The Harrowing of Twilight – enter and be delightfully lost forever in J.M. Guillen’s Irr

I read The Herald of Autumn, the first book featuring Tommy Maple, a couple of years ago. When I heard there was going to be a second story, I lost my everloving flipping mind.

J.M. Guillen is a madman who writes books in multiple genres, all of which tie back together battling the same eldritch forces across time and space. I’ve read several of the others, which are fantastic in their own right, especially Rationality Zero. But Tommy Maple’s story holds a special place in my heart.

You see, the first book has stuck with me all that time–the prose and the poetry and the storytelling was magical. 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.

The second book, The Harrowing of Twilight, did not disappoint me.

Tommy Maple wears the mantle of Autumn, and as such is bound by the will of the Autumn Queen. Tommy is a wild and free spirit, but when ancient codes and questions three threaten to bind him, he must face not only the fear of losing his freedom, but protect himself and the humans who still live under the Old Ways from creatures of dark magic bent on destroying everything.

This is a continuation of the story told in Herald, so do yourself a favor and read the first book before the second. You will not regret it, I swear.