Picture a storyteller who spun a world where magic is a deadly virus—meet Victoria Lee, the North Carolina-born author shaking up young adult fantasy and science fiction! With her debut novel, The Fever King, Lee crafts gripping tales that blend gritty dystopian worlds with queer romance and moral complexity, capturing the hearts of readers who crave stories with depth and edge.
Lee’s unique voice shines through her ability to weave personal and political themes, drawing from her diverse experiences as a psychologist, EMT, and expat. Her narratives aren’t just escapist fun—they’re a mirror to our world’s struggles, wrapped in a thrilling package of magic and rebellion.
The Making of Victoria Lee
Born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Victoria Lee grew up penning ghost stories and dreaming of boarding school adventures. Her childhood love for storytelling was fueled by Durham’s vibrant literary scene, with local haunts like the Regulator Bookshop inspiring her imagination. Lee’s eclectic path—competitive pianist, hitchhiker, expat in China and Sweden, and EMT—shaped her multifaceted perspective. Armed with a Ph.D. in psychology, she channels her fascination with human behavior into richly layered characters, making her stories resonate with authenticity.
Lee’s writing journey began in earnest during her doctoral studies, where she balanced early-morning writing sessions with scientific experiments. Her knack for blending science and magic caught the attention of publishers, leading to her breakout debut with The Fever King in 2019.
Victoria Lee’s Unforgettable Stories
Lee’s debut, The Fever King, is a science-fantasy powerhouse set in a fractured, post-apocalyptic United States. The story follows Noam Álvaro, a technopath navigating a world where magic is a viral curse. With its sharp political commentary and queer Jewish cast, the novel tackles refugee rights and intergenerational trauma, earning praise for its nuanced take on power and identity.
The sequel, The Electric Heir (2020), deepens the Feverwake duology’s emotional stakes, weaving romance and betrayal against a backdrop of rebellion. Lee’s standalone novel, A Lesson in Vengeance (2021), shifts gears to dark academia, exploring obsession and witchcraft at an elite boarding school. Her 2023 release, A Shot in the Dark, blends art and faith in a contemporary setting, showcasing her versatility. Lee’s style—marked by vivid prose, morally gray characters, and science-based magic—sets her apart in the YA landscape.
Her stories resonate for their unflinching engagement with heavy themes like abuse and mental health, balanced by tender queer romances and intricate world-building. Fans of Neal Shusterman and V.E. Schwab find Lee’s work a perfect blend of heart-pounding stakes and emotional depth.
Why Victoria Lee Matters
Victoria Lee’s impact lies in her ability to amplify marginalized voices—queer, Jewish, and immigrant—through speculative fiction that feels urgently relevant. Her exploration of trauma and power speaks to a generation grappling with social and political unrest, making her a vital voice in YA literature. By blending science and fantasy, Lee redefines genre boundaries, inviting readers to question authority and embrace complexity.
Her growing fanbase, bolstered by a webtoon adaptation of The Fever King, signals her rising influence. Lee’s work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while offering hope through resilience and love, cementing her as a storyteller to watch.
- Born: Durham, North Carolina
- Key Works: The Fever King (2019), The Electric Heir (2020), A Lesson in Vengeance (2021), A Shot in the Dark (2023)
- Fun Fact: Lee is a fancy whiskey enthusiast and a devoted border collie parent.
Snag The Fever King and dive into Victoria Lee’s electrifying world of magic, rebellion, and heart!