Picture an American storyteller who swapped the chaos of war zones for the mystical battles of angels and demons—meet Jon Steele! A former war cameraman turned fantasy author, Steele’s gripping Angelus Trilogy weaves gritty realism with celestial intrigue. From the frontlines of global conflict to the quiet streets of Switzerland, his journey is as epic as the tales he tells.
Born in Spokane, Washington, Steele’s life reads like a novel itself. His unique blend of hard-hitting journalism and otherworldly storytelling has captivated readers, making him a standout voice in speculative fiction. Ready to dive into his world? Let’s explore the man behind the myth.
The Making of Jon Steele
Jon Steele was born in 1950 in Spokane, Washington, and raised across the American West due to his father’s Air Force career. By age ten, he’d lived in five states, soaking up diverse experiences that would later fuel his storytelling. After barely graduating high school in Montana, Steele worked odd jobs—janitor, waiter, postman—before finding his calling in radio and television. In 1982, he joined Independent Television News (ITN) in London, kicking off a 20-year career as a cameraman covering conflicts in over 80 countries, from the Soviet Union’s collapse to the Kosovo War.
These harrowing experiences shaped Steele’s raw, visceral perspective, evident in his 2002 memoir War Junkie, a cult classic of war reportage. Disillusioned by the Iraq War’s onset in 2003, he quit journalism, retreating to southern France to write in solitude. This pivot from documenting reality to crafting fantasy laid the groundwork for his literary career.
Jon Steele’s Unforgettable Stories
Steele’s Angelus Trilogy—The Watchers (2011), Angel City (2012), and The Way of Sorrows (2015)—is his magnum opus, blending urban fantasy, thriller, and cosmic mythology. Set in Lausanne, Switzerland, The Watchers follows Marc Rochat, a bell-ringer at Lausanne Cathedral, Katherine Taylor, a high-priced escort, and Jay Harper, a memory-impaired detective. Their lives intertwine amid eerie murders and a battle against the Nephilim, ancient angelic beings. Readers praise its haunting prose and slow-burn suspense, though some note its dense pacing.
Angel City ramps up the action, taking readers from Paris catacombs to small-town America, as Harper and Taylor, now protecting Katherine’s son Max, face vengeful spirits. The Way of Sorrows concludes the saga in a globe-spanning showdown, blending science, religion, and fantasy in Jerusalem. Steele’s style is cinematic, drawing from his cameraman roots, with vivid imagery and flawed, relatable characters. His themes—good versus evil, redemption, and prophecy—resonate deeply, grounded in historical and mythical references.
Beyond the trilogy, Steele’s memoir War Junkie remains a raw, unflinching look at war’s toll, while his documentary Baker Boys: Inside the Surge (2008) showcases his ability to humanize soldiers’ lives. His works, though few, are marked by intensity and authenticity, reflecting his frontline past.
Why Jon Steele Matters
Jon Steele’s impact lies in his ability to bridge worlds—war’s stark reality and fantasy’s boundless imagination. His Angelus Trilogy offers a fresh take on urban fantasy, blending noir detective vibes with celestial stakes, appealing to readers who crave depth and grit. His journalism background lends authenticity, making even his fantastical tales feel grounded. For fans, Steele’s novels are a journey into the human spirit, exploring hope amid chaos.
Living quietly in Switzerland with his wife and cats, Steele remains a cult figure, his works cherished by those who discover them. His transition from war zones to speculative fiction inspires aspiring writers, proving that life’s darkest moments can spark stories of light.
About Jon Steele
- Born: 1950, Spokane, Washington
- Key Works: War Junkie (2002), The Watchers (2011), Angel City (2012), The Way of Sorrows (2015)
- Awards: Royal Television Society ‘Cameraman of the Year’ (1993), BAFTA for factual photography
- Current Home: Switzerland
Snag The Watchers and dive into Jon Steele’s thrilling blend of fantasy and reality—your next obsession awaits!