The Longest Autumn

Avery’s uneven fantasy debut describes a world where the four seasons are deities. Tirne serves as Autumn’s herald, ushering the god in through a magical mirror when the world is ready for his presence. When the mirror he uses as a doorway breaks, however, the god is trapped in the human realm, unleashing a never-ending fall that could threaten all life. Stripped of her title, Tirne tries to discover who broke the mirror so that she can reclaim her position. She also develops unexpected feelings for Autumn, who is becoming more human the longer he stays in the world. With its backroom deals and bed-hopping, this fantasy may bring to mind George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones, saturated with Stephenie Meyer levels of sex and melodrama. Unfortunately, the story wanders, and the ending seems to just happen. Even so, Avery demonstrates some gorgeous worldbuilding, and Tirne, as narrated by Zura Johnson, will have listeners invested in her story as she discovers her identity beyond being a herald.