Picture a Pittsburgh-born storyteller who swapped the Steel City for London’s foggy streets, spinning tales that haunt and enchant—meet Tori Bovalino! A rising star in young adult horror and fantasy, Bovalino crafts stories that blend eerie folklore with raw human emotion, earning her a devoted following among readers who crave chills and heart. With a PhD exploring Russian folklore’s role in YA fiction, she’s redefining the genre with academic precision and creative fire.
The Making of Tori Bovalino
Born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tori Bovalino grew up with a love for books that made her cry, from *Pride and Prejudice* to *The Picture of Dorian Gray*. Her academic journey began at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a BA in English and anthropology, minoring in German. A master’s in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, followed, and she’s now deep into a PhD at the same institution, researching how Russian folklore shapes YA fantasy. Her time working eerie summer shifts at a university library sparked her debut novel, where creepy vibes met her passion for horror and folklore.
Tori Bovalino’s Unforgettable Stories
Bovalino’s debut, *The Devil Makes Three* (2021), is a gothic horror gem about Tess, a library assistant, and Eliot, a privileged student, who accidentally unleash a demon from an ancient grimoire. The novel’s atmospheric setting and suspenseful prose deliver chills, drawing from Faustian legends and her folklore studies. Her sophomore novel, *Not Good for Maidens* (2022), reimagines Christina Rossetti’s *Goblin Market* as a horror-fantasy tale of Lou, who braves a seductive goblin market to save her aunt. Alternating timelines and sapphic romance add depth to its dark magic.
*My Throat an Open Grave* (2024) dives into folk horror, following Leah, a teen in a restrictive Pennsylvania town, as she confronts the Lord of the Wood to rescue her brother. Critics praise its *Labyrinth*-like atmosphere and sharp social commentary on religious bigotry. Bovalino also edited and contributed to *The Gathering Dark*, an indie-bestselling anthology of folk horror tales. Her style—vivid, unsettling, and emotionally raw—marries academic insight with accessible storytelling, making her a standout in YA.
Why Tori Bovalino Matters
Tori Bovalino’s work resonates because it dares to explore the shadows of human experience through folklore’s lens. Her stories tackle themes like identity, belonging, and resistance against oppressive systems, speaking to teens and adults alike. By weaving Russian and Slavic influences into YA fantasy, she broadens the genre’s cultural scope, inviting readers to question the monsters—human or otherwise—in their own lives. Her growing influence signals a bold future for horror-fantasy.
- Birthplace: Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Key Works: *The Devil Makes Three*, *Not Good for Maidens*, *My Throat an Open Grave*
- Education: BA from University of Pittsburgh, MA and PhD (in progress) from Royal Holloway, University of London
- Fun Fact: Loves chai tea and oversized sweaters
About Tori Bovalino
Ready for a spine-tingling read? Snag *My Throat an Open Grave* and dive into Tori Bovalino’s haunting world of folk horror and fantasy!