The Herald of Autumn

Name: The Herald of Autumn
Price: 18.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781957516127

✍️ Jm Guillen

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$18.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dark fantasy debut about a man hunted by a trickster god for his true name.

Jm Guillen presents a myth-drenched debut where folklore carries real weight. The narrative follows Tommy Maple, who must confront Old Man Coyote to protect his identity. This struggle reveals his role as the Herald of Autumn, bound to an ancient Hunt. The story examines the power of names and the cost of awakening to one's true self within a decaying world.

Key Themes

true Name Old Man Coyote Herald of Autumn

Literary Context

The novel draws on trickster tales and folklore, situating itself in a dark fantasy saga. It explores the slow twilight of the world as we know it, blending myth with supernatural fiction traditions to create a narrative where old stories carry tangible danger.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Neil Gaiman · Susanna Clarke · Silvia Moreno-Garcia · China Miéville

🌙

Paranormal

🏛 Imperishable Press 📅 2023 📖 129 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781957516127

📝 Description: The Herald of Autumn

Tommy Maple awakens naked in the fading light of summer with a trickster’s boot on his chest. The ancient figure Old Man Coyote has returned to steal Tommy’s true Name, a word capable of unmaking him if seized by the wrong power. This confrontation initiates a struggle for identity and survival that defines the narrative. Jm Guillen crafts this debut novel as Book One in the Echoes of the Untold Age series. The story reveals Tommy as the Herald of Autumn, an oath-bound figure tied to the Hunt who wields glamour older than the fading World-That-Was. The plot weaves through trickster tales and folklore, exploring the slow twilight of the known world. Readers seeking lyrical myth-drenched prose will find value here, while those preferring fast-paced action without atmospheric depth may find the pacing deliberate. The Untold Age stirs with patience and hunger, closing in on Tommy as he discovers his true nature. The narrative focuses on the fight for a Name, framing it as a fight for a soul amidst encroaching darkness.

💎 Our verdict on The Herald of Autumn

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Guillen delivers a compelling debut that prioritizes atmospheric immersion over rapid plot progression. The concept of the true Name as a vulnerable core creates genuine stakes within a decaying world framework. While the pacing is deliberately slow, this allows for rich thematic exploration of identity and folklore. It suits readers who enjoy mythic realism and psychological horror over traditional action-driven narratives. The prose is lyrical and dense, rewarding those willing to engage with its slower rhythm. It stands as a strong entry in dark fantasy for enthusiasts of character-driven stories rooted in ancient, dangerous lore.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave atmospheric depth and lyrical prose will find significant value in this debut. It appeals to those interested in the metaphysical power of names and the psychological horror of identity loss. The narrative offers a deliberate pace that allows for immersion in its mythic world, making it ideal for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy folklore-infused settings. Those seeking fast-paced action without emotional resonance may find it slow, but it rewards patience with a profound exploration of self-discovery amidst encroaching darkness.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Guillen delivers a compelling debut that prioritizes atmospheric immersion over rapid plot progression. The concept of the true Name as a vulnerable core creates genuine stakes within a decaying world framework. While the pacing is deliberately slow, this allows for rich thematic exploration of identity and folklore. It suits readers who enjoy mythic realism and psychological horror over traditional action-driven narratives. The prose is lyrical and dense, rewarding those willing to engage with its slower rhythm. It stands as a strong entry in dark fantasy for enthusiasts of character-driven stories rooted in ancient, dangerous lore.