Picture a Southern California storyteller who weaves dark fantasy with a touch of faerie magic—meet Rachel A. Marks! A Los Angeles-born author and artist, Marks has enchanted young adult readers with her gripping Dark Cycle series while leaving her mark on the literary world with stunning cover designs for bestselling novels. A cancer survivor with a zest for surfing, dirt-bike riding, and chocolate, she infuses her vibrant life into tales that pulse with supernatural intrigue.
Marks’s stories, often compared to a blend of Dickens’ grit and TV’s Supernatural, pull readers into shadowy worlds where demons lurk and heroes rise. Her unique blend of artistry and storytelling, paired with her resilience, makes her a standout in young adult fantasy. Ready to dive into her spellbinding universe?
The Making of Rachel A Marks
Born and raised in the sun-soaked sprawl of Los Angeles, Rachel A. Marks grew up with a passion for creativity and adventure. A self-proclaimed ‘SoCal girl,’ she embraced surfing and dirt-bike riding, channeling her bold spirit into both art and writing. As a cancer survivor, Marks’s journey through illness added depth to her perspective, shaping her stories with themes of survival and hope. Her early career as a professional artist saw her designing covers for New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels, honing a visual storytelling skill that later enriched her prose.
Marks’s leap into writing was fueled by her love for the supernatural and her knack for crafting flawed, relatable characters. Inspired by shows like Buffy and Smallville, she began weaving tales that captured the gritty magic of urban fantasy, setting the stage for her debut series.
Rachel A. Marks’s Unforgettable Stories
Marks’s flagship work, The Dark Cycle series, kicks off with the Amazon bestseller Darkness Brutal (2015). This haunting tale follows Aidan, a teen with the ability to see demons and speak forgotten languages, as he fights to protect his sister Ava from dark forces in Los Angeles’s underbelly. Readers rave about its fast-paced action and emotional depth, likening it to a supernatural rollercoaster.
The series continues with Darkness Fair (2016) and Darkness Savage (2016), diving deeper into Aidan’s battle against an ancient war between Light and Darkness. Marks’s style shines through vivid world-building, blending angelic lore with gritty urban settings. Her novella Winter Rose and the Otherborn series opener Fire and Bone (2018) showcase her versatility, introducing Celtic mythology and demigoddess heroines to her repertoire. Each story pulses with Marks’s signature mix of heart, heroism, and eerie enchantment.
Known for strong female characters and authentic portrayals of trauma, Marks crafts narratives that resonate with young adult readers. Her ability to weave myth, magic, and raw emotion ensures her books linger long after the final page.
Why Rachel A. Marks Matters
Rachel A. Marks has carved a niche in young adult fantasy by blending supernatural thrills with real-world struggles. Her Dark Cycle series has earned a dedicated following, praised for its fresh take on angelic and demonic lore. As an artist, her cover designs for bestselling novels have shaped the visual identity of countless stories, amplifying her influence in publishing.
Marks’s journey as a cancer survivor adds a layer of authenticity to her work, inspiring readers to find strength in adversity. Her stories, rooted in resilience and hope, speak to those navigating their own battles, making her a beacon for young readers and aspiring authors alike.
- Born: Los Angeles, California
- Key Works: Darkness Brutal, Darkness Fair, Darkness Savage, Fire and Bone
- Fun Fact: Voted ‘Most Likely to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse’
- Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Snag Darkness Brutal and dive into Rachel A. Marks’s thrilling world of demons, heroes, and faerie secrets!