K. J. Parker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

K.J. Parker is an author of fantasy fiction. According to the biographical notes in KJ Parker's books, Parker has worked in law, journalism and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England.

According to an autobiographical note now removed from Parker's official website, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which has influenced Parker's work. This note implied that Parker is female; this is supported by a page on Parker's French publisher's website (see external links below). However, some people believe that Parker is a pseudonym of the British comic fantasy writer Tom Holt^{[citation needed]} but others contest this as the writing styles of the two authors differ from each other. There is an acknowledgement to Tom Holt in Parker's book Devices and Desires, suggesting at least an acquaintanceship. Tom Holt also writes historical fiction under the pseudonym Thomas Holt.

Parker's books break down into three trilogies. The Fencer Trilogy follows Bardas Loredan, a fencer-at-law. The Scavenger Trilogy is about a character called Poldarn who wakes on a battlefield suffering from amnesia. The most recent series, The Engineer Trilogy, features an engineer, Vaatzes, who is forced into exile from his home city and plots an elaborate revenge. All of Parker's books feature morally ambiguous characters and are darker than the average fantasy fare.