Brian Nixon
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Brian Nixon
Book One in the Highfallen Saga
by Brian Nixon
A world scarred by the God Rain. A warrior born to bring back the light.
Sabrael Highfallen, a newly appointed Arten, is tasked with her first mission—an escort through Leaning Tree Pass. When betrayal turns the journey into tragedy, she must rise above guilt and doubt to protect those who remain. Joined by an unlikely band of allies, Sabrael faces slavers, dark creatures, and echoes of an ancient curse.
Highfallen: First Task delivers a gripping tale of courage, faith, and finding hope when the gods seem silent.
Highfallen: First Task is a sweeping epic fantasy that blends divine intrigue, heartfelt character arcs, and thrilling adventure.
Sabrael Highfallen is no ordinary warrior. Born a Divinari—one marked by celestial blood—she has spent her life training in the sacred temple of Inaias. Now, newly appointed as an Arten, she must step into the wider world to protect the innocent and uphold the light of the gods, even as faith in them has all but vanished since the catastrophic event known as the God Rain.
Her very first mission, a routine escort of settlers through Leaning Tree Pass, spirals into tragedy when betrayal from within leads to an ambush that claims innocent lives and leaves Sabrael gravely wounded. Struggling with guilt and the crushing weight of responsibility, she must forge uneasy alliances to survive—most notably with Narina, a hardened elf with a brutal past and no trust in the divine.
As Sabrael and her unlikely companions—an eccentric goblin named Fiebrict, the fearsome beast Mob, and others—push forward, they uncover something even darker than simply kidnappers, creatures corrupted by dark forces, and whispers of a curse born centuries ago. To succeed, Sabrael must confront not only the enemies that threaten those she was entrusted to protect, but also her own doubts about her purpose and the gods she serves.
Rich with world-building and unforgettable characters, First Task explores themes of loyalty, courage, and what it means to hold on to hope in a world where divine silence feels deafening. With vivid action sequences, moments of humor and heart, and a narrative that challenges both hero and reader alike, this is the perfect starting point for fans of character-driven epic fantasy.
Brian currently lives in Utah with his wife of 25+ years, their 3 children, and his son's bird who hates him. He is also a big old nerd.
First and foremost, Brian Nixon is most proud of being a husband to his wife (who puts up with more than her fair share of crap) and a father to his three kids. He became a storyteller recently, with a passion for crafting narratives that balance heart, adventure, and faith. As the author of the Highfallen fantasy series and an upcoming contemporary novel Mint Condition, Brian blends richly imagined worlds with characters who feel both authentic and unforgettable. His stories are rooted in themes of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of hope—ideas that resonate with his own life experiences. Brian’s love of storytelling began through tabletop role-playing games (he has played D&D with the same group of friends for over 30 years) and evolved into writing epic fantasy that combines vivid world-building with deeply personal character arcs. His Highfallen series introduces readers to Sabrael Highfallen, a Divinari warrior navigating a world scarred by divine conflict, while Mint Condition explores themes of family, healing, and connection through the lens of baseball and nostalgia. Whether writing sweeping battles between gods and mortals or quiet moments between two people learning to trust again, Brian’s voice is defined by emotional honesty and a love of meaningful storytelling. When he’s not writing, Brian enjoys music (he even wrote and recorded a CD MANY years ago), exploring creative design projects, and cheering for his favorite baseball team, the Yankees. A devoted husband and father, he draws inspiration from the bonds of family and the lessons of his faith, infusing his stories with both wonder and heartfelt depth. Whether you’re diving into the mythical world of Thanria or the warm, nostalgic pages of Mint Condition, his stories invite readers to find a piece of themselves in every journey.
