Today we are excited to share a guest post from author O.C. Jaime (The Seven Thunders: Rise of the Twinkling Heir)!
Read on for more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
About the Author: O.C. Jaime
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 (all available upon request).
Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok
About the Book: The Seven Thunders: Rise of the Twinkling Heir
“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.
Rise of the Twinkling Heir is an upper MG Fantasy complete at 78,366 words and will appeal to readers who enjoy rollicking adventures featuring a reluctant hero like Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice (Margaret K. McElderry, 2021) and exciting rite-of-passage epics like Shadow Magic (Little, Brown, 2016) meets The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic Press, 2007). It is whimsical, steampunkish fantasy imbued with a vibrant voice, wry humor, and an unshakable charm that will transport readers to a unique and rich setting and have them eagerly anticipating the sequels.
Kirkus Reviews gave it Verdict: “Get it!”, calling it “A clever coming-of-age tale with a steampunk edge. . . . Readers will be enthralled by the author’s meticulous and detailed worldbuilding.”
~Guest Post by O.C. Jaime~
Thunder, Music, and a Book. – by O.C. Jaime
Dear Reader,
Hear forward till Abrie’s Tail again streaks across the Thunderland skies (which will be in 30 years according to most distinguished cosmological luminaries) I will no longer address you as “Reader” but as Thunderhead. Triunes willing I will still draw breath when the great comet thrills us yet again with its glorious return.
Thunderhead is a term of affection and one you should wear proudly. To be a Thunderhead is to be a pursuer of knowledge of the Thunderlands and all its pillars: its peoples, its races: mankind, orckind, trollkind, dwarvenkind, goblinkind, elvenkind and other faes not yet labeled, its seasons, its hemispheres, its topography, its societal structures and pyramids, its politics, its animal kingdoms: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates, invertebrates, bipeds and quadrupeds, those having live births and those which lay eggs – the natural and the magical, it’s forests and jungles and all manner of vegetation, its cities and centers of commerce, its courtiers and its queen, its seaways; its oceans, lakes and rivers, and most of all – its Thunders.
Thunderhead – a term of affection indeed – and I rather like the idea of affection when it comes to introducing you to this world.
What is a Thunder? 20 years I have spent in this land, learning of it, immersing myself in its cultures like a native to understand its ways. I am a tourist at best. Atticus Peabody’s Dictionary for newsmen and journalists defines Thunder as [thuhn-der]:
- A military school for the training of warriors in the use of wielders for the protection of the seven realms.
- A citadel and preparatory school for boys and girls by rigorous acceptance only, where students habitually wear the uniform of their school and follow strict military routine.
- Elite military training of the highest order.
There are seven Thunders in the Thunderlands. Each Thunder is unique in its mission, lethality, and focus. Each Thunder has its own color. Each Thunder has its own wielder, by which it exerts its lethality. 640 acceptances go out every May for each Thunder. 20% never make it to the academic year after Plebe Summer.
The Thunders are truly distinct, as is the 20-years journey of writing book 1 and all the creative thought and content that has been thoughtfully assembled through time to better connect you to this world. From the written word on the page, to captivating illustrations, to tasty confections like Chocowackolikits from the book, science has proven that nothing connects the human centers of emotion (the limbic system in our brain) to a person, place, or thing faster than music. So why not have music with a book? Everybody’s life has a soundtrack. You hear all the time how someone we know, or we don’t know, gets a memory triggered by a song they hear on the radio or some random playlist. Mine tend to be 80’s rock hits. Music is sticky. Music has an intangible, inexplicable quality, some would say heaven-created capacity, to cut through all the noise around us and touch our soul. So why not create a soundtrack to instantly transport you to this world!
And so, my Thunderheads, we did.
In enters Grant Newman, our composer. I was introduced to Grant in 2018. Grant is a quiet, humble man with an incredible gift for music composition and orchestration that rivals the best movie composers you’ve ever heard, in my opinion, though he would quickly refuse such praise, as he is a humble man. But trust me when I say, the world will soon know Grant Newman’s name. I remember our first collaboration phone call like it was yesterday. Grant pitched his vision for the piece. He spoke about wanting to take the listener on a journey. He spoke about what he wanted people to feel, what he wanted them to experience and see in their heads. Granted wanted to give The Seven Thunders its voice. And so, he has.
It is with great pride that I introduce you to the thematic musical score to book 1. Put on your best earbuds and turn up the volume! The Seven Thunders Musical Score
Inkling #2:
What is The Seven Thunders? It is Hammerfeld. It is Quiverhold. It is Aguila Nest. It is Glimmeroc. It is Flicker Rims. It is Vale of Bishops. It is Bitterberg. Long have they stood in defense of the lands. And it is music by the hands of a fellow Thunderhead, skillfully constructed as the very foundations upon which each Thunder stands. Hear and see!
Title: The Seven Thunders: Rise of the Twinkling Heir
Author: O.C. Jaime
Illustrator: Leah Palmer-Preiss (Cover), Victoria Fomina (Stand-alone art), Misty Beee (Maps)
Release Date: 1 October 2025
Publisher: World of Thunders Books
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Range 10-14
*Giveaway Details*
Seven (7) winners will receive an author signed hardcover copy of The Seven Thunders: Rise of the Twinkling Heir (O.C. Jaime)! ~ US ONLY!
