The Forgetting Moon, Review

The Forgetting Moon, The Five Warrior Angels book 1, by Brian Lee Durfee

“History is a weapon wielded by the victors.”

If The Malazan Book of the Fallen requires a PhD to understand, then The Forgetting Moon demands at least a bachelor’s degree. It’s dense, complex, and unapologetically layered. My biggest hurdle was just keeping up with who was who, what they were doing, and why it mattered. For the first third of the book, I was just holding on, hoping the pieces would eventually fit. They did, but it took a while. Take from that what you will. Either I’m right, or I’m possibly literarily illiterate.

“Faith is the knife that cuts both ways.”

Once things began to click into place, though, I realized I was hooked. I won’t say I fell in love, but I definitely got pulled in. There are a lot of characters, each with their own arcs, motivations, and hidden agendas. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you start tracking who’s who, the payoff is worth it. By the end, I was hooked.

“Even the most righteous can be blind when belief becomes obsession.”

Durfee’s worldbuilding is meticulous. The history, religion, politics, and prophecy are all tightly woven into a narrative that feels epic in scope and gritty in tone. Some characters fall early, throwing entire plotlines into question, while others defy fate and claw their way through impossible odds. Nobody feels safe, and nothing feels predictable.

“Monsters are not born. They are shaped by fire, betrayal, and blood.”

By the time you reach the implications of the prophecy and start connecting the dots between the major players, you realize just how carefully constructed this story really is. It’s not fast-paced, and I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s easy, but it is rewarding.

I’m eager to see where the series goes next now that the groundwork is in place. If you enjoy dark epic fantasy and don’t mind putting in the effort to earn your reward, The Forgetting Moon might be your next obsession.