Igor Štiks is 15 when he has to flee Sarajevo, as the war engulfs Yugoslavia. After studying philosophy in France, he became a researcher in political science in Scotland. He lives today between Sarajevo, Zagreb and Edinburgh.

A key phenomenon in young Balkan literature, Igor Štiks was awarded the prize for best first novel in Croatia in 2001. Translated into more than twelve languages, The Serpent of Fate, crowned book of the year in Croatia in 2002 and rewarded with many literary awards since, is his second novel.