Graci Kim is a diplomat turned award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of children’s fantasy books
Graci Kim is the diplomat turned award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon, and The Last Fallen Realm, aka the Gifted Clans series. Featured in TIME Magazine for Kids, and dubbed a “sparkling yarn” by Entertainment Weekly, the Korean mythology-inspired trilogy is being translated into multiple languages.
The Last Fallen Star was named a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Children’s Book, an Amazon Best Book, an Indigo Best Book, a Barnes & Noble Young Reader Pick, and a Whitcoulls’ Kids Top 50. In 2022, Graci was awarded the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent.
The first book in her new series, Dreamslinger, will be released in April 2025.
In a previous life, Graci was a New Zealand diplomat, a cooking show host, and once ran a business that turned children’s drawings into cuddly toys. She now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with her husband and daughter. You can join her newsletter, follow her on Instagram, or write her a letter at gracikim.com.
Slinger Series Book 1
Dreamslinger
If X-Men met Pokémon, and was set at a Korean magic school. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Harry Potter, Nevermoor, and Keeper of the Lost Cities.
Ideal for readers aged 8-13 years, and grown-up kids too!
Coming April 29, 2025
US cover of Dreamslinger
UK/Aus/NZ cover of Dreamslinger
Dare to enter the Trials…
Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge lives at the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers, a safe haven for children born with a genetic mutation that transports them to a magical realm while they sleep.
When the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk—home of the Dreamslinger League—announces the first Slinger Trials where teenagers from around the world are invited to compete for a chance to join the League, Aria knows what she must do: Join the Trials and take down the League from the inside. After all, they’re the ones who killed her mom.
But first, she’ll need to survive the Trials…
Join the Dreamslinger League!
Watch the book trailer
Aria’s Lullaby
In the book, Aria sings a lullaby that her mom wrote for her. The acclaimed artist Bridges has turned it into a real song! Dreamslinger League members will get access to tutorial videos to learn the full (or simplified) version of the song, and be invited to compete in a performance contest to be into win a 3D-printed bloom dragon!
*** For a limited time, I will give you the password so you can access the tutorial videos and sheet music without needing to join the Dreamslinger League (although you should join - it’s totally free and you get lots of goodies!). Here is the link to the League-members only page and use password: beexceptional to enter
Which is your favourite “dreampanion”?
Sign up for the Dreamslinger League to receive these printed cards in the mail, plus a whole lot of other goodies :)
PREORDER TODAY!
Gifted Clans series
Korean mythology in modern-day America, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson. Fast-paced adventure full of magic, humour, and heart.
Ideal for readers aged 8-12 years, and grown-up kids too.
Book 1: The Last Fallen Star
A New York Times bestseller
An instant indie bestseller
Book 2: The Last Fallen Moon
The adventure continues in the second book in the series
Book 3: The Last Fallen Realm
The finale to the Gifted Clans trilogy OUT NOW!
Five Fast Facts
I ran away with the circus when I was 16 years old because I fell in love with a Colombian tightrope walker. True story. (Please don’t tell my mum!)
One of my favourite things ever is the feeling of freshly cut fingernails. Yes, I’m weird. But it just feels so satisfying…
New Zealand is home, but I have also lived in South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and China. Did you know that if you dig a hole in NZ, you’d come out the other side in Spain?
I am scared of big waves. The kind you find in the ocean, not in your hair. I’m also deeply afraid of turbulence on planes.
I wrote my first story when I was 11 years old. It was called ‘The Multicoloured Club’ and it was basically a mash-up of The Spice Girls and The Babysitters’ Club. Good times.
Okay, I lied about there being five. Here’s a sixth fact: I used to have a pen name. And for all the wrong reasons.
Here’s a TED talk I did about how I got rid of my pen name, and learned to embrace my Korean heritage.