Sunyi Dean

Sunyi Dean is an author of fantasy fiction.

Early life Dean was born in Texas, raised in Hong Kong, and lives in Yorkshire. She is biracial and autistic.

Career

Dean began her career with short stories. She has listed her favorite authors as Charlotte Brontë, Gene Wolfe, George MacDonald, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Nnedi Okorafor. A starred review from Publishers Weekly said: "Dean’s unputdownable debut gives the phrase 'voracious reader' a new, very literal meaning." Library Journal starred review called it "a fascinating debut with shades of gothic fantasy and contemporary thriller, wrapped in a narrative full of vivid and detailed characters and worldbuilding, and an unusual premise." A starred review from Booklist noted: "Dean’s debut novel is a powerful story of overwhelming mother love, as something both powerful and potentially horrific." Terri Schlichenmeyer praised Dean's prose in a review for Marco Eagle. Abigail Nussbaum of The Guardian called it an "intriguing twist on the vampire story."

The Book Eaters debuted at #2 on the Sunday Times bestseller list for fiction hardbacks in the UK, and reached #2 on the Vancouver Sun list of bestselling international books in August 2022. It was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in 2022. Booklist named it a top science fiction/fantasy and horror debut of 2022.

Dean created the podcast Publishing Rodeo with author Scott Drakeford, which was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Fancast in 2024.

Dean is under contract to write two standalone novels.

Works