Kristen Ciccarelli is a successful Canadian author, well-known for her young adult, romance, and fantasy stories. She is particularly recognized for her Iskari series, which includes the popular book, "The Last Namsara." Ciccarelli's work has gained international acclaim, with her books being translated into more than 12 languages and becoming bestsellers.
Growing up on her grandfather's grape farm, Ciccarelli spent her childhood exploring the vineyards, creating forts in the barn, and embarking on adventures in the woods. Before becoming a professional writer, she tried various jobs, including fruit picking, artisanal baking, working as a L'Arche assistant, coordinating a community bread oven, bookselling, and pottery. She also spent a year living in a punk house. These diverse experiences have influenced her writing, providing her with a rich background to draw from.
Currently, Ciccarelli lives in the Niagara region of Ontario with her husband and their book-loving toddler. She finds joy in reading a good book by a warm fire, writing stories, and dancing with her daughter. Her love for books and storytelling is evident in her work, which has been influenced by authors such as Juliet Miller, Martine Leavitt, Patricia McKillip, Megan Whalen Turner, Garth Nix, Robin McKinley, Rosaria Munda, Franny Billingsley, Naomi Novik, and Kristin Cashore.