Clare B. Dunkle

Clare B. Dunkle is an American author known primarily for her young adult fantasy novels and memoirs. Her most recognized work is The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, a fantasy series published in the early 2000s that established her presence in young adult literature. After earning degrees from Trinity University and Indiana University, Dunkle worked as a librarian before transitioning to writing while living in Germany. During this period, she wrote her first four books as letters to her daughters who were attending boarding school in the region. Her bibliography spans multiple genres, including fantasy novels like "By These Ten Bones" and "The House of Dead Maids," as well as science fiction with The Sky Inside series. In 2015, she co-authored two notable non-fiction works with her daughter Elena, addressing the serious topic of anorexia nervosa through both the perspective of the sufferer and the parent. The author's work has demonstrated versatility across genres, moving from gothic fantasy to deeply personal memoir writing. Her books have addressed themes ranging from supernatural romance to family struggles with mental illness, reflecting her evolution as a writer over time.

Readers consistently highlight Dunkle's unique take on fantasy tropes and her skill at creating atmospheric settings, particularly in The Hollow Kingdom series. Comments often mention her fresh approach to goblin characters and dark fairy tale elements. What readers liked: - Strong world-building and gothic atmosphere - Complex female protagonists - Quality of prose and descriptive writing - Unpredictable plot developments - Balance of humor with darker themes What readers disliked: - Pacing issues in later books - Some romance elements feel rushed - Occasionally difficult to follow multiple plotlines - Religious undertones in certain works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Hollow Kingdom: 3.95/5 (14,000+ ratings) - Close to the Bone: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) - By These Ten Bones: 3.8/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Average 4.3/5 across titles - Higher ratings for fantasy works than memoirs One reader noted: "She writes villains who are actually terrifying without being cartoonish." Another commented: "The worldbuilding feels lived-in, not just a backdrop for the story."

The Hollow Kingdom - A young woman in Victorian England discovers goblins are real when their king claims her as his bride.

Close Kin - The second book in The Hollow Kingdom trilogy follows Emily's sister trying to find missing elf maidens while confronting her own prejudices.

In the Coils of the Snake - The trilogy concludes with a human girl trapped in a marriage alliance meant to prevent war between goblins and elves.

By These Ten Bones - A woodcarver's apprentice in medieval Scotland harbors a deadly werewolf curse.

The House of Dead Maids - A young maid arrives at a haunted Yorkshire mansion to care for a strange boy who may be connected to Wuthering Heights.

The Sky Inside - In a domed suburb of the future, a thirteen-year-old boy discovers disturbing truths about his manufactured world.

Saving Casey - A memoir co-written with Elena Dunkle about a mother's perspective of her daughter's battle with anorexia.

Elena Vanishing - A memoir co-written with Elena Dunkle depicting her daughter's firsthand account of living with anorexia.

Hope and Other Luxuries - A mother's memoir chronicling her family's journey through her daughter's eating disorder.

Holly Black writes dark fantasy featuring faeries and supernatural creatures, creating worlds where danger and magic intermingle with everyday life. Her work shares similar gothic elements and complex magical societies found in Dunkle's writing.

Diana Wynne Jones crafts intricate fantasy worlds with unconventional magic systems and strong character development. Her books feature similar themes of family relationships and coming-of-age stories that appear in Dunkle's work.

Robin McKinley specializes in fantasy retellings and original works featuring strong female protagonists in magical settings. Her writing style combines folklore elements with character-driven narratives similar to Dunkle's approach in The Hollow Kingdom.

Patricia A. McKillip creates lyrical fantasy stories with detailed world-building and otherworldly elements. Her work contains similar gothic undertones and exploration of supernatural themes found in Dunkle's novels.

Juliet Marillier writes historical fantasy with Celtic influences and focuses on family relationships within magical contexts. Her books feature similar elements of romance and supernatural beings that appear throughout Dunkle's fantasy works.