Jessica Khoury writes stories where myth breathes through the modern world, where science hides ancient secrets, and where magic always comes with a price. Her books move effortlessly between wonder and danger, giving readers lush, cinematic worlds that feel both familiar and hauntingly strange. Whether she is crafting a fantasy set on the Scottish moors or a high-stakes adventure in the depths of the Amazon, her work always circles back to one idea: power means little without humanity.
Born in Toccoa, Georgia, to Syrian and Scottish parents, Khoury grew up surrounded by books, nature, and a deep curiosity about how stories shape people. She began writing as a child, her first “book” was a crayon-illustrated sequel to Danny and the Dinosaur, and by thirteen she had completed her first full-length novel. After earning a degree in English from Toccoa Falls College, she channeled her fascination with culture, language, and mythology into fiction that explores both the extraordinary and the deeply personal.
Her debut Origin set the tone for what would become her signature blend of science fiction and moral intrigue. In it, a girl raised in a secret laboratory must decide what it means to be human in a world built on control. Khoury expanded that universe through Vitro and Kalahari, then shifted into fantasy with The Forbidden Wish, a lyrical reimagining of Aladdin told from the perspective of the jinni. She later ventured into middle-grade fiction with The Mystwick School of Musicraft, which became one of Audible’s Top 20 most-listened-to children’s audiobooks and was named among their Best of 2019.
Her upcoming novel The Moorwitch marks her first foray into adult romantic fantasy. Set amid the misty moors of Scotland, it follows a woman whose magic is bound by a dangerous bargain with the fae. With its gothic tone, slow-burn romance, and themes of debt, love, and sacrifice, it promises to be Khoury’s most atmospheric and emotionally charged story yet.
Now based in Greenville, South Carolina, Khoury divides her days between writing, illustrating, and creating intricate fantasy maps for her stories. Her worlds are built with the precision of a cartographer and the heart of a dreamer, each one an invitation to step beyond what is known and discover the wild magic waiting on the other side.
