Picture an American storyteller who paints epic battles and dark mysteries with words as vividly as he does with a brush—meet Brian Lee Durfee! A fantasy novelist and acclaimed illustrator, Durfee has carved a unique niche in the grimdark genre with his Five Warrior Angels series, starting with The Forgetting Moon. His tales, steeped in the rugged spirit of his Alaska and Utah roots, twist expectations and keep readers guessing.
The Making of Brian Lee Durfee
Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in Monroe, Utah, Brian Lee Durfee grew up surrounded by wild landscapes that later inspired his art and storytelling. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in illustration and fine arts, he initially made waves as a wildlife and fantasy painter. His artwork graced everything from Magic: The Gathering cards to the Grand Canyon National Park’s permanent collection. But Durfee’s creative spark didn’t stop at the canvas. Working as a prison guard at Utah State Prison, he taught creative writing to inmates, channeling his experiences into gritty, human-driven narratives.
Brian Lee Durfee’s Unforgettable Stories
Durfee’s writing career kicked off with South Severe (2011), an alternate history horror novel published under the pseudonym Brian D. Lee. This chilling tale set in a rural town showcased his knack for blending the eerie with the emotional. His breakout, though, came with The Forgetting Moon (2016), the first in the Five Warrior Angels trilogy. This grimdark epic follows Nail, an orphan caught in a sprawling war across the Five Isles, where prophecies are lies and magic is a fading myth. Critics, like those at Locus Online, praised its thrilling spectacle and compared it to George R.R. Martin’s work for its dark, intricate world-building.
The trilogy continued with The Blackest Heart (2019), diving deeper into the Five Isles’ conspiracies, and wrapped up with The Lonesome Crown (2022), a sweeping finale lauded by Booklist for its heroism and sacrifice. Durfee’s style subverts classic fantasy tropes—expect no predictable heroes here. His characters, from assassins to princesses, navigate a world of betrayal and hope, reflecting his belief that “trust is fleeting, while betrayal is timeless.”
Why Brian Lee Durfee Matters
Durfee’s impact lies in his ability to merge art and storytelling into immersive worlds that resonate with fans of grimdark fantasy. His YouTube channel, Brian Lee Durfee Reviews, reveals a passionate book lover who connects with readers through reviews and writing tips, building a loyal community. Despite health challenges, including vision loss from a retinal condition, his resilience shines through, inspiring aspiring writers. His work, blending raw emotion with epic scope, has earned a cult following, proving that even lesser-known authors can leave a lasting mark.
- Born: Fairbanks, Alaska
- Key Works: South Severe, Five Warrior Angels trilogy
- Awards: Arts for the Parks Grand Canyon Award
Ready to explore a world where hope battles lies? Snag The Forgetting Moon and dive into Brian Lee Durfee’s thrilling grimdark saga!