Description
“To Wear The Red, You Must Become the Red!” Warrior’s words, a Thunder’s words, words 12-year-old Hermium Goodspeed never imagined he’d say.
Scrawny, cerebral amateur tinkerer Hermium Goodspeed isn’t cut out to be a soldier—so he’s stunned when he receives a second letter to a Thunder – a red letter – to attend the most elite magic-military academy in the Thunderlands.
At the grand fortress of Glimmeroc, Hermium is faced with the grueling training to join the ranks of the airjocks, who defend the skies with the help of their magical flying suits. Monstrous things stalk him inside the keep, that threaten not only Hermium, but the realm.
In this place where he felt he’d never belong, Hermium discovers that he is heir to a secret destiny. With the help of his friends and legendary emissaries of the Gods, Hermium must face what hunts him to uncover the truth of his past.
When the armies of light and darkness meet on the battlefield, only Hermium can tip the scales.
The Seven Thunders, Rise of the Twinkling Heir is an upper middle-grade fantasy for readers who enjoy rollicking adventures featuring a reluctant hero like Margaret K. McElderrry’s Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice and exciting rite-of-passage epics like Shadow Magic meets The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
About the Contributors
Author O.C. Jaime is a senior analyst in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Writer’s Center and the Steampunk Writers & Artists Guild. Drawing upon his background in mapping, worldbuilding, and storytelling, he has created in the Seven Thunders an immersive fantasy world and assembled a team of creatives to support it with multimedia content that can be leveraged for marketing and promotion, including an original soundtrack, in-world ephemera, and visuals.
Cover Illustrator Leah Palmer-Preiss: professional freelance illustrator and calligrapher with extensive experience in book and magazine publishing, especially fantasy novels and children’s books. Book Publishers: HarperCollins; Hyperion; Disney; Little, Brown; Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt; Penguin; Random House; Candlewick; Macmillan; Viking; Henry Holt; Algonquin; David R. Godine; Penguin NZ; Hazard Press (NZ); Tarn Publishing (NZ); Periodicals: New York Times; Utne Reader; GAMES; Urbanite; Santa Fe Reporter; Horticulture; Eating Well; Woman’s Day; Delta Sky; Cricket; Spider; Ladybug; Cicada; Cobblestone; Weekly Reader.
Interior Single-page Illustrator Victoria Fomina: illustrator, painter, and graphic designer for over 50 books for leading publishers, from classic fairy tales and novels to biographies of the great composers, including What on Earth Publishing with His Majesty King Charles III, Märtha Louise Princess of Norway, Gallimard Jeunesse, Penguin Random House, Kingfisher, Rizzoli, Grimm Press, Samsung and Vogue.
Map Illustrator Misty Beee: 2019 Cartography Atlas Awards winner for Best Regional MapBest City, Town or Village MapBest Overall Map; 2020 Cartography Atlas Awards winner for Best World MapBest Structure; Dungeon or Gaming MapMost Creative MapBest Overall Map.
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Reviews
Kirkus Reviews gave it Verdict: “Get it!”
“A 12-year-old boy discovers his true fate when he enrolls in an elite military academy in Jaime’s middle-grade fantasy novel. Readers will be enthralled by the author’s meticulous and detailed worldbuilding. A clever coming-of-age tale with a steampunk edge.”
Booklife Review: Straight A’s!
“Jaime skillfully blends horror and fantasy in this sweeping hero’s journey, curating likable characters and imagery that bring the story’s impressive mythos to life. Fans of coming-of-age stories brimming with magical destiny will be eager for the next installment. Comparable Titles: Alison Croggon’s Pellinor series; Eliza Raine’s Olympus Academy series.”
