Alex Aster is an author of middle-grade fiction, including the Emblem Island series. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied creative writing. As we learn in Lightlark (Amulet Books), every 100 years the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game played only by the rulers of six realms. The invitation to the game is a summons, a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers its players one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide, and each curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling – a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone with whom they fall in love. They are feared and despised – and they are counting on Isla to end their suffering. To survive at the Centennial, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray – even as love complicates everything.
