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Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo has new books coming out. Are they on your reading list?

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling American author best known as the creator of the Grishaverse, the world of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, Six of Crows duology, and King of Scars duology. She is also the author of Ninth House and its sequel Hell Bent, acclaimed dark academia novels set at Yale University. Her works have been translated into dozens of languages and adapted for screen, including the Netflix Original Series Shadow and Bone.

The latest Leigh Bardugo book is The Invisible Parade. It released on August 26, 2025.

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The next Leigh Bardugo book is Alex Stern #3. It is scheduled to release on January 1, 2026.

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New and upcoming Leigh Bardugo 2025 & 2026 releases

Leigh Bardugo has 2 new and upcoming books scheduled to be released.

August, 2025

The Invisible Parade

January, 2026

Book Coming Soon

Alex Stern #3

Writing Style

Bardugo’s writing is lyrical, atmospheric, and richly layered, combining fantasy, folklore, and psychological depth. Her prose balances immersive worldbuilding with moral ambiguity and emotional realism, blending high fantasy with a distinctly modern voice.

Interesting Facts

  • Born in Jerusalem and raised in Los Angeles, Bardugo graduated from Yale University.
  • She is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale, reflecting her ongoing ties to academia.
  • Her debut, Shadow and Bone (2012), launched the Grishaverse — a universe that now includes multiple series and companion works.
  • Her first adult novel, Ninth House (2019), won the Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy and was praised for its dark, intellectual tone.
  • Bardugo is open about living with osteonecrosis, a chronic medical condition that influences the way she writes about power, resilience, and vulnerability.
  • She has also contributed short fiction to major anthologies, including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Key Books / Series Highlights

  • Shadow and Bone Trilogy (2012–2014): A young soldier discovers she has the power to summon light in a war-torn world ruled by darkness.
  • Six of Crows Duology (2015–2016): A gritty, character-driven heist fantasy following a crew of misfits in the city of Ketterdam.
  • King of Scars Duology (2019–2021): Follows King Nikolai Lantsov as he faces political and magical turmoil in the aftermath of war.
  • Ninth House (2019) and Hell Bent (2023): Dark academia thrillers set among Yale’s secret societies, combining the occult with mystery and social commentary.
  • The Language of Thorns (2017): A beautifully illustrated collection of fairy tales and legends from the Grishaverse.

Film & TV Adaptations

  • Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels were adapted into the Netflix Original Series Shadow and Bone (2021–2023), combining storylines from both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows.

Author Themes & Influence

Leigh Bardugo’s fiction delves into power, trauma, identity, and redemption, exploring the human cost of magic and ambition. She has redefined young adult fantasy by introducing morally complex heroes and emotionally intelligent storytelling that resonates with readers of all ages. Her seamless movement between YA and adult fiction showcases her range and literary impact.

Recurring Themes & Motifs

  • Outsiders and antiheroes finding belonging
  • The price of power and ambition
  • Trauma and recovery
  • Friendship, loyalty, and found family
  • Moral grayness and the illusion of “good vs. evil”

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