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The Herald of Autumn
Stories live. They breathe. They walk the land, beings crafted entirely of whispered tales and subtle magic.
They hide among us.
Every year, with the death of summer, the Herald of Autumn awakens, to again wander the land. Wherever he goes, leaves turn red and gold and the first hints of frost rime the world. Wherever he goes, he cannot help but hunt down the twisted creatures he finds in the darkness.
This Autumn, however, is different from those in the past.
This Autumn, Tommy Maple awakens to the taunting of a depraved enemy, a mad and elusive shaman. Tommy is powerless before his mysterious, bent magics, and knows that the old man has slaughtered his kind in the past.
He is the last person the Herald should trust. And yet, Tommy is forced to listen.
Soon, a sinister tale blossoms- a story that spans centuries and the entire continent. A story made from the whispering of forgotten legends that births sharp and dangerous questions.
A story that Tommy has always been part of, even though he didn't know it.
Now, the Herald faces an ancient abomination, a creature of darkness and feckless hunger. For once, the hunter is the one that is hunted, chased through a lost and misbegotten wood. The behemoth is pure horror, and can unravel everything Tommy is.
As the Herald faces a foe unlike any other, will he fall to the living shadows that haunt our world? Will the lamentations of a lost age devour him, causing him to be reborn as one of the world's sorrows? Or can he trust the shaman, a creature shrouded in trickery, malevolence and deceit?
They hide among us.
Every year, with the death of summer, the Herald of Autumn awakens, to again wander the land. Wherever he goes, leaves turn red and gold and the first hints of frost rime the world. Wherever he goes, he cannot help but hunt down the twisted creatures he finds in the darkness.
This Autumn, however, is different from those in the past.
This Autumn, Tommy Maple awakens to the taunting of a depraved enemy, a mad and elusive shaman. Tommy is powerless before his mysterious, bent magics, and knows that the old man has slaughtered his kind in the past.
He is the last person the Herald should trust. And yet, Tommy is forced to listen.
Soon, a sinister tale blossoms- a story that spans centuries and the entire continent. A story made from the whispering of forgotten legends that births sharp and dangerous questions.
A story that Tommy has always been part of, even though he didn't know it.
Now, the Herald faces an ancient abomination, a creature of darkness and feckless hunger. For once, the hunter is the one that is hunted, chased through a lost and misbegotten wood. The behemoth is pure horror, and can unravel everything Tommy is.
As the Herald faces a foe unlike any other, will he fall to the living shadows that haunt our world? Will the lamentations of a lost age devour him, causing him to be reborn as one of the world's sorrows? Or can he trust the shaman, a creature shrouded in trickery, malevolence and deceit?
138 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2011
30 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Guillen
23 books214 followersJM Guillen was just an average Joe when he worked at a Necromancy factory in 2018. After his job was outsourced to Mexico, he has been driven irrevocably mad and gifted with strange, terrible power.
Today he spends his time creating sentient velociraptors in his secret lair and summoning fell powers best left alone. His goal of absolute world domination is almost within his grasp. Soon, nothing will stop him.
Occasionally, he writes.
Today he spends his time creating sentient velociraptors in his secret lair and summoning fell powers best left alone. His goal of absolute world domination is almost within his grasp. Soon, nothing will stop him.
Occasionally, he writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 4, 2013
I was not quite sure what to expect from this book. I have read my fair share of fairy tales, and was curious as to how this one would play out. It wasn't like anything I have read before, and I have to agree with a reviewer that came before me that this book reads a lot like poetry. Everything flows together into a descriptive world that you can almost smell and taste.
Tommy Maple is the herald of Autumn, which I'm sure you could have figured out from the title, called awake early he is sent an a hunt like one he has never been on. A darkness threatens the world, and one believes he is the only one that can stop it. Tried of always being alone he will find himself tempted by things he has only ever wished for in the secret part of his heart. The question is will the Hunter now become the hunted.
I liked this book quite a bit, and the cover is really what caught my eye. I'm not the kind of reader the judges by the cover. . .in my experience some of the best books can be hidden behind a truly hideous cover and some of the worst books can be behind a beauty of one. Well the cover of this one stays true and has a beautiful story behind it.
I'm not an expert in all things fairy, but I have read my fair share of stories on them. Some with them being good others with them being bad, I feel like this one falls somewhere in between. There is good intentions, and bad mixed in. You never really know if one is being honest or not. Tommy seems to fall somewhere in the middle of this mix of good and bad, he has no problem using a Telling to get the things he needs, and the hunter in him will not allow the darkness to cause harm.
I found myself feeling for Tommy in a lot that he experienced. Someone that has no home and finds himself more alone has time passes, it made me sad for him. But the simple joy he could find in things would make you smile as well. I felt that I was following behind him and experiencing everything with him at the same time.
Would I recommend this book? Yes I enjoyed it immensely
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Tommy Maple is the herald of Autumn, which I'm sure you could have figured out from the title, called awake early he is sent an a hunt like one he has never been on. A darkness threatens the world, and one believes he is the only one that can stop it. Tried of always being alone he will find himself tempted by things he has only ever wished for in the secret part of his heart. The question is will the Hunter now become the hunted.
I liked this book quite a bit, and the cover is really what caught my eye. I'm not the kind of reader the judges by the cover. . .in my experience some of the best books can be hidden behind a truly hideous cover and some of the worst books can be behind a beauty of one. Well the cover of this one stays true and has a beautiful story behind it.
I'm not an expert in all things fairy, but I have read my fair share of stories on them. Some with them being good others with them being bad, I feel like this one falls somewhere in between. There is good intentions, and bad mixed in. You never really know if one is being honest or not. Tommy seems to fall somewhere in the middle of this mix of good and bad, he has no problem using a Telling to get the things he needs, and the hunter in him will not allow the darkness to cause harm.
I found myself feeling for Tommy in a lot that he experienced. Someone that has no home and finds himself more alone has time passes, it made me sad for him. But the simple joy he could find in things would make you smile as well. I felt that I was following behind him and experiencing everything with him at the same time.
Would I recommend this book? Yes I enjoyed it immensely
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
December 30, 2018
A compelling, gritty and unique Fae story, somewhat unexpected, worth reading the whole series!
November 17, 2013
"Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--"
So Keats reassures Autumn, and does its Herald ever have some songs to sing in this book. Thanks to its protagonist, Tommy Maple, I won't ever pass the century-old maple in front of my house without wondering what spirit might be sleeping inside.
THE HERALD OF AUTUMN opens with a confrontation between the Herald, one of the Old World fey-kin, and Old Man Coyote, great trickster of the Native American First People. Coyote has awakened Tommy Maple a few hours before the start of his autumn reign, for a purpose that remains mysterious until after Tommy has encountered and killed a monster wearing the shape of a human but armed with raptor claws and filled with spiders. Coyote then welcomes Tommy into his deep-woods lodge and tells him of dark creatures known to the aurora-dwelling sky spirits as Shaediin. Because these creatures drink the magic Coyote calls Medicine and Tommy glamour, Coyote is helpless before them. He wants Tommy to go to the heart of a nearby shadowed wood and destroy the spawner of Shaediin that dwells there. Why Tommy? Because he is a natural hunter, capable of summoning mystical bow and quiver, horn and hounds, even a cryptic Hunter and the Great Hunt, the force of which Tommy himself fears.
Tommy and Coyote spar throughout the book with the zest of ancient enemies who can't help but admire each other. And why not? Both are great characters and the Tellers of -- literally -- bewitching tales. Guillen has a deft touch for atmosphere and an affinity for the waning season that recalls Bradbury's October Country. He also recalls Susanna Clarke in his ability to entice with the snippets of stories-within-the-story. Here are some of the visions that torment Tommy as the insanity of the Shaediin (seeping from them like nebulous poison) begins to invade his mind:
"I saw a man in the shadows, dignified and learned. Yet he was no gentleman, but a spider. His doors were in every corner of the world, and he could step to any place, leaving husks where mortals once had slept.
"I saw an old woman, with hair in her face. She would crawl along the floor, like a crab, muttering and whispering numbers. She knew the day of everyone's death.
"I saw a capering, giggling boy in the shadows, with extra joints in his fingers. They bent backwards, serpentine. He would tickle sleeping children until they bled, and then feast on the blood with a long, forked tongue."
Wow. Layers upon layers of tantalizing darkness, each a story in miniature.
Guillen's style is poetic without pretense, his grasp of the fairy tale form firm. He knows that the power of story lies at least partly in its circularity, as the great patterns repeat themselves in form after form, life after life. Or, as Tommy Maple tells us, at the start, at the end:
"I have one thousand beginnings. No. That's not right. Nigh a thousand thousand. Each stranger than the last...."
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--"
So Keats reassures Autumn, and does its Herald ever have some songs to sing in this book. Thanks to its protagonist, Tommy Maple, I won't ever pass the century-old maple in front of my house without wondering what spirit might be sleeping inside.
THE HERALD OF AUTUMN opens with a confrontation between the Herald, one of the Old World fey-kin, and Old Man Coyote, great trickster of the Native American First People. Coyote has awakened Tommy Maple a few hours before the start of his autumn reign, for a purpose that remains mysterious until after Tommy has encountered and killed a monster wearing the shape of a human but armed with raptor claws and filled with spiders. Coyote then welcomes Tommy into his deep-woods lodge and tells him of dark creatures known to the aurora-dwelling sky spirits as Shaediin. Because these creatures drink the magic Coyote calls Medicine and Tommy glamour, Coyote is helpless before them. He wants Tommy to go to the heart of a nearby shadowed wood and destroy the spawner of Shaediin that dwells there. Why Tommy? Because he is a natural hunter, capable of summoning mystical bow and quiver, horn and hounds, even a cryptic Hunter and the Great Hunt, the force of which Tommy himself fears.
Tommy and Coyote spar throughout the book with the zest of ancient enemies who can't help but admire each other. And why not? Both are great characters and the Tellers of -- literally -- bewitching tales. Guillen has a deft touch for atmosphere and an affinity for the waning season that recalls Bradbury's October Country. He also recalls Susanna Clarke in his ability to entice with the snippets of stories-within-the-story. Here are some of the visions that torment Tommy as the insanity of the Shaediin (seeping from them like nebulous poison) begins to invade his mind:
"I saw a man in the shadows, dignified and learned. Yet he was no gentleman, but a spider. His doors were in every corner of the world, and he could step to any place, leaving husks where mortals once had slept.
"I saw an old woman, with hair in her face. She would crawl along the floor, like a crab, muttering and whispering numbers. She knew the day of everyone's death.
"I saw a capering, giggling boy in the shadows, with extra joints in his fingers. They bent backwards, serpentine. He would tickle sleeping children until they bled, and then feast on the blood with a long, forked tongue."
Wow. Layers upon layers of tantalizing darkness, each a story in miniature.
Guillen's style is poetic without pretense, his grasp of the fairy tale form firm. He knows that the power of story lies at least partly in its circularity, as the great patterns repeat themselves in form after form, life after life. Or, as Tommy Maple tells us, at the start, at the end:
"I have one thousand beginnings. No. That's not right. Nigh a thousand thousand. Each stranger than the last...."
March 11, 2015
The Wild Hunt vs Cthulhu
After the apocalyptic Wormwood Event, the post-apocalyptic science fantasy of the Matter of the Red Hand and the lush and decadent fantasy world of Handmaiden’s Fury, I see Guillen has tried his hand at the urban fantasy sub-genre characterized by the modern manifestation of classic fairy stories, and he excels at the field.
Readers are introduced to Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn and a wanderer of the fey folk of myth. Fans of Emma Bull and of Neil Gaimen’s American Gods will delight in the Herald’s antics and adventures in the first half of this novella as he engages with the tricks and snares of his fellow supernatural beings. The story captures the feel of a fairy denizen: playful and untamed as the wild, but with more than a hint of danger for any poor mortals who might cross his path when his mood is careless. The mood is captured flawlessly.
But this brings us to the climax, where our hero meets Coyote, another embodiment of the world’s dreams and magic, and who has returned from a perilous quest for knowledge about a threat that readers of Guillen’s other stories will recognize and dread.
Coyote enlists the hero’s aid, and the Herald of Autumn will confront the alien forces that would plunge the world into a chaos from which no meaning, even the meaning captured by the tricks and tellings of the fey magic, can arise.
But what can the manifestation of the world’s seasons and dreams do against a force that would corrode all order and spell the final end to all cycles of life?
Will even the power of the Wild Hunt be enough to fight eldritch demons from the Outer Spheres?
This is a war being fought on more fronts than I had guessed, and I eagerly await more entries into the Irrational Worlds Saga.
After the apocalyptic Wormwood Event, the post-apocalyptic science fantasy of the Matter of the Red Hand and the lush and decadent fantasy world of Handmaiden’s Fury, I see Guillen has tried his hand at the urban fantasy sub-genre characterized by the modern manifestation of classic fairy stories, and he excels at the field.
Readers are introduced to Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn and a wanderer of the fey folk of myth. Fans of Emma Bull and of Neil Gaimen’s American Gods will delight in the Herald’s antics and adventures in the first half of this novella as he engages with the tricks and snares of his fellow supernatural beings. The story captures the feel of a fairy denizen: playful and untamed as the wild, but with more than a hint of danger for any poor mortals who might cross his path when his mood is careless. The mood is captured flawlessly.
But this brings us to the climax, where our hero meets Coyote, another embodiment of the world’s dreams and magic, and who has returned from a perilous quest for knowledge about a threat that readers of Guillen’s other stories will recognize and dread.
Coyote enlists the hero’s aid, and the Herald of Autumn will confront the alien forces that would plunge the world into a chaos from which no meaning, even the meaning captured by the tricks and tellings of the fey magic, can arise.
But what can the manifestation of the world’s seasons and dreams do against a force that would corrode all order and spell the final end to all cycles of life?
Will even the power of the Wild Hunt be enough to fight eldritch demons from the Outer Spheres?
This is a war being fought on more fronts than I had guessed, and I eagerly await more entries into the Irrational Worlds Saga.
December 22, 2018
A Lovecraftian mythology mash-up - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/12/...
October 4, 2013
Find yourself caught between a centuries-long struggle between spirits of the old world and the new, witness beings of faerie who can make a story real with their powers of Telling, and risk nightmares given form by what lurks in the darkness, just read this book!
This is a fantastic novella. I'm drawn to tales of old-world faeries (the kind of creatures that will steal 2 decades of your life with longing, or strip the flesh from your bones if offended), and The Herald of Autumn doesn't disappoint. Guillen crafts his writing with an amazing, poetic care that not only makes the world palpable but paints in marvelous fashion the concepts behind it: stones that have never known flight, singing in joy as they're flung from a sling; the power of a true name; and the titular Herald of Autumn himself. Descriptions of dark things encountered (both real and sent as nightmares into the main character's mind) are both imaginative and frightening: "I saw a capering, giggling boy in the shadows, with extra joints in his fingers. They bent backwards, serpentine. He would tickle sleeping children until they bled..." Twisted.
Within 5 minutes of finishing it, I had already told three friends to tell them to pick it up as soon as I could, and that's honestly not something I've ever done before. My only complaint--and I mean this in the best way--is that it's just a novella and not a full-length novel. Don't get me wrong, it's the perfect length for the story it tells, I was just sorry to see it end!
This is a fantastic novella. I'm drawn to tales of old-world faeries (the kind of creatures that will steal 2 decades of your life with longing, or strip the flesh from your bones if offended), and The Herald of Autumn doesn't disappoint. Guillen crafts his writing with an amazing, poetic care that not only makes the world palpable but paints in marvelous fashion the concepts behind it: stones that have never known flight, singing in joy as they're flung from a sling; the power of a true name; and the titular Herald of Autumn himself. Descriptions of dark things encountered (both real and sent as nightmares into the main character's mind) are both imaginative and frightening: "I saw a capering, giggling boy in the shadows, with extra joints in his fingers. They bent backwards, serpentine. He would tickle sleeping children until they bled..." Twisted.
Within 5 minutes of finishing it, I had already told three friends to tell them to pick it up as soon as I could, and that's honestly not something I've ever done before. My only complaint--and I mean this in the best way--is that it's just a novella and not a full-length novel. Don't get me wrong, it's the perfect length for the story it tells, I was just sorry to see it end!
September 16, 2013
HP Lovecraft meets Fairy tales meets Native American mythology meets the fantastic.
I picked up this book on a whim, not really knowing what to expect. What I found blew me away. From the unique characters, to the complex mythology crafted and hinted at, to the history that is implied living, the book defied my expectations and left me wanting more.
The story follows Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn, as he awakens on the first day of Fall. From there the story builds from strength to strength and with several unexpected twists.
The prose, as has been mentioned in previous reviews, verges on the poetic. The choice of the first person perspective allows the reader to get into Tommy's head and Guillen teases the reader with Tommy's memories and the complex mythology of the world.
My only quibbles are minor. Firstly, the story left me wanting way more. Secondly, and this one is personal more than anything, was the author's repetition of the word nonce. After the first few times it got a little annoying, but was minor enough that it didn't distract from the story itself.
I recommend this story wholeheartedly and I hope Guillen writes further stories set in this universe.
I picked up this book on a whim, not really knowing what to expect. What I found blew me away. From the unique characters, to the complex mythology crafted and hinted at, to the history that is implied living, the book defied my expectations and left me wanting more.
The story follows Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn, as he awakens on the first day of Fall. From there the story builds from strength to strength and with several unexpected twists.
The prose, as has been mentioned in previous reviews, verges on the poetic. The choice of the first person perspective allows the reader to get into Tommy's head and Guillen teases the reader with Tommy's memories and the complex mythology of the world.
My only quibbles are minor. Firstly, the story left me wanting way more. Secondly, and this one is personal more than anything, was the author's repetition of the word nonce. After the first few times it got a little annoying, but was minor enough that it didn't distract from the story itself.
I recommend this story wholeheartedly and I hope Guillen writes further stories set in this universe.
October 6, 2013
I still feel a bit dreamy after reading Guillen's The Herald of Autumn. What a difficult book to describe. I originally read a snippet on the author's website, and was struck immediately by his unique voice and the poetic nature of the writing.
Mix folklore, very primal rhythms of nature and psychology, and stir with a twizzle stick of Stephen King (and I mean that in a good way). The writing is so fully layered that at times I wasn't sure if I was reading in a superficial way about changing seasons, as the characters are very strong, anthropomorphized timeless figures. So as you read, you're led from something that seems quite profound and then brought back to rather workaday themes--a truck rolls up, etc. The deeper you get into the story, the more story there is, and while I can't say I exactly cared about the outcome in the typical sense, I needed to finish. Guillen is definitely a skilled dreamweaver, and all I can say is that reading this book is like lucid dreaming. My mother, a person who could be moved to tears by the sound of falling acorns or a sweet Native American tale, would have LOVED this book, and I'm sad she's no longer here to share this with. I can't remember thinking that about any book. Hats off to you, Mr. Guillen.
Mix folklore, very primal rhythms of nature and psychology, and stir with a twizzle stick of Stephen King (and I mean that in a good way). The writing is so fully layered that at times I wasn't sure if I was reading in a superficial way about changing seasons, as the characters are very strong, anthropomorphized timeless figures. So as you read, you're led from something that seems quite profound and then brought back to rather workaday themes--a truck rolls up, etc. The deeper you get into the story, the more story there is, and while I can't say I exactly cared about the outcome in the typical sense, I needed to finish. Guillen is definitely a skilled dreamweaver, and all I can say is that reading this book is like lucid dreaming. My mother, a person who could be moved to tears by the sound of falling acorns or a sweet Native American tale, would have LOVED this book, and I'm sad she's no longer here to share this with. I can't remember thinking that about any book. Hats off to you, Mr. Guillen.
September 30, 2013
Put this down and haven't looked at it again in a month - or even felt tempted to pick it back up. Doubt I'll ever finish it.
I wasn't sure what to expect but the reviews raised my hopes. Sadly, 30% of the way into the book I am still struggling to enjoy it.
At certain times the poetic writing tempts me, other times it comes off as laboured - a "literary" mythological fantasy more concerned with aesthetics than telling a story. (Ironic, given the role of story-telling in this book.) The world and setting also seem intriguing, but they alone aren't sufficient to drawn me in.
The main character might be a complex, magical being... but a third of the way in, I still am confused about who/what he is and why I should care about him. Ditto applies to the villain.
I have to admit, things did start getting interesting - with the villain and the protagonist meeting a second time, there seemed to be a promise that the story would kick off. But it came too late for me.
I wanted to like this book, but the execution put me off.
I wasn't sure what to expect but the reviews raised my hopes. Sadly, 30% of the way into the book I am still struggling to enjoy it.
At certain times the poetic writing tempts me, other times it comes off as laboured - a "literary" mythological fantasy more concerned with aesthetics than telling a story. (Ironic, given the role of story-telling in this book.) The world and setting also seem intriguing, but they alone aren't sufficient to drawn me in.
The main character might be a complex, magical being... but a third of the way in, I still am confused about who/what he is and why I should care about him. Ditto applies to the villain.
I have to admit, things did start getting interesting - with the villain and the protagonist meeting a second time, there seemed to be a promise that the story would kick off. But it came too late for me.
I wanted to like this book, but the execution put me off.
September 23, 2013
I read this several days ago and needed some time to process it. I have never been so immersed in a world, and the author manages to do it in so few pages. Every time I had to put the book down it seemed to take me several minutes to get back to the "here and now." I was utterly transported - I could feel the breath of autumn moving through the trees, see the Herald dashing this way and that. In many ways, you are dropped into the middle of a tale. You can tell there is an intricate mythology that the author has created, and he slowly reveals bits and pieces as you go along. Not all is explained - just enough to tease you further, to draw you a little deeper into the story. This is not the book for someone that wants it all laid out. But if you like to wallow in masterfully written prose while enjoying some intriguing mythology - this is the book for you. Very highly recommended.
September 4, 2013
This was an excellent read. The author uses very poetic description to capture a unique story that is filled with action and suspense. The imagery alone is fascinating, and certain scenes still reverberate in my memory. I especially enjoyed Old Man Coyote, a rich character that kept me guessing all the way through the end. The Herald of Autumn was a powerful story, one that I know I will revisit in the future.
January 18, 2014
This book was absolutely beautiful. I agree with the other reviews that it does read like poetry and I loved that.
It was like a fairytale, but different than any fairytale I've read before in a wonderful, spellbinding way.
J.M. Guillen has an amazing gift for weaving words together to hold you in an ethereal cocoon and keep you hypnotized until the book ends.
It was like a fairytale, but different than any fairytale I've read before in a wonderful, spellbinding way.
J.M. Guillen has an amazing gift for weaving words together to hold you in an ethereal cocoon and keep you hypnotized until the book ends.
October 18, 2012
Beautiful. It whisks you along with all the grace and power of an autumn wind, biting at times with its chill and whispering always at more to come. The blend of myth and modern, action and love, was superbly done. Definitely want to read more.
August 28, 2013
The Herald of Autumn is a most excellent read. It reminded me somewhat (very favorably) of Charles deLint or Emma Bull, but the story very much has its own unique voice. If you enjoy being temporarily transported outside of yourself, you've got to try this. Truly enjoyable.
December 3, 2017
Have you ever read a book where you finally understand the idea of words dancing across the page, painting the story they are telling? How about one where you are enraptured by the story itself,fully mesmerized and in awe? That's this book.
It follows the story of Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn. Steeped in a vivid world of mythology in North America. Coyote, the Old Man, seeks out Tommy Maple, for their is a dark threat growing, one Coyote can not beat. It calls upon the art of story Telling, the importance of Names, and it stitches together how things have changed for these beings in a more modern world.
It is dark and captivating, it is powerful and rich in language. I can only hope more people check this one out so that it gets the attention it deserves
It follows the story of Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn. Steeped in a vivid world of mythology in North America. Coyote, the Old Man, seeks out Tommy Maple, for their is a dark threat growing, one Coyote can not beat. It calls upon the art of story Telling, the importance of Names, and it stitches together how things have changed for these beings in a more modern world.
It is dark and captivating, it is powerful and rich in language. I can only hope more people check this one out so that it gets the attention it deserves
December 20, 2018
This story has stuck with me for a couple of years, ever since I first read it. It is fey and wild and absolutely stunning. It's a mixture of mythology a la Gaiman's American Gods, dark fairy tale and Lovecraftian horror that sinks its hooks in and keeps you reading. I'm anxiously awaiting the new Tommy Maple story that comes out on Christmas Day, called The Harrowing of Twilight. Read this one now and you won't miss out when the next one launches. It gives me goosebumps every time I read it.
January 4, 2019
A little short but awesome.
It kept me riveted throughout its entire length. Dark fantasy, complete with mind breaking monstrosities, story telling magic, and deadly encounters.
I really love the concept of different genres threading through the same universe, with the same darkness stalking throughout. I will be reading more from JM Guillen, for sure.
It kept me riveted throughout its entire length. Dark fantasy, complete with mind breaking monstrosities, story telling magic, and deadly encounters.
I really love the concept of different genres threading through the same universe, with the same darkness stalking throughout. I will be reading more from JM Guillen, for sure.
August 2, 2018
Well, THAT went faster than anticipated! Which is to say, THIS BOOK WAS TOO SHORT! :) I loved it and I would have enjoyed seeing MORE of the history between the character, MORE conflict against the forces of darkness that seek to poison the world, just MORE! :) Beautiful imagery, great characters, loved the language—Well done!
July 20, 2017
An ejoyable novella about a fey spirit of Autumn, his conflicts with the native spirits in this land and greater evil that forces them to join forces. Not a very long or overly involved tale, I think there were just 8 or 9 scenex.
May 5, 2019
This was another book I could not finish due to poor writing and even worse formatting. The writing consisted of bad grammar (someone obviously didn't use an editor) and telling instead of showing.
Will not read this author again.
Will not read this author again.
January 11, 2021
This book is amazing. It brings you into his world, freaks you out, makes you laugh, you wonder what is next. Gripping, fun. The story flows on its own musical narrative. One of the best that I have read in a long time. J.m. Guillen is a mad genius.
October 11, 2017
Another great story by JM Guillien! Fall is the perfect time to read this unique and wonderfully original tale.
October 5, 2018
Short book.. really different.. Worth a little time.
March 14, 2017
Poetically written, a modern day fairy tale meets Native American legend. It reads like a short story (like all tales and legends do), but it's a little too long to be considered such. However, the length of it is it's beauty. The author takes his time to be as descriptive as possible, making even scents come alive.
The story itself is both creative and intriguing. I don't believe I will look at nature in the same way again.
The story itself is both creative and intriguing. I don't believe I will look at nature in the same way again.
October 7, 2016
I loved this. The lyricism is just that: like a song. Anything where mythos gets mixed up is my book, and this one does it so beautifully that I devoured the whole thing at once. Read this immediately. I hear tell the author is bent on world domination. I surrender!
October 8, 2013
Tommy Maple is the Herald of Autumn. He wakes ahead of schedule, drawn from slumber by Old Man Coyote, a trickster always at odds with Tommy’s kin. Soon he faces a dire enemy that threatens to erase the pages of his very story, drinking in his power and those like him. Tommy will find unlikely allies as he Hunts this festering darkness.
Autumn is my favorite season of the year. To me, it holds a magic unlike any other season. JM Guillen captures it so well. The scents, tastes, sounds, and feel of it all. I sat down with an autumn breeze whispering in through the window. Hot apple cider was at my side. Outside, a thick fog was rolling in. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy this tale.
The descriptive writing was wonderful. A delight to my senses. I felt like I was right there with Tommy Maple, Heralding Autumn at his side. I could taste the cider, feel the kiss of the September breeze and the chill as it sets in. I could hear the wolves and the distant call of the Hunt.
The characters were interesting and intriguing, though I found myself wanting more time with many of them. I found myself wanting to know more about the world of those characters. An interesting fusion, the main characters pulled their history from the myths of the First People, Native American folklore, as well as European mythology surrounding the Great Hunt and the fey. It was well-rooted in historical folktales, but more than that, these characters felt alive to me. I wondered what tricks Old Man Coyote was up to, just what his Telling could shape. I wanted to hear the tales of Tommy Maples adventures. A thousand of them. A thousand thousand. His past seems rich with adventure, and this was but one. The end of the tale leaves you wanting more, and the author suggests that there is more to come, and I can't wait to hear those tales.
Speaking of tales, the Telling of them was a powerful magic. To the folk in this tale, Storytelling holds an interesting sort of power that brought the magic of the story to life. I enjoyed the Tellings and would love to learn more about it. I found myself wanting to study it and find out the nuances of the system. Well done.
I very much enjoyed the story, but it was a bit short for me. Not that it pulled from the tale, but it left me wanting more. I wanted to get to know everyone more, but I think it fits. After all, the Herald is not meant to dally on. Isn't meant to have a home. But I felt saddened that he was in and out so quickly. I want to see more of Tommy. And more of his friends. We hear about some of the others, but see them so little. I'm intrigued by this world and I'd like to delve in. I want to learn more about the fey and the First Peoples as they relate in Guilllen's world. I am eagerly anticipating more.
I enjoyed seeing things from Tommy's perspective. He's a bit archaic, which might irk some, but I very much enjoyed it, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I enjoyed the archaic terms and thought they served to characterize him well. He's a man...if you could call him that...bound not by time, but by a season. Fated to repeat that season until a new Herald is called. I look forward to hear more of his tales. To find out what boon he will call on...
Hunt on, Tommy Maple.
Autumn is my favorite season of the year. To me, it holds a magic unlike any other season. JM Guillen captures it so well. The scents, tastes, sounds, and feel of it all. I sat down with an autumn breeze whispering in through the window. Hot apple cider was at my side. Outside, a thick fog was rolling in. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy this tale.
The descriptive writing was wonderful. A delight to my senses. I felt like I was right there with Tommy Maple, Heralding Autumn at his side. I could taste the cider, feel the kiss of the September breeze and the chill as it sets in. I could hear the wolves and the distant call of the Hunt.
The characters were interesting and intriguing, though I found myself wanting more time with many of them. I found myself wanting to know more about the world of those characters. An interesting fusion, the main characters pulled their history from the myths of the First People, Native American folklore, as well as European mythology surrounding the Great Hunt and the fey. It was well-rooted in historical folktales, but more than that, these characters felt alive to me. I wondered what tricks Old Man Coyote was up to, just what his Telling could shape. I wanted to hear the tales of Tommy Maples adventures. A thousand of them. A thousand thousand. His past seems rich with adventure, and this was but one. The end of the tale leaves you wanting more, and the author suggests that there is more to come, and I can't wait to hear those tales.
Speaking of tales, the Telling of them was a powerful magic. To the folk in this tale, Storytelling holds an interesting sort of power that brought the magic of the story to life. I enjoyed the Tellings and would love to learn more about it. I found myself wanting to study it and find out the nuances of the system. Well done.
I very much enjoyed the story, but it was a bit short for me. Not that it pulled from the tale, but it left me wanting more. I wanted to get to know everyone more, but I think it fits. After all, the Herald is not meant to dally on. Isn't meant to have a home. But I felt saddened that he was in and out so quickly. I want to see more of Tommy. And more of his friends. We hear about some of the others, but see them so little. I'm intrigued by this world and I'd like to delve in. I want to learn more about the fey and the First Peoples as they relate in Guilllen's world. I am eagerly anticipating more.
I enjoyed seeing things from Tommy's perspective. He's a bit archaic, which might irk some, but I very much enjoyed it, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I enjoyed the archaic terms and thought they served to characterize him well. He's a man...if you could call him that...bound not by time, but by a season. Fated to repeat that season until a new Herald is called. I look forward to hear more of his tales. To find out what boon he will call on...
Hunt on, Tommy Maple.
June 11, 2016
A major disappointment in a potentially interesting, but seriously messed-up "series" The Paean of Sundered Dreams.
Note while this book has an overall rating of 4-stars, for me it is a 1-star.
Why? The initial concept of this novel had great promise, but fell apart in the first few chapters. The character of the Herald of Autumn was only superficially "Autumn". To me, he did not act or behave in a way I thought or felt would be a personification of the season of "Autumn". Because of this, his actions throughout the entire book never felt "believable" for the character to me.
When a reader cannot accept the main fictional character as *believable*, a novel is in serious trouble.
The plot was all over the place, with aspect of Fae and Native Indian myths and some other stuff just thrown in from somewhere that never felt believable or connected.. And again, within this, the Herald never felt Autumn-like.
About a third of the way into the novel, I started skipping chapters, and the chapters I did read again never held my interest or believable as a creditable fantasy. The ending was a told misfire for me -- and left me wanting *nothing* else about this character.
* * *
With regards to J.M. Guillen's series "The Paean of Sundered Dreams," it is/WAS suppose to be a series of differing-types of genre novels with a similar, supposedly overall Lovecraftian-type theme. Within this series there are subseries from the various books, the only one truly developed are part of a series called "The Dossiers of Asset 108." The 3 books in that are all excellent Lovecraftian cyberpunk novels which I highly recommend for those interested in something very different.
But the overall series has been screwed-over Big Time by the author, though I strongly suspect (given what other authors have told be how their series have been screwed with) the *major* culprit is Amazon.
The order of the series has changed at least 3-4 times within the last 2 years. Books that were part of the series have vanished and, for now, are not part of the series. What was a least a 12-part series has been reduced to 7 books. A earlier edition of the book in the series I have list is a the 10th book. Now it is number 1 -- or number 6. As I said, the order is constantly shifting.
There are other books in 'Sundered Dreams' that promise another book in *that* subseries which is "Coming Soon" -- and after several years has *not*.
Maybe there *was* Once Upon A Time a series called "The Paean of Sundered Dreams" -- but if there was, I think it is now just tattered shreds, beyond repair. I suggest that if you like one subseries, stick with that as a series in and of itself. If you look at other books by the author, see if those individually interested you, but do NOT hope for any connection in theme with the series you did like.
*SIGH*
. . .
Note while this book has an overall rating of 4-stars, for me it is a 1-star.
Why? The initial concept of this novel had great promise, but fell apart in the first few chapters. The character of the Herald of Autumn was only superficially "Autumn". To me, he did not act or behave in a way I thought or felt would be a personification of the season of "Autumn". Because of this, his actions throughout the entire book never felt "believable" for the character to me.
When a reader cannot accept the main fictional character as *believable*, a novel is in serious trouble.
The plot was all over the place, with aspect of Fae and Native Indian myths and some other stuff just thrown in from somewhere that never felt believable or connected.. And again, within this, the Herald never felt Autumn-like.
About a third of the way into the novel, I started skipping chapters, and the chapters I did read again never held my interest or believable as a creditable fantasy. The ending was a told misfire for me -- and left me wanting *nothing* else about this character.
* * *
With regards to J.M. Guillen's series "The Paean of Sundered Dreams," it is/WAS suppose to be a series of differing-types of genre novels with a similar, supposedly overall Lovecraftian-type theme. Within this series there are subseries from the various books, the only one truly developed are part of a series called "The Dossiers of Asset 108." The 3 books in that are all excellent Lovecraftian cyberpunk novels which I highly recommend for those interested in something very different.
But the overall series has been screwed-over Big Time by the author, though I strongly suspect (given what other authors have told be how their series have been screwed with) the *major* culprit is Amazon.
The order of the series has changed at least 3-4 times within the last 2 years. Books that were part of the series have vanished and, for now, are not part of the series. What was a least a 12-part series has been reduced to 7 books. A earlier edition of the book in the series I have list is a the 10th book. Now it is number 1 -- or number 6. As I said, the order is constantly shifting.
There are other books in 'Sundered Dreams' that promise another book in *that* subseries which is "Coming Soon" -- and after several years has *not*.
Maybe there *was* Once Upon A Time a series called "The Paean of Sundered Dreams" -- but if there was, I think it is now just tattered shreds, beyond repair. I suggest that if you like one subseries, stick with that as a series in and of itself. If you look at other books by the author, see if those individually interested you, but do NOT hope for any connection in theme with the series you did like.
*SIGH*
. . .
February 7, 2014
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I first discovered Guillen’s writing while browsing his free short fiction at Irrational Worlds. I quickly moved on to his short novel Handmaiden’s Fury, which I adored. When Guillen put out a top-secret call for reviewers on Twitter, I knew that I had to become a part of his diabolical plot.
The Herald of Autumn by J.M. Guillen is the story of Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn. He is a spirit who awakens at the start of each fall, and has a magical bow that can call upon the Hunt. This year, he is awakened by a trickster Coyote spirit who has been scared by an evil that can consume even gods. Now Tommy must hunt that evil and do what he can to ensure its defeat.
Guillen’s writing is enchanting and sets the tone for the novel. His poetic language encapsulates the essence of his characters and the role that they play in the world.
"The brilliant sun shines its last through autumn’s glorious colors. Tonight, the moon will rise full and brilliant, and the people will dance with the harvest. It will be a night of stolen kisses and dire tales of the coming cold. Yet, above all, it is unity, it is family.
It is standing against the dark."
The premise of The Herald of Autumn calls to mind mythic fiction in the vein of Terri Windling or Charles de Lint. Native American spirits are real and still walk the land, but they don’t have the same power they once did. They spend more of their time asleep and people don’t call upon them like before. And yet, it’s a world where stories still have power, and where one’s debts are called to account. It’s a world of danger, magic, and beauty, and the gods’ loss of their former glory could be compared to leaves falling off of trees in the autumn. It seems a part of a cycle rather than the end of existence.
When I read Handmaiden’s Fury, I felt that the story was unfinished. This was not the case in The Herald of Autumn, even though the books are of similar lengths. At a little over a hundred pages, The Herald of Autumn gives us a glimpse into Tommy’s life by describing one of his many adventures. I love reading books of this length because I can relax and become immersed in them without having to worry about the time. They make nice bedtime reading, and you don’t have to risk pulling an all-nighter to finish a book that you can’t put down.
I was extremely satisfied with The Herald of Autumn, and will continue reading more of Guillen’s excellent work in the future.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I first discovered Guillen’s writing while browsing his free short fiction at Irrational Worlds. I quickly moved on to his short novel Handmaiden’s Fury, which I adored. When Guillen put out a top-secret call for reviewers on Twitter, I knew that I had to become a part of his diabolical plot.
The Herald of Autumn by J.M. Guillen is the story of Tommy Maple, the Herald of Autumn. He is a spirit who awakens at the start of each fall, and has a magical bow that can call upon the Hunt. This year, he is awakened by a trickster Coyote spirit who has been scared by an evil that can consume even gods. Now Tommy must hunt that evil and do what he can to ensure its defeat.
Guillen’s writing is enchanting and sets the tone for the novel. His poetic language encapsulates the essence of his characters and the role that they play in the world.
"The brilliant sun shines its last through autumn’s glorious colors. Tonight, the moon will rise full and brilliant, and the people will dance with the harvest. It will be a night of stolen kisses and dire tales of the coming cold. Yet, above all, it is unity, it is family.
It is standing against the dark."
The premise of The Herald of Autumn calls to mind mythic fiction in the vein of Terri Windling or Charles de Lint. Native American spirits are real and still walk the land, but they don’t have the same power they once did. They spend more of their time asleep and people don’t call upon them like before. And yet, it’s a world where stories still have power, and where one’s debts are called to account. It’s a world of danger, magic, and beauty, and the gods’ loss of their former glory could be compared to leaves falling off of trees in the autumn. It seems a part of a cycle rather than the end of existence.
When I read Handmaiden’s Fury, I felt that the story was unfinished. This was not the case in The Herald of Autumn, even though the books are of similar lengths. At a little over a hundred pages, The Herald of Autumn gives us a glimpse into Tommy’s life by describing one of his many adventures. I love reading books of this length because I can relax and become immersed in them without having to worry about the time. They make nice bedtime reading, and you don’t have to risk pulling an all-nighter to finish a book that you can’t put down.
I was extremely satisfied with The Herald of Autumn, and will continue reading more of Guillen’s excellent work in the future.
October 17, 2013
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank J. M Gullien, author of The Herald of Autumn, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this awesome book.
Wow, what a great read! It is a totally unique story and I don’t think there are any other stories like this. Mythology, folklore and long forgotten legends wrap up together to unravel this story to the readers. Here the author introduce us to the Herald of Autumn Tommy who awakens when Summer ends and Autumn comes and we are taken into the folds of his story where he faces many challenges and his very own existence is questioned.
I cannot describe the book in language because it’s exceptional and I don’t wanna give spoilers. I would definitely recommend this book to ya all and I know you’ll be shocked and surprised by the way it slowly unfurls itself and suck you in within the world that the author not only just created but also made believable by the remarkable and skilled style of writing. A must read for readers of all ages.
Firstly I would like to thank J. M Gullien, author of The Herald of Autumn, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this awesome book.
Wow, what a great read! It is a totally unique story and I don’t think there are any other stories like this. Mythology, folklore and long forgotten legends wrap up together to unravel this story to the readers. Here the author introduce us to the Herald of Autumn Tommy who awakens when Summer ends and Autumn comes and we are taken into the folds of his story where he faces many challenges and his very own existence is questioned.
I cannot describe the book in language because it’s exceptional and I don’t wanna give spoilers. I would definitely recommend this book to ya all and I know you’ll be shocked and surprised by the way it slowly unfurls itself and suck you in within the world that the author not only just created but also made believable by the remarkable and skilled style of writing. A must read for readers of all ages.
October 6, 2013
The Herald of Autumn casts his glamour on you from the first page, and weaves a story that you will gladly follow til the last. I couldn't recommend this more.
A tale of danger and unknown enemies unfolds in this beautifully written story. From soft loving moments to skin crawling danger, you will live through Tommy's eyes feeling each moment. The prose is poetic and engaging.
A truly original concept, a rarity in itself, comes to life in Herald of Autumn, where the power of words IS as mighty as the sword. I had high expectations going in, from reading the excerpt alone, and I was not disappointed.
Full of complex ideas and mythologies, this small tale is but a brief glimpse into a rich new world. I couldn't help but want to know more about Tommy Maple and all his Autumns past and yet to come... You'll want to know all his secrets too...
A tale of danger and unknown enemies unfolds in this beautifully written story. From soft loving moments to skin crawling danger, you will live through Tommy's eyes feeling each moment. The prose is poetic and engaging.
A truly original concept, a rarity in itself, comes to life in Herald of Autumn, where the power of words IS as mighty as the sword. I had high expectations going in, from reading the excerpt alone, and I was not disappointed.
Full of complex ideas and mythologies, this small tale is but a brief glimpse into a rich new world. I couldn't help but want to know more about Tommy Maple and all his Autumns past and yet to come... You'll want to know all his secrets too...
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