why the 'prequel cycle' is perfect autumn reading

I don't know if it will ever come to pass that Threads of Wyrd is broken into two sets for sale, but for the purposes of this post, I'm gonna call The Kraken and The Canary, Of Flint and Fortune, and Of Valentines and Visions the prequel cycle. It makes sense in my head and stands well outside of it.

I've written before about the chronology of the series, and how it's simpler to envision these three as following Paul Apollyon, with the latter three following his nephew. The cast is much more of an ensemble than that, but for simplicity's sake!

These prequels are excellent for this time of year. They do take place in autumn, with Valentines occurring around Halloween, but more than that: thematically, they may pull more darkly than the OGs. I haven't decided, because it isn't as though things like suicidal ideation, grieving, and a haunted pub aren't gothic. And there is the whole Alastair-is-a-ghost part. With the added Paul-and-Alastair reunite while the latter is a ghost thing. We also can't forget David's rather hands-on exploration of being, more or less, a necromancer.

Right, so all six stories are excellent for Halloween and the dark of winter.

Let's focus on the first three.

If you've read either of the two that are presently released, you know what I mean already. If not, here's what you have to look forward to:

• Unstable ex
• Abrupt death
• Near-death
• Secrets on secrets on secrets
• Murder
• One ghost, although certain locations may also be haunted
• Premonitions, some quite unsettling
• Mental instability
• Introspection
• A derelict church's churchyard
• Old Shuck making an appearance?
• An abandoned house
• Breaking and entering
• Bonus: if you've read the originally published trio, you'll notice echoes and poignant parallels between past and present... e.g., between Bertie and older, future Paul

These prequels are romances, still, complete with HFNs and HEAs (depending on your perspective), yet I firmly stick them into the gothic (Gothic) romance category. I flirted with horror in this series, and that's been a love of mine since I was little. (Not to spill any beans before their own time... sorry about the malapropism... but I'm presently contemplating a more horror-adjacent project.)

I advise picking 'em up to read this autumn and early winter... their vibes are delicious and will suit perfectly! More on Valentine's impending release soon x