Christie Golden (1963–) Biography

(Jadrien Bell)

Personal

Born 1963, in Atlanta, GA; Education: University of Virginia, B.A. (English), 1985. Hobbies and other interests: Herbalism, making soap.

Addresses

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Ace Books, Putnam Berkley Group, Inc., 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.

Career

Novelist.

Member

Science Fiction Writers of America, Horror Writers of America, Society for Creative Anachronism.

Writings

Instrument of Fate, Ace (New York, NY), 1996.

Star Trek Voyager: The Murdered Sun, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

Star Trek Voyager: Marooned, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1997.

King's Man and Thief, Ace (New York, NY), 1997.

Star Trek Voyager: Seven of Nine, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Invasion America (based on Invasion America television series), ROC (New York, NY), 1998.

Invasion America: On the Run (based on Invasion America television series), ROC (New York, NY), 1998.

(With Michael Jan Friedman) Star Trek: The Next Generation: Double Helix: The First Virtue (sixth book in a series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(Under pseudonym Jadrien Bell) A.D. 999, Ace (New York, NY), 1999.

Shadow of Heaven ("Star Trek: Voyager: Dark Matters Trilogy"), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Ghost Dance ("Star Trek: Voyager: Dark Matters Trilogy"), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Cloak and Dagger ("Star Trek: Voyager: Dark Matters Trilogy"), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

No Man's Land ("Star Trek: Voyager" series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Lord of the Clans ("Warcraft" series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

The Last Round-up ("Star Trek" series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Star Trek: Homecoming, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2003.

The Farther Shore (sequel to Star Trek: Homecoming), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Enemy of My Enemy ("Star Trek: Voyager: Spirit Walk" series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Old Wounds ("Star Trek: Voyager: Spirit Walk" series), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Contributor to anthologies, including Realms of Valor, TSR (Geneva, WI), 1993; Realms of Infamy, TSR, 1994; Realms of Magic, TSR, 1995; Blood Muse, Fine, 1995; Lammas Night, Baen (New York, NY), 1996; OtherWere, Ace (New York, NY), 1996; Urban Nightmares, Baen, 1997; Highwaymen: Robbers and Rogues, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; and Star Trek: Starfleet Corps of Engineers, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2002.

"RAVENLOFT" SERIES

Vampire of the Mists, TSR (Geneva, WI), 1991.

Dance of the Dead, TSR (Geneva, WI), 1992.

The Enemy Within, TSR (Geneva, WI), 1994.

"FINAL DANCE" SERIES

On Fire's Wings, Luna (New York, NY), 2004.

In Stone's Clasp, Luna (New York, NY), 2005.

Work in Progress

Under Sea's Shadow, By Wind's Tempest, and Through Soul's Desire, further novels in the "Final Dance" series; more novels in the "Star Trek: Voyager" relaunch series.

Sidelights

Christie Golden combines elements of Gothic horror, fantasy, and science fiction in her work. In addition to her "Ravenloft" novel trilogy, she has produced both novels and short stories that contain fantasy elements, often drawing readers into worlds wherein mythic creatures and humans interact. A fan of the Star Trek: Voyager television series, she has also penned a number of novels set in that well-known universe, and has contributed Lord of the Clans to the series based on the Warcraft computer game.

"When I was old enough to clutch a crayon between my little fingers I was scribbling 'books,'" Golden recalled in an interview with Desiree Gentle for the Para-Normal Romance Web site. "I remember in seventh grade asking my English teacher if I could write the first chapter of a novel instead of the required short story," the novelist continued, "and she said yes. That first chapter launched me into my first original fantasy series." Golden saw her first novel, Vampire of the Mists, published in 1991.

Vampire of the Mists is set in the horror-laden realm of Ravenloft, a land rife with ghosts and werewolves and ruled by Count Strahd Von Zarovich. The plot revolves around a vampire elf who is forced out of the Forgotten Realm and into Ravenloft, where he must confront von Zarovich. Golden continues her "Ravenloft" saga in two further novels: Dance of the Dead and The Enemy Within. Dance of the Dead is the story of a young dancer named Larisa Snowmane who travels by ship through Ravenloft, seemingly unaware of the sinister threats that exist there. Unknown to Larisa, an evil captain with a chilling secret directs the ship she has boarded. When her ship arrives at a Ravenloft island full of zombies, Larisa must enlist the help of the island's more compassionate residents and perform the magic Dance of the Dead in order to save herself from the evil the ship's captain represents. Praising both the "exciting, well-developed story" and the book's "excellent character development," Kliatt reviewer Amos C. Patterson predicted that Dance of the Dead will keep readers' attention through "to the completion of the story."

Golden mixes aspects of romantic literature, fantasy, and history in King's Man and Thief. The main character, Deveran, has two disparate identities. Publicly he is a man of wealth and a great benefactor of the arts. However, since his wife's brutal murder eight years earlier, he also rules the city's thieves in secret. While attempting to lead the thieves away from a life of crime and into a more honorable line of work, Deveran must fight factions within his group who oppose him. Led by Marrika, the evil forces launch a plan to make every inhabitant of the city capable of new levels of evil and darkness. In a romantic twist, Deveran encounters the goddess Health, who holds for him the key to saving the city. Calling the intricate, seven-layered religion depicted in King's Man and Thief "the novel's most distinctive feature," Voice of Youth Advocate critic Margaret Miles suggested that readers of fantasy, horror, and romance continue to look for Golden's work in the future.

With On Fire's Wings Golden begins her second fantasy series, this one titled "Final Dance." Set in the country of Aruka, the novel follows Kevla Bai-sha, a young woman whose birthright as the daughter of a prostitute promises her little in life. Eventually "bought" by the powerful Tahmu-kha Rakyn—who, unknown to Kevla is her father—she becomes a servant to Tahmu's wife Yeshi. When her true identity is revealed, Kevla is viewed as a threat by Yeshi; meanwhile, the young woman begins to realize that she holds inside her a power that may allow her to defend the forces that threaten not only her family but Arukan as well.

Praising On Fire's Wings as "a definite gem in the world of sci-fi fantasy," Best Reviews online contributor Anne Barringer added that Golden "weaves a splendiferous tale of exotic magic and the courage of the human heart." In her SFSite online review, Victoria Strauss dubbed the novel "a treat for fans of romantic fantasy," writing that On Fire's Wings presents readers with "an interestingly detailed, Eastern-influenced world, filled with appealing characters, complex relationships, and plenty of action."

As Golden explained to Gentle of the projected five-volume "Final Dance" series: "I'm really enjoying [writing] these books; they start off with such a narrow focus in On Fire's Wings and expand, as Kevla's knowledge of her world expands. By the end of the series, I think 'epic fantasy' will be an accurate term." Further titles in the series include In Stone's Clasp, By Wind's Tempest, and Under Sea's Shadow.