Marie Brennan is an American fantasy author best known for her series The Memoirs of Lady Trent, which blends Victorian-era adventure with fantastical elements in the form of dragons and scholarly exploration. Writing under a pen name, Marie Brennan is the pseudonym of Bryn Neuenschwander, who holds a background in anthropology, archaeology, and folklore—fields that deeply inform her fiction. Her academic training brings a rich, immersive realism to her world-building, often portraying characters who are intellectuals, scholars, or adventurers with a strong sense of curiosity and scientific inquiry.
In addition to her fiction, Marie Brennan is also known for her collaborative work with author Alyc Helms under the joint pen name M.A. Carrick. Together, they co-write The Rook & Rose trilogy, a blend of political intrigue, masked heroes, and magic. Brennan’s writing is noted for its intellectual depth, complex characters, and the fusion of scholarly authenticity with imaginative fantasy.