Judith Tarr


Judith Tarr is an American fantasy and science fiction author. She received her B.A. in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College in 1976, and has an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and PhD in Medieval Studies from Yale University. She taught Latin at Wesleyan University from 1990 to 1993.
She breeds Lipizzan horses at Dancing Horse Farm, her home in Vail, Arizona. The romantic fantasies that she writes under the name Caitlin Brennan feature "dancing horses" modeled on those that she raises.

''The Hound and the Falcon'' Trilogy

Tarr's The Hound and the Falcon trilogy is a fantasy trilogy set in twelfth and thirteenth century Europe. The trilogy focuses on a race of Elves with supernatural powers, secretly living in medieval society. The trilogy's main character is Alf, a young monk who is also a Elf. The trilogy features historical personages such as Francis of Assisi and King Richard I as characters.

''Alamut''

In an interview, Tarr stated that she became interested in the period of the Crusades after hearing the 1971 record album, Music of the Crusades by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort of London. This inspired her to write her novel set in the period of the Crusades, Alamut. Tarr consulted the history books The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf and by Bernard Lewis, as part of her research for Alamut.

''Epona'' series

Tarr's Epona series of novels is set in prehistoric Europe. The Epona series dramatises the ideas of archaeologist Marija Gimbutas about a matriarchal society existing in Paleolithic Europe.

Pseudonyms

;Stories
TitleYearFirst publishedReprinted/collectedNotes
"Them Old Hyannis Blues"1992Alternate Kennedys edited by Mike Resnick
"Queen of Asia"1993Alternate Warriors edited by Mike Resnick
"Cowards Die: A Tragicomedy in Several Fits"1994Alternate Outlaws by Mike Resnick
"Horizon"2002Alternate Generals II edited by Harry Turtledove
"Measureless to Man"2005Alternate Generals III edited by Harry Turtledove
"Fool's errand"2015

As Caitlin Brennan

;The White Magic series
  1. The Mountain's Call, Luna, 2004,
  2. Song of Unmaking, Luna, 2005,
  3. Shattered Dance, Luna, 2006,

    As Kathleen Bryan

;The War of the Rose series
  1. The Serpent and the Rose, Tor, 2007,
  2. The Golden Rose, Tor, 2008,
  3. The Last Paladin, Tor, 2009,

    Awards