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Brent Weeks
Brent Weeks
Brent Weeks
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Brent Weeks (born March 7, 1977) is an American fantasy writer. His debut novel, The Way of Shadows, was a New York Times best seller in April 2009.[1][failed verification] Each of the five books in his Lightbringer series made the NYT list as well, starting with The Black Prism in 2010. He lives and works near Portland, Oregon with his wife, Kristi, and their two daughters.[2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Weeks was born in Whitefish, Montana, on (1977-03-07)March 7, 1977. He attended Whitefish High School, and graduated from Hillsdale College in 2000 with a degree in English. He has said that he decided to try writing novels during a semester abroad at Oxford College, an experience that was influential to him personally and professionally. He briefly worked as a teacher at Salem Academy in Oregon and as a bartender before moving to writing full-time.[2]

Writing

[edit]

Weeks has published two complete series, the Night Angel trilogy and the Lightbringer series. All eight novels are published by Orbit Books,[3] a division of Hachette Book Group. His writing has been heavily influenced by the Classics (including The Odyssey[4] and Dante's Inferno[5]), Shakespeare, William Butler Yeats, and J. R. R. Tolkien.[6]

The entire Night Angel trilogy[7][8]—The Way of Shadows, Shadow's Edge, and Beyond the Shadows—was published as mass market paperback volumes in October 2008. Since its debut, the trilogy has been printed in more than 14 languages, and has more than one million copies in print. The Way of Shadows was also published as a graphic novel by Yen Press,[9] adapted by Andrew McDonald and Ivan Brandon. Orbit Books published a hardcover 10th Anniversary Edition of the trilogy in November 2018.[10] Perfect Shadow, a novella set in the Night Angel universe, was published by Subterranean Press as a lettered & numbered hardcover edition in 2011, and is currently available from Orbit as an ebook. There are more than 4 million copies of his books in print.

The first novel in his Lightbringer series, The Black Prism, was released in 2010.[11] The series was originally intended to be a trilogy, but after sending the completed manuscript for The Black Prism, Brent Weeks sent an email to his editor saying it would be more than three books.[12] His publishers announced in 2012 (to coincide with the release of book 2, The Blinding Knife) that it would span four books,[13] the third of which, The Broken Eye, was released in August 2014.

On May 11, 2016, Brent Weeks announced via email newsletter and his website that the fourth installment in the Lightbringer series, The Blood Mirror, would be published on October 25/27 of 2016 (US/UK release dates, respectively). He also announced that "There will be five books in the Lightbringer series, not four..." Weeks did not, however, indicate a release date.[14]

The fifth and final book in the Lightbringer series, The Burning White, was published on October 22, 2019. Weeks wrote a longform essay for the promotional tour of the book, titled "On Ending Well".[15]

Each book in the Lightbringer series appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with The Burning White reaching #4 on the Combined Print & E-book list.[16] The Black Prism was recently listed among the best Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels of the 2010s by BookBub.[17]

Weeks is represented by the Donald Maass Literary Agency.[18]

On June 6, 2022, Weeks announced on Twitter that the fourth book of the Night Angel series would be released in the spring of 2023.

Works

[edit]

Night Angel series

[edit]
Original Trilogy
Main article: Night Angel trilogy
  1. The Way of Shadows (2008)
  2. Shadow's Edge (2008)
  3. Beyond the Shadows (2008)
Night Angel novellas
Night Angel short stories
  • "I, Night Angel" (sequel; available for free in Wattpad)
Graphic novels
  • The Way of Shadows: The Graphic Novel (2014)[21]
The Kylar Chronicles
  1. Night Angel Nemesis (2023)

Lightbringer series

[edit]
  1. The Black Prism (2010, ISBN 978-1841499048)
  2. The Blinding Knife (2012, ISBN 978-1841499086)[22]
  3. The Broken Eye (2014, ISBN 978-1841499116)[23]
  4. The Blood Mirror (2016, ISBN 978-0356504636)
  5. The Burning White (2019 ISBN 978-0316251303)
Lightbringer short stories
  • "Gunner's Apprentice" (2014, between Books 3 and 4; non-canonical.)
  • "Shawarma Scene" (2019, after Book 5.[24])

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Place Category Title
2009 Compton Crook Award Nomination Balticon—Best First Novel Way of Shadows
2009 Gemmell Award Nomination Legend Award The Way of Shadows
2010 Goodreads Reader's Choice 6 Fantasy The Black Prism
2011 Endeavour Nomination Distinguished Novel or Collection The Black Prism
2011 Gemmell Award Nomination Legend Award The Black Prism
2012 Goodreads Reader's Choice 5 Fantasy The Blinding Knife
2013 Endeavour Nomination Distinguished Novel or Collection The Blinding Knife
2013 Gemmell Award[25] Win Legend Award The Blinding Knife
2013 German Reader's Choice[26] Nomination Leserpreis/Translation The Blinding Knife/Die Blendende Klinge
2014 Goodreads Reader's Choice 12 Fantasy The Broken Eye
2015 Gemmell Award Nomination Legend Award The Broken Eye
2016 Goodreads Reader's Choice 19 Fantasy The Blood Mirror
2019 Goodreads Reader's Choice 17 Fantasy The Burning White

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brent Weeks

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from Grokipedia
Brent Weeks (born March 7, 1977) is an American fantasy renowned for his epic fantasy series, including the New York Times bestselling Night Angel Trilogy—comprising (2008), (2008), and (2008)—and the expansive Lightbringer Series, which began with (2010) and concluded with The Burning White (2019). Born and raised in , Weeks discovered his passion for literature at age twelve in a small-town school, where he encountered the works of , which profoundly influenced his appreciation for speculative fiction's transformative power. It was also there that he met Kristi Barnes, who would later become his wife. Before achieving success as a full-time , Weeks penned stories on bar napkins and lesson plans, honing his craft over years and thousands of pages. His debut novel, , launched the Night Angel Trilogy and quickly became a commercial hit, establishing Weeks as a prominent voice in with its blend of intricate plotting, moral complexity, and high-stakes action centered on assassins and political intrigue. The Lightbringer Series, published by , expanded his reputation with its innovative magic system based on light and color, exploring themes of power, faith, and redemption across five volumes that have collectively sold millions of copies worldwide. Weeks has received critical acclaim, including the 2013 David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel for , the second book in the Lightbringer Series. In addition to his core series, Weeks has contributed novellas like Perfect Shadow (2011) and the first book in the Kylar Chronicles series, Night Angel Nemesis (2023), a sequel to the Night Angel saga, demonstrating his ongoing evolution as a storyteller. He resides in with his wife Kristi and their two daughters, continuing to write fantasy novels that emphasize character-driven narratives and world-building.

Early life and education

Early life

Brent Weeks was born on March 7, 1977, in . He grew up in the small-town environment of Whitefish, a community in northwest known for its rural setting and proximity to natural landscapes. He attended Whitefish High School. At age 12, while attending school in this small town, Weeks encountered the works of , which ignited his passion for literature and its ability to address profound themes like time, death, and loneliness. In the same year and setting, he met Kristi Barnes, who would later become his wife, marking a significant personal connection during his formative years. These early experiences in Whitefish laid the groundwork for Weeks' later pursuits in education and writing.

Education

Brent Weeks graduated from in 2000 with a degree in English. Following his graduation, he held brief positions as a teacher and a while beginning his writing pursuits.

Writing career

Early influences and beginnings

Brent Weeks' literary influences were shaped significantly during his college years and beyond, drawing from both classic literature and modern fantasy authors. While studying English at , including a semester abroad at Oxford University, he engaged deeply with works by Shakespeare, , and , which profoundly impacted his narrative style and thematic depth. In the fantasy genre, Weeks credits for igniting his passion as a young reader, for epic world-building, for intricate political intrigue, and for character-driven storytelling, influences he encountered and appreciated more fully after entering adulthood. Following his graduation from , Weeks held several early jobs to support his writing ambitions, including a brief stint as a and a year as an English teacher at Salem Academy in , during which he produced little new work due to the demands of the role. He ultimately quit teaching, frustrated by the conflict with his creative goals, and upon marrying, he and his wife decided he would pursue writing full-time, a bold commitment that allowed him to dedicate himself entirely to crafting novels. Weeks' path to publication involved persistent querying and overcoming significant hurdles in the competitive industry. Having begun writing his first at age 13, he completed his debut manuscript and queried 33 literary agents, receiving 15 rejections, no response from 15 others, and full manuscript requests from three; after nine months, he signed with his top choice, Donald Maass Literary Agency. His agent secured interest from following several publisher rejections, leading to a three-book deal that marked his entry into professional publishing. The process highlighted the challenges of breaking in, including prolonged waits, unpredictability, and the emotional toll of repeated setbacks, which Weeks described as the most difficult aspect of the business.

Major publications and developments

Brent Weeks debuted in the fantasy genre with , the first book in the Night Angel trilogy, published by on October 1, 2008. The novel quickly gained traction, achieving New York Times bestseller status in April 2009. This success marked a pivotal moment in Weeks' career, allowing him to focus exclusively on writing full-time, a decision he and his wife had made earlier upon their marriage to prioritize his authorship. The Night Angel trilogy followed a rapid publication schedule, with Shadow's Edge released in November 2008, and Beyond the Shadows in December 2008, enabling Orbit Books to capitalize on the series' momentum and establish Weeks as a prominent voice in epic fantasy. Building on this foundation, Weeks launched his second major series, Lightbringer, with The Black Prism in August 2010, also under Orbit Books, introducing a innovative magic system based on light and color that expanded his readership. The series progressed steadily, concluding with the fifth and final installment, The Burning White, on October 22, 2019, solidifying Weeks' reputation for intricate world-building and multi-volume narratives. In June 2022, Weeks announced Night Angel Nemesis, a sequel to the original set 15 years later and initiating The Kylar Chronicles subseries, which published on April 25, 2023. This return to the Midcyru universe demonstrated Weeks' ongoing commitment to his established worlds while exploring new character arcs. As of September 2025, Weeks is actively progressing on Night Angel Rising, the direct sequel to , currently writing the finale of the main plot and planning subsequent edits. As of November 2025, the book is still in development, with a potential release in late 2026. Throughout his career, Weeks has maintained a strong partnership with , an imprint of , which has published all his major works and supported reissues and expansions of his series.

Bibliography

Night Angel series

The Night Angel series is a dark epic fantasy series written by Brent Weeks, set in the continent of Midcyru and focusing on the guild of assassins known as the Sa'kagê. The core narrative revolves around themes of assassination as a perilous craft, the integration of strange and dangerous magic systems, and the moral complexities faced by characters navigating power struggles and survival in a gritty, intrigue-filled world. These elements interconnect across the works, with shared lore, artifacts like the ka'kari, and recurring figures tying the stories together in a cohesive universe. The series began with the original trilogy, published in rapid succession by . The first book, , was released on October 1, 2008, in the United States. followed on October 28, 2008. The concluding volume, , appeared in December 2008. This trilogy establishes the foundational conflicts involving apprenticeships in the assassin trade, political machinations, and magical threats that define the series' tone of high-stakes tension and ethical gray areas. In 2011, Weeks expanded the universe with the novella Perfect Shadow, which serves as a exploring the backstory of a key assassin figure and delves deeper into the origins of magical elements central to . This standalone work interconnects directly with the main storyline by illuminating pivotal events and character motivations that influence 's proceedings. The series continued with Night Angel Nemesis in April 2023, positioned as the opening installment of The Kylar Chronicles and acting as a direct to the trilogy, set years after its conclusion. It maintains the core themes of redemption through assassin skills, loyalty amid ancient magics, and the ongoing moral dilemmas in Midcyru's unstable realms, while building on the trilogy's unresolved threads. As of 2025, Weeks is working on Night Angel Rising, the next book in The Kylar Chronicles and sequel to Night Angel Nemesis, though no release date has been announced. The published works total five books (four novels and one ), forming an interconnected saga that has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Lightbringer series

The Lightbringer series is a five-book epic fantasy written by Brent Weeks, set in a world inspired by Mediterranean cultures where magic, known as chromaturgy, revolves around the use of colored light to draft physical matter from luxin, a substance created by willpower and light. The series explores themes of political intrigue among powerful drafters who serve as advisors and warriors in the Chromeria, a theocratic , alongside personal redemption arcs for characters grappling with ambition, faith, and moral ambiguity. It builds a sprawling narrative across the Seven Satrapies, emphasizing the corrupting influence of power and the interplay between light and darkness, both literal and metaphorical. The begins with , published in 2010 by , which introduces protagonist Gavin Guile, the Prism who wields all colors of magic, as he navigates a fragile peace threatened by war and internal betrayals. This was followed by in 2012, expanding the scope to include Kip Guile's coming-of-age journey and escalating conflicts over the chromatic wheel's secrets. The Broken Eye, released in 2014, delves deeper into the series' and the consequences of broken alliances, while The Blood Mirror in 2016 shifts perspectives to explore the aftermath of pivotal losses and rising heresies. The saga concludes with The Burning White in 2019, resolving the multi-book arcs through a climactic convergence of political, magical, and personal threads, delivering a sense of closure to the expansive world-building. Publication gaps between volumes—two years between the first three books, another two before the fourth, and a three-year wait for the finale—allowed Weeks to refine the intricate plot while responding to reader feedback on pacing and character development, culminating in a structured payoff that ties together foreshadowed elements from the outset. In 2023, Orbit reissued the series with new by artist Silas Manhood, featuring a cohesive that highlights the chromatic theme, aimed at attracting new readers to the complete . No official companion materials, such as novellas or guidebooks, have been released beyond the core novels and standard promotional excerpts.

Recognition

Awards and nominations

Brent Weeks' novel (2012), the second installment in the Lightbringer series, earned him the 2013 Legend Award for Best Novel, recognizing outstanding heroic fantasy. This win, announced in June 2013, highlighted the book's innovative magic system and character development, following its release amid growing acclaim for the series. Earlier, Weeks' debut Lightbringer book, (2010), received a for the 2011 David Gemmell Legend Award, placing it among top heroic fantasy works of that year. The underscored the series' early impact shortly after its launch. In the Night Angel series, Weeks garnered a for the 2009 Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel with (2008), his debut novel, selected from finalists in by the Science Fiction Society. Weeks' works have also been nominated multiple times for the in the Best Fantasy category, reflecting reader-driven recognition. The advanced to the finals in 2012. Similarly, The Broken Eye (2014), the third Lightbringer novel, was nominated in 2014, reaching the semifinals. Most recently, The Burning White (2019), the Lightbringer series finale, was nominated for the 2020 in Best Fantasy Novel, a fan-voted honor for .

Commercial success

Brent Weeks' novels have achieved significant commercial success, with millions of copies sold worldwide, encompassing his Night Angel Trilogy and Lightbringer series. His works continue to sell steadily through various formats, including print, e-books, and audiobooks, contributing to a growing market presence in the epic fantasy genre. The author's books have been translated into more than 14 languages, expanding their global reach to markets in , , and beyond. Editions appear in languages such as Bulgarian, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Polish, and Russian, among others, allowing international readers access to series like Night Angel and Lightbringer. This multilingual distribution has broadened Weeks' audience, with foreign editions often featuring unique cover art tailored to regional preferences. Multiple titles have attained New York Times bestseller status, beginning with in April 2009. Each of the five books in the Lightbringer series followed suit, including in 2010, , The Broken Eye, The Blood Mirror, and The Burning White, which peaked at #11 on the hardcover fiction list in November 2019. These achievements underscore the series' appeal to mainstream fantasy readers and highlight Weeks' consistent performance on major bestseller charts. Weeks' fanbase has expanded through diverse media formats, particularly audiobooks, which have gained popularity for their immersive narration. Narrated editions, including dramatized adaptations by Graphic Audio for the Lightbringer series, feature full casts and sound effects, attracting listeners who prefer audio experiences over traditional reading. Discussions of potential film or television adaptations persist among fans, though no projects have advanced beyond early optioning stages for series like Night Angel or Lightbringer. The 2023 release of Night Angel Nemesis, the first installment in a planned sequel arc to the Night Angel Trilogy, further boosted the author's popularity by reintroducing beloved characters to a of readers. Published on April 25, 2023, the novel received strong reception, with over 6,000 ratings averaging 4.0 stars as of 2023, signaling renewed interest in Weeks' early work and potential for increased series sales. This return to the Night Angel universe has invigorated fan engagement, evidenced by active online discussions and anticipation for future volumes in The Kylar Chronicles. As of 2025, Weeks is working on the sequel.

Personal life

Family

Brent Weeks first met his future wife, Kristi Barnes, at the age of 12 while attending a small-town school in , where she became a significant early influence in his . The couple married, and Kristi provided crucial support during the six years Weeks dedicated himself to full-time writing prior to the publication of his debut novel, , in 2008, enabling him to focus intensely on developing his craft without immediate financial pressures from other employment. Weeks and Barnes are the parents of two daughters, whose presence has shaped his daily priorities alongside his authorship.

Current residence

Brent Weeks has resided in since 2001, when he relocated there after graduating from college to take a teaching position at Salem Academy, which he held briefly before quitting around 2002 to pursue writing full-time. Originally raised in , this move returned him to the and allowed him to establish a stable home base conducive to his professional output, with Oregon's literary scene—highlighted by frequent events at venues like in Portland—providing opportunities for fan engagement and promotion. He shares this residence with his wife, Kristi, and their two daughters, integrating family life with his daily writing routine in the region's temperate climate and natural surroundings.

References

  1. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/brent-weeks/
  2. https://www.brentweeks.com/writing/the-way-of-shadows/
  3. https://www.brentweeks.com/writing/the-black-prism/
  4. https://store.orbit-books.co.uk/collections/author-brent-weeks
  5. https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316251334
  6. https://locusmag.com/2013/11/legend-award-winners/
  7. https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316554909
  8. https://schulerbooks.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/interview-with-brent-weeks-author-of-the-way-of-shadows/
  9. https://www.booknotification.com/authors/brent-weeks/
  10. https://www.brentweeks.com/bio/
  11. https://sobrief.com/authors/brent-weeks
  12. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-weeks-79758ba
  13. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brent-Weeks/author/B004N1S4QY
  14. http://page69test.blogspot.com/2010/12/black-prism.html
  15. https://reactormag.com/brent-weeks-interview/
  16. https://www.brentweeks.com/interview-with-the-author/
  17. http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2008/10/brent-weeks-interview.html
  18. http://scififanletter.blogspot.com/2008/12/brent-weeks-author-interview.html
  19. https://www.brentweeks.com/2008/09/the-night-angel-trilogy/
  20. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-weeks/the-way-of-shadows/9780316528160/
  21. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/orbit/page/about-orbit/
  22. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-weeks/the-burning-white/9780316251303/
  23. https://www.brentweeks.com/tag/night-angel-nemesis/
  24. https://x.com/BrentWeeks/status/1969089303591469467
  25. https://www.facebook.com/BrentWeeksAuthor
  26. https://www.brentweeks.com/series/night-angel/
  27. https://www.brentweeks.com/writing/night-angel-the-complete-trilogy/
  28. https://www.brentweeks.com/writing/perfect-shadow/
  29. https://www.brentweeks.com/writing/beyond-the-shadows/
  30. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/series/brent-weeks/the-night-angel-trilogy/
  31. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-weeks/perfect-shadow/9780316196482/
  32. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/brent-weeks/night-angel/
  33. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-weeks/night-angel-nemesis/9780316554909/
  34. https://onlinegifting.hbgusa.com/new-brent-weeks-novel-2/product/9780316567282
  35. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-weeks/the-night-angel-trilogy/9780316570756/
  36. https://www.sfadb.com/David_Gemmel_Legend_Awards
  37. https://www.brentweeks.com/2013/06/david-gemmell-legend-award-2013/
  38. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/award_category_year.cgi?695+2011
  39. https://locusmag.com/2009/03/compton-crook-award-finalists/
  40. https://www.brentweeks.com/2012/11/final-round-of-the-goodreads-choice-awards/
  41. https://www.brentweeks.com/tag/goodreads/
  42. https://www.brentweeks.com/2020/08/the-burning-white-is-a-dragon-award-finalist/
  43. https://www.brentweeks.com/extras/international-editions/
  44. https://www.brentweeks.com/tag/dutch/
  45. https://www.brentweeks.com/tag/foreign-editions/page/2/
  46. https://www.brentweeks.com/2014/09/new-york-times-best-seller/
  47. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/11/10/
  48. https://www.brentweeks.com/2019/11/the-burning-white-bestseller-lists-award-nom/
  49. https://www.audible.com/author/Brent-Weeks/B004N1S4QY
  50. https://www.amazon.com/Black-Prism-Dramatized-Adaptation-Lightbringer/dp/B08KYGHCVK
  51. https://www.brentweeks.com/faq/
  52. https://winteriscoming.net/2023/04/29/exclusive-brent-weeks-talks-night-angel-nemesis-and-his-plan-for-the-kakari-codex/
  53. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63326534-night-angel-nemesis
  54. https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-night-angel-nemesis-by-brent-weeks/
  55. https://x.com/BrentWeeks
  56. https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/qk5dt/hi_redditors_my_name_is_brent_weeks_im_an_epic/
  57. https://rocketreach.co/brent-weeks-email_78332682
  58. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/198391509/
  59. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1370283.Brent_Weeks/blog
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