Skel Harrington

Author Skel Harrington

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Skel Harrington is an author of dark speculative fiction. They grew up in the wilderness area of Oregon where they used books and endless expanses of solitary time to create their own friends. They now live in Portland, OR and know many wonderful real-life people. In their spare time, they illustrate the online series Little Dudes Have Feelings and perform as an improvisational comedian.


In 2018, Skelly changed their name from Gypsie Raleigh to Skelly Harrington. Some of their older works still reference that name.

Credit: Jackaldog Photography

The Willful Instruments Trilogy

The Dying Light
The Hungry Souls
The Binding Blood

What Readers Are Saying

★★★★★

Horror wrapped in epic fantasy, liberally dipped in blood. . . . A gory rollercoaster of emotion that I want to ride repeatedly.

★★★★★

What a stunningly gorgeous novel. You will fall in love with Soolie, and then you will question that decision.

★★★★★

Grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go. Not for the faint of heart, but so very good.

★★★★★

I read this in a matter of a few hours.

★★★★★

Vivid, emotionally resonant dark fantasy

Skelly Harrington weaves an evocative, dark, but ultimately fulfilling tale of death and rebirth among inner and outer turmoil—a fascinating, memorable fantasy tale.

★★★★★

I have never read a book like this before. I have always loved fantasy, but not horror. That didn’t stop me. I was hooked from the first page and found it beautifully written, imaginative, and disturbing. The story, the characters, and the setting will stay with you and never let you go. Beware!

★★★★★

This book is definitely horror – physical, psychological and spiritual, but somehow manages to be simultaneously sweet and hilarious. Soolie is in my heart and soul. I bought the next two books and can’t wait to forge forward in the quest we’re on together.

★★★★★

I don’t know how the author did it, but they have created a world unlike any I have ever inhabited. I don’t like to say that it was a religious experience b/c I’m an atheist, but the connection – clarity – shock – power – want – hope all rolled into one made me feel like I was encountering something I’d never known existed, something outside of my realm of understanding and experience. . . . Your definitions of “villain” or “protagonist” are going to be turned on their heads. You’ll read descriptions you wish you hadn’t. You’ll read sections so poignant you must share them with someone else. You’ll need a nap when you finish the series, but in a good way. Don’t undertake these books lightly but do most assuredly undertake them. They’re like nothing else out there.

★★★★★

Dark, lush and bloody, I couldn’t put this book down.

★★★★★

Vivid, emotionally resonant dark fantasy

Skelly Harrington weaves an evocative, dark, but ultimately fulfilling tale of death and rebirth among inner and outer turmoil—a fascinating, memorable fantasy tale.

★★★★★

This book was a mixture of dark fantasy and horror that equaled perfection.

★★★★★

Skelly Harrington writes with the violence of George R. R. Martin, the otherworldly vision of N.K. Jemison, and Haven Kimmel’s unerring recognition of the vulnerability of parental love. A true horror story that somehow also lifts me up.

★★★★★

The Soolie Beetch trilogy is a truly remarkable work by nouvel auteur Skelly Harrington. I have tried to compare it to other works for this review to clarify what the reader will find. But comparing it to other authors would diminish and pigeonhole it in ways it should not. Having read thousands of works in my increasingly long life, I find this trilogy unique.

★★★★★

Dark, gripping fantasy in which not a single character can escape unscathed, with beautiful turns of phrase and chilling, brutal violence.

Four authors have given me this sort of fear from their writing: Tad Williams; Charles de Lint; Neil Gaiman; and now, [Skelly Harrington]

Thrilling. Gruesome. Angelic. Ugly. Heaven and hell on a page.

★★★★★

In these pages I find descriptions of what my own internal landscape has felt like at times, and I think that’s what makes it comforting in defiance of the horrific details of the story that draws us forward.

★★★★★

The climax is so tense, cleverly written, and satisfying, the themes and imagery are so grim and gorey and all the descriptions are so beautiful and dark. This whole series feels so special and it’ll be on my bookshelf and in my mind to recommend to people always.

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