Picture a Welsh storyteller who spins tales so chilling they make you double-check the locks—meet Kat Ellis! From her haunting debut Blackfin Sky to the eerie Harrow Lake, this young adult horror and fantasy author has carved a niche with her spine-tingling narratives. Living in North Wales with her husband and a clowder of cats, Ellis draws inspiration from creepy ruins and scary movies, crafting stories that blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
With a knack for turning everyday settings into nightmare fuel, Ellis has become a standout in YA fiction. Her books, packed with mystery and Welsh folklore, keep readers up past midnight, eagerly flipping pages to unravel her twisted plots. Let’s dive into the world of Kat Ellis and discover what makes her stories so unforgettable.
The Making of Kat Ellis
Born and raised in North Wales, Kat Ellis grew up immersed in the rugged beauty of the Welsh coast, surrounded by ancient castles and eerie cemeteries. Fluent in Welsh and educated in English with Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, she initially worked in local government communications. But her love for morbid tales—sparked by sneaking horror movies as a kid—pushed her to write her first novel at 25. Her mother once called her childhood stories ‘morbid,’ a hint of the dark imagination that would define her career.
Ellis’s path to publishing wasn’t instant. After several manuscripts, her third attempt, Blackfin Sky, became her debut in 2014. Her persistence paid off, and she now writes full-time, mentored by Literature Wales and represented by The Bent Agency. Her unique blend of Welsh heritage and horror obsession shapes every story she tells.
Kat Ellis’s Unforgettable Stories
Kat Ellis’s novels are a masterclass in YA horror and thriller, blending supernatural chills with psychological depth. Her debut, Blackfin Sky (2014), follows Skylar Rousseau, who returns to school only to learn the town believes she drowned three months earlier. This surreal mystery, steeped in eerie coastal vibes, set the tone for Ellis’s knack for unsettling twists.
Harrow Lake (2020) is a fan favorite, often compared to Scream and The Babadook. It follows Lola Nox, daughter of a horror filmmaker, who arrives in the creepy town where her father’s iconic movie was shot. Stalked by an unseen presence, Lola uncovers dark secrets that blur reality and nightmare. Readers praise its atmospheric dread and heart-pounding climax.
Other standouts include Burden Falls (2021), a Riverdale-esque thriller about Ava Thorn, haunted by visions and a town’s deadly legends, and Purge (2016), a sci-fi thriller set in a cult-like community. Ellis’s style—fast-paced, richly descriptive, and layered with Welsh folklore—creates immersive worlds where monsters, both human and supernatural, lurk. Her characters, often teens grappling with grief or identity, resonate deeply with YA readers.
Why Kat Ellis Matters
Kat Ellis has redefined YA horror by grounding supernatural tales in raw human emotion. Her stories explore themes of loss, belonging, and resilience, making them relatable even as they terrify. Her use of Welsh settings and folklore adds a unique cultural flavor, shining a spotlight on North Wales as a haunting literary backdrop. As a mentor with Literature Wales, she’s also nurturing the next generation of Welsh writers.
Ellis’s books, translated into multiple languages and selected by the Junior Library Guild and YALSA, have captivated a global audience. Her ability to weave mystery, horror, and heart ensures her stories linger long after the final page. For fans of Stephen King or Holly Jackson, Ellis is a must-read, proving YA horror can be both thrilling and profound.
- Key Works: Blackfin Sky, Purge, Harrow Lake, Burden Falls, The Devouring Light (2025)
- Awards: Junior Library Guild selections, YALSA picks
- Hobbies: Exploring ruins, watching horror movies, gardening
Ready to get spooked? Snag Harrow Lake and dive into Kat Ellis’s chilling world of YA horror!