Kathatherine Kurtz is a respected author in the realm of high and modern fantasy novels. Born in America, she is most famous for her Deryni universe series and her co-authorship of the Adept series. Kurtz has been an active member of several writers' associations, including the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and the Society for Creative Anachronism. For many years, she resided in a castle in Ireland, but she now calls Virginia her home.
Kurtz began her writing career in 1970 with the publication of her first book, "Deryni Rising," which marked the start of her highly successful Deryni series. Her work is notable for its historical fantasy mode, which was a departure from the legend or mythology mode that was common in high fantasy books at the time. Kurtz's attention to detail in portraying the importance of faith in pre-modern societies of the Western world and her unique portrayal of magic as a formal practice have earned her praise in the industry. Critics have noted that she was one of the first writers to attempt to write historical fantasy novels based in a secondary world, making her a trailblazer in the genre.