Alex Aster

Alexandra Pierson (born August 4, 1995), known professionally by her pen name Alex Aster, is a Colombian and American young adult author. She is best known for the young adult fantasy romance series Lightlark and the middle grade fantasy series Emblem Island.

Early life Pierson was born on August 4, 1995, Alex started writing books when she was thirteen, querying numerous publishers before landing a publishing deal shortly before her graduation from college. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. She published her first book, Curse of the Night Witch, in 2020, followed by its sequel in 2021. The series was inspired by her Colombian heritage and the stories her grandmother would tell her; however, the series did not receive the level of commercial success she had hoped for. The novel’s success further led to a movie deal with Universal Pictures and Temple Hill, with Aster executive producing.

Aster was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023.

Aster's adult debut, Summer in the City, released in March 2025. and hardcover fiction.

Works

Emblem Island series Curse of the Night Witch (June 9, 2020) Curse of the Forgotten City (June 8, 2021)

The Lightlark Saga Lightlark (August 23, 2022) Nightbane (November 7, 2023) Skyshade (November 12, 2024) Grim and Oro (September 30, 2025) Crowntide (December 2, 2025) Lightlark Holiday Novella

Starside series Starside (March 31, 2026) Stormside (November 17, 2026) Standalones

Summer in the City (March 25, 2025)

Barbie: Dreamscape (28 July 2026)