Stina Leicht

Stina Leicht is an American science fiction and fantasy author based in central Texas. Her work spans multiple subgenres including space opera, fantasy, and science fiction, with six novels published between 2011 and 2023. Leicht gained recognition early in her career with nominations for the Campbell Award (now Astounding Award) for Best New Writer in both 2012 and 2013. Her debut novel "Of Blood and Honey" (2011) was also shortlisted for the Crawford Award in 2012. Her published works include the Fey and the Fallen series ("Of Blood and Honey" and "And Blue Skies from Pain"), the Malorum Gates series ("Cold Iron" and "Blackthorne"), and standalone novels "Persephone Station" and "Loki's Ring." She is also a regular host of the "Skiffy and Fanty Show" podcast. Leicht's writing demonstrates versatility across formats, having contributed short fiction to anthologies such as "Last Drink Bird Head" and "Rayguns Over Texas." Her work often blends elements of different speculative fiction genres, from fantasy to space opera.

Readers highlight Leicht's character development and worldbuilding detail, particularly in "Of Blood and Honey" and "Persephone Station." Several reviews note her skill at blending historical elements with fantasy, especially in her portrayal of 1970s Northern Ireland. Readers liked: - Complex political and social themes - Detailed research into Irish folklore and history - Strong female characters in "Persephone Station" - Action sequences and pacing in "Loki's Ring" Readers disliked: - Pacing issues in middle sections of longer works - Some found "Persephone Station" plot threads hard to follow - Dense worldbuilding that slows early chapters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Of Blood and Honey: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) - Persephone Station: 3.5/5 (2,200+ ratings) - Loki's Ring: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: - Of Blood and Honey: 4.1/5 - Persephone Station: 3.9/5 - Loki's Ring: 4.2/5

Of Blood and Honey (2011) Set in 1970s Northern Ireland, this urban fantasy follows a Catholic man who discovers he's half-Fey while navigating The Troubles and supernatural conflicts.

And Blue Skies from Pain (2012) The sequel continues Liam Kelly's story as he deals with both the IRA and Catholic Church while coming to terms with his Fey heritage.

Cold Iron (2015) In this epic fantasy, fraternal noble twins must navigate political intrigue and magic while their kingdom faces invasion from a technologically superior enemy.

Blackthorne (2016) The second book in the Malorum Gates series follows the continuing struggle between magic and technology in a kingdom at war.

Persephone Station (2021) This space opera follows a group of female and nonbinary mercenaries protecting an Indigenous colony from a corrupt corporation.

Loki's Ring (2023) A science fiction novel about a deep space rescue mission that uncovers an ancient alien artifact and mysterious deaths aboard a research vessel.

Elizabeth Bear writes science fiction and fantasy that crosses genre boundaries and combines detailed worldbuilding with character-driven narratives. Her work spans space opera, fantasy, and alternate history, making her catalog similar to Leicht's range.

Martha Wells creates complex protagonists navigating intricate worlds across both science fiction and fantasy. Her work features detailed sociological and cultural elements while maintaining strong action sequences.

Ann Leckie explores themes of identity and power structures in space opera and science fiction settings. Her work demonstrates similar attention to cultural dynamics and character relationships as found in Leicht's novels.

Max Gladstone builds unique magic systems and modern fantasy worlds that challenge genre expectations. His work combines urban fantasy elements with deeper explorations of power structures and societal change.

Kameron Hurley writes genre-bending narratives that mix science fiction and fantasy elements. Her work features similar themes of identity and power dynamics while exploring complex political landscapes.