Picture a storyteller who spun a wickedly clever fairy tale with a morally gray witch at its heart—meet Gina Chen! This Southern California-based author burst onto the young adult fantasy scene with her New York Times bestselling debut, Violet Made of Thorns, a tale that twists fairy tale tropes into something deliciously subversive. With a knack for crafting heroines and antiheroines who wield sharp wit and questionable morals, Chen’s stories are as enchanting as they are unpredictable.
The Making of Gina Chen
Gina Chen’s journey to authorship is as fascinating as her stories. A self-taught artist with a degree in computer science, she once seemed destined for a tech career, dabbling in fan fiction in her spare time. But her love for storytelling—fueled by a passion for fairy tales, demon tales, and romantic comedies—couldn’t be contained. Living in sunny Southern California, where tea shops are as plentiful as her creative ideas, Chen traded code for prose, channeling her multifaceted creativity into writing fantastical narratives that challenge conventions.
Gina Chen’s Unforgettable Stories
Chen’s debut, Violet Made of Thorns, published in 2022 by Delacorte Press, is a standout in young adult fantasy. The story follows Violet, a prophet and liar who navigates a cutthroat royal court with her cunning divinations, only to awaken a curse tied to a charmingly infuriating Prince Cyrus. Critics and readers alike praised its lush world-building, Asian-coded protagonist, and enemies-to-lovers romance, with BuzzFeed calling it ‘everything you want from a morally gray fantasy.’ The novel’s sharp take on fairy tale tropes—think sarcastic witches and scheming royals—earned it a spot on bestseller lists.
Beyond her debut, Chen contributed to Foreshadow, an anthology of short stories showcasing her ability to blend nuance and fresh perspectives. Her short story ‘Fools’ drew acclaim from Sabaa Tahir, who lauded its compelling protagonist Fanny and vivid island setting. Chen’s upcoming works, part of the Violet Made of Thorns duology and beyond, promise more tales of clever heroines navigating fantastical worlds. Her style, marked by morally complex characters and playful subversions of classic narratives, sets her apart in the YA fantasy genre.
Why Gina Chen Matters
Gina Chen’s impact on young adult fantasy lies in her bold reimagining of the genre’s staples. By centering morally gray, Asian-coded protagonists who defy the ‘heroic’ mold, she’s carved out space for diverse, unapologetically flawed characters. Her stories resonate with readers who crave narratives that reflect the messy, cynical realities of adolescence while still delivering magical escapism. As the YA industry evolves to embrace more inclusive voices, Chen’s work is a beacon for those who love fairy tales with a bite, proving that even the thorniest stories can bloom beautifully.
- Key Work: Violet Made of Thorns (2022)
- Notable Contribution: Foreshadow anthology
- Location: Southern California
- Influences: Fairy tales, demon tales, romantic comedies
About Gina Chen
Ready to dive into a world of scheming witches and cursed princes? Snag Violet Made of Thorns and lose yourself in Gina Chen’s wickedly clever fantasy!