben Sie Lust einen exklusiven Blick in die deutsche Erstausgabe von Robin Hobbs neuer FantasyTri...

  • Storm Siren synopsis, comments

    Storm Siren

    Mary Weber

    The awardwinning novel that started it all.“A riveting tale from start to finish. Between the simmering romance, the rich and inventive fantasy world, and one seriously jawdropping...

  • Summary of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black synopsis, comments

    Summary of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

    Condensed Books

    A highquality summary of Holly Black´s book The Cruel Prince including chapter details and an analysis of the main themes of the original book.About the original book:When a myster...

  • Stash synopsis, comments

    Stash

    Laura Cathcart Robbins

    “An emotionally absorbing and swiftly paced multisensory experience.” The New York Times Book ReviewNamed a Best Memoir of 2023 by ElleIn the vein of Somebody’s Daughter, this wild...

  • The Seeing Stone synopsis, comments

    The Seeing Stone

    Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

    Thanks to the mysterious field guide left behind by their longlost greatgreatuncle Arthur Spiderwick, life for the Grace kidsJared, Simon, and Malloryis beyond weird. When Simon go...

  • Rabenprinz synopsis, comments

    Rabenprinz

    Margaret Rogerson

    »Wir mögen ewig leben, aber Ihr blüht heller und Eure Stacheln hinterlassen blutige Spuren.«Die 17jährige Isobel ist eine begabte Porträtmalerin mit einer gefährlichen Klientel: da...