Cassandra Clare, born Judith Lewis (née Rumelt) on July 27, 1973, is an American author of young adult fiction, best known for her bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

Early Life: Born to American parents in Tehran, Iran, Cassandra spent much of her childhood traveling with her family, including a trek through the Himalayas as a toddler. She lived in France, England, and Switzerland before settling in Los Angeles for her high school years.

Career: Cassandra worked as an entertainment journalist for several notable publications, such as the Hollywood Reporter. Her shift to fiction began with her debut novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan. Since 2006, she has focused on writing fantasy fiction full-time.

Personal Life: Cassandra currently resides in Massachusetts with her fiancé and their two cats. She prefers to write in coffee shops with friends for company.

Influences and Writing Style: Her works often incorporate various mythologies, including Western religious and world mythologies. Cassandra is known for her carefully structured plots, which include foreshadowing and planned misdirection.