As the release of the final installment, Brothersong, draws near, beloved author TJ Klune reflects on the journey of his much-adored Green Creek series. Klune bids farewell to the characters and stories that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Join us as he shares his thoughts and emotions on concluding this remarkable saga, offering fans a heartfelt glimpse into the end of an era.
Read TJ Klune’s piece below, and make sure to pre-order your copy of Brothersong, coming 7/30/2024
by TJ Klune
Ten years ago, in 2014, I started to write a story about a place called Green Creek, and the people who called the town home. It wasn’t meant to be a paranormal fantasy book. Instead, I wanted to write a queer take on Romeo and Juliet about two families who were at odds with each other. And then I decided to make it about werewolves, for some reason. I don’t know. Just go with it.
Brothersong is the finale of a series that I did not expect to write when I first began Wolfsong a decade ago. But the more I spent time with these characters, the more I learned about them, the more I wanted to stay in that world. Yes, it meant breaking hearts and piling angst on top of angst and yet, I knew the characters could handle it, so long as they had each other.
After all, isn’t that true to life?
Through Wolfsong and then Ravensong and Heartsong, I got to do something very cool: I was able to follow the same characters for literal years of their lives. Think about it: when Wolfsong opens, Ox Matheson is just a boy. By the time the series finishes, he’s a man in his thirties. I watched him grow up, make mistakes and learn from them, become the man I always knew he’d be. It was and remains a unique experience in my writing. I’ve never written such an extended period of time involving specific characters before. It taught me a lot. It also made me want to bang my head against the nearest hard surface every now and then.
And look, I know that people want more of these characters. They want to see what happens after the final page. To be honest, I’ve considered it. I’ve thought about writing another book or three in this series, but something has always stopped me. To write more in this world would mean putting the Bennett pack through more shit, and I have to wonder: when is enough enough? Undoubtedly, I could spin some tale about the aftermath of the first four books, and what it looks like when the wolf world attempts to move on from kings and queens.
Let’s nip this in the bud right here, shall we? I won’t write another book in this series. I’ve told the story I wanted to tell. Each book has its own meaning, its own purpose, while the overarching story plays out by the very end. I tied up most of the threads I thought needed to be tied up, and the ones that aren’t, well. I think it’s always good to leave a bit of mystery behind.
I have favorite parts of each book. I love Wolfsong because it allowed me to try a different type of way to tell a story. I love Ravensong because having two jerks in their forties get a second chance at life and love is so, so important. I love Heartsong because of how much it messed with the perception readers had of the series.
And I love Brothersong because of Carter and Gavin. Carter, who showed he had limitless depth to his heart and soul. Gavin, who fought the monster within to try and find his place in the world. Isn’t that just so human of them? Regardless of whatever else they are, those two (and all the others) are so wonderfully and heartbreakingly human. And even more, they act like people do: the good, the bad, and the ugly. How many times did you want to scream at the characters for the decisions they made? A few times? A dozen times? Isn’t that life?
I thought my time with Green Creek was over. And then Tor came knocking, and the books found new life, new readers, new people to cry over those fuckin’ werewolves. Many of you did it on public transportation—which, you know, is a choice. You think I’m joking, but I’m not. Out of everything I’ve written, I’ve heard from more readers about this series when they chose to read it on a bus or a train or a taxi or a plane. Why do you like sobbing in public?!? (That is not kinkshaming.)
Thank you. Thank you for loving these characters as much as I do. Thank you for inviting them in, going on a journey with them, and feeling as protective of them as I do. It’s funny: I never expected these books to go as far as they have. If you’d have told me in 2014 that ten years on I’d be gearing up for the last book to come out (again), I’d have thought you out of your mind. I’m very lucky to do what I do. And any success I’ve had is in no small part due to the readers who go on these adventures with me. One last time, shall we? One last time into Green Creek (and the world beyond). One last time to see the pack come together to protect their home from forces that would take everything from them. I have a feeling they’re about to kick some major ass.
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Check out The Green Creek Series and pre-order the new hardcover edition of Brothersong—available on July 30, 2024!
