Heather Hansen

An American writer of Young Adult fiction in the science-fiction vein, the novelist Heather Hansen is well known for her unique brand of dystopic fiction aimed at a younger market which, whilst there are many currently residing within the genre, hers stands out thanks to its idiosyncratic take upon the genre, as she infuses it with her own voice and style, one which brings out a whole new side of the format that’s previously been unexplored. Largely known for creating the ‘Split City’ series of novels, she has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time, largely thanks to her use of atmosphere and ambiance that really allows the cityscape to come alive within the novel, evoking a sense of scale and grandeur for the reader. Her use of characters as well manages to capture the attention of the readers, as it brings them to life off the page, giving them a real sense of immediacy and urgency, making the novels fell extremely contemporary and relevant to the current times. With a background in writing mysteries as well, she knows how to engage the reader instantly, keeping the guessing throughout, whilst also lulling them into a false sense of security, one which, when unveiled, really capture them and the imagination. A genuinely unpredictable writer, she is highly regarded because of her devotion to both her world-building and that of the inhabitants, as her audience get an idea of what it’s really like in their mind’s eye. This is what has seen her quickly become one of the most successful authors currently working within her field to date, setting the template for many other up-and-coming aspiring writers to follow in her footsteps. Clearly putting forwards a distinctive voice and a sense of who she is as a writer, she manages to draw the reader in with her compelling and finely tuned narrative style.