Holborn started writing at 19. After four years of drafting an unpublished book, she began writing Nunslinger.[5] The novel was first published as a series and later in a single volume.[6]The Guardian praised her work as "Witty and atmospheric, with a cliffhanger every few chapters."[7] She wrote and self published Triggernometry, which was nominated for the British Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 2021.[8] It was followed by Ten Low (2021), and subsequently sequels Hel's Eight (2023) and Ninth Life (2024).[9][10]
Themes in Holborn's work include choices, guilt and redemption, and how decision-making becomes harder under duress,[13] as well as the issues of free will and the 'importance of atonement'.[14] There is a strong feminist theme to her work, and a challenging of traditional gender roles.[15] On this topic she says: 'Maybe it's because the concept of the frontier has, for so long, been portrayed as a male-dominated space.... Female characters have also been used in the past as shorthand in the concept of manifest destiny: men deal with threats, often violently, clearing the way for women to bring the "civilising" concept of home and procreation to establish the future of a community".[15]
Reception
Holborn's novels have been variously described as Space Westerns,[16]weird fiction, horror, fantasy, and with literary elements.[17] They have been praised for their experimental structure, strong writing and fast-paced style.[18]Publishers Weekly describes Triggernometry as: "a crisply written space western brimming with hard living, villainy, and the search for redemption", and praises Holborn's ability to create "an immersive world".[19] Author Joanne Harris described Hel's Eight as: 'a wonderful fusion of Firefly and Joanna Russ, with an Ennio Morricone soundtrack'.[16]
Identity
Since the publication of Nunslinger, Holborn's identity has remained elusive. In 2014, The Guardian speculated that the author was probably male,[7] with The Herald making the same assumption.[20]The Irish Times commented on Holborn's mysterious identity, saying: "What is it with creatives from Bristol...? First Banksy, now Stark, hiding their true identities? Mind you, with work this good, who cares?"[21]
