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The Twilight Magus: An Arkham Horror Novel
Exiled occultist Carl Sanford attempts to join a secret society as a stepping stone to even greater power while his old enemies hunt him across Spain in this new installment to the eldritch-rich horror pulp adventure world of Arkham Horror.
Carl Sanford, once the Silver Twilight Lodge’s great leader and now presumed dead, lives in anonymity in Spain, plotting revenge against those who betrayed him. Alone, he calculates his first move to achieve power abroad is by being initiated into the mysterious ancient society called the Red Coterie to secretly take it over. Despite Sanford’s reputation, the Red Coterie demands proof of his occult prowess, sending him on a quest to vanquish The Blood Moon, a reclusive blood magus manipulating humans and monsters alike to achieve their own ends. As Sanford uses every scrap of cunning he possesses to outwit his enemies and prove his worth, old foes from Arkham have discovered his existence and are coming to finish him off once and for all.
Carl Sanford, once the Silver Twilight Lodge’s great leader and now presumed dead, lives in anonymity in Spain, plotting revenge against those who betrayed him. Alone, he calculates his first move to achieve power abroad is by being initiated into the mysterious ancient society called the Red Coterie to secretly take it over. Despite Sanford’s reputation, the Red Coterie demands proof of his occult prowess, sending him on a quest to vanquish The Blood Moon, a reclusive blood magus manipulating humans and monsters alike to achieve their own ends. As Sanford uses every scrap of cunning he possesses to outwit his enemies and prove his worth, old foes from Arkham have discovered his existence and are coming to finish him off once and for all.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 4, 2025
Carl Sanford is one of my favorite characters. We've got to see him rise and fall and start the ascent all over again. I loved getting to see a softer side of Carl in this installment and getting more of Sarah's story too. I hope there will be another chapter in Carl's story coming soon.
Thank you to Aconyte and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to Aconyte and NetGalley for the ARC!
August 1, 2025
Received as an ARC for Netgalley:
God I love the character of Carl Sanford. All of Tim Pratt's Arkham Horror books are must reads, but this one especially hits all of the vibes you'd want from an Arkham Horror novel. Great cosmic horror, fantastic full fleshed characters, and plenty of outstanding descriptions of Spain.
You feel like you're walking the streets of Madrid with Carl Sanford.
I feel like I could read a million of these set in all kinds of amazing locales.
God I love the character of Carl Sanford. All of Tim Pratt's Arkham Horror books are must reads, but this one especially hits all of the vibes you'd want from an Arkham Horror novel. Great cosmic horror, fantastic full fleshed characters, and plenty of outstanding descriptions of Spain.
You feel like you're walking the streets of Madrid with Carl Sanford.
I feel like I could read a million of these set in all kinds of amazing locales.
May 31, 2025
My thanks to both NetGalley and Aconyte Books for an advance copy of the third book in this series about a powerful man, driven from all that he knows, with only the rings of power on his fingers, an indomitable will, a need for vengeance, and an old world in which to regain his fortune.
If one goes for the head of a powerful occult society on best not miss. In the case of Carl Sanford the forces against him not only missed, but gave him something that Sanford had no idea he needed. A reason. Being a powerful magician one gets used to the prestige, the fear, the creatures of the night that serve. This breeds a certain complacency. Stripped of his cabal, his fortune, his library and his relics, and nearly his life, Sanford finds himself away from Arkham, Massachusetts, and back in the Old World of Spain. Sanford has a new thirst for power, a new drive to succeed, and revenge always at the top of his thoughts, even as enemies, both new and old, plan to erase his memory from the world. The Twilight Magus: An Arkham Horror Novel by Tim Pratt is the third book in the Sanford files, dealing with new eldritch horrors, new cultists, and a threat that could change history.
Carl Sanford was once head of the Silver Twilight Lodge, a powerful force in Arkham, Massachusetts, and one that gave him power in both the material and ethereal worlds. This ended with betrayal, his house shattered, his fortune taken, and nearly his life, Sanford has traveled to Spain to rebuild his strength and power base in order to take back what was once his. There is a rumor of an old group, made up of strong magicians the Red Coterie, one Sanford hopes to join, and eventually make his own. Sanford has also learned that old betrayers have learned that he is not dead, and are coming to Europe to finish what they started. An opportunity from the Red Coterie is offered. If Sanford is able to defeat one of the most powerful creatures in Madrid, the Blood Moon, Sanford would be brought into the Coterie, and given the power he craves. Though no one knows where the Blood Moon lurks, how their power works, or even how many followers they have. The mission sounds impossible, but Sanford loves a challenge, if he can only stay alive long enough, and sane enough to keep his head in the fight.
I truly enjoy these Arkham books, though I have only played the game maybe twice. These are some of the most fun, most interesting horror books that I have read, loaded with ideas, and characters that I really can't get enough of. I enjoy this series watching Carl Sanford go from a full of himself Aleister Crowley-like person, to a John Constantine-like character, sort-of-ahead of his enemies, thought failing and getting hurt more often than not. The setting is really good. Arkham has been played out, hence the flooding storyline that is running concurrent to these stories, opening the world to the writers. One can tell that Pratt really loves Spain. Both Madrid and Barcelona are travelled, with descriptions of places and people, that are as interesting as the story. Which is quite good, moving well at a good pace, never losing the reader even with the different POV's, and again never slowing down.
One can read this without reading the other books in the series, but I recommend the whole series as they are quite good. I always look forward to seeing Tim Pratt's name on these books as he is an author I quite like. Another solid book in the Arkham Horror series.
If one goes for the head of a powerful occult society on best not miss. In the case of Carl Sanford the forces against him not only missed, but gave him something that Sanford had no idea he needed. A reason. Being a powerful magician one gets used to the prestige, the fear, the creatures of the night that serve. This breeds a certain complacency. Stripped of his cabal, his fortune, his library and his relics, and nearly his life, Sanford finds himself away from Arkham, Massachusetts, and back in the Old World of Spain. Sanford has a new thirst for power, a new drive to succeed, and revenge always at the top of his thoughts, even as enemies, both new and old, plan to erase his memory from the world. The Twilight Magus: An Arkham Horror Novel by Tim Pratt is the third book in the Sanford files, dealing with new eldritch horrors, new cultists, and a threat that could change history.
Carl Sanford was once head of the Silver Twilight Lodge, a powerful force in Arkham, Massachusetts, and one that gave him power in both the material and ethereal worlds. This ended with betrayal, his house shattered, his fortune taken, and nearly his life, Sanford has traveled to Spain to rebuild his strength and power base in order to take back what was once his. There is a rumor of an old group, made up of strong magicians the Red Coterie, one Sanford hopes to join, and eventually make his own. Sanford has also learned that old betrayers have learned that he is not dead, and are coming to Europe to finish what they started. An opportunity from the Red Coterie is offered. If Sanford is able to defeat one of the most powerful creatures in Madrid, the Blood Moon, Sanford would be brought into the Coterie, and given the power he craves. Though no one knows where the Blood Moon lurks, how their power works, or even how many followers they have. The mission sounds impossible, but Sanford loves a challenge, if he can only stay alive long enough, and sane enough to keep his head in the fight.
I truly enjoy these Arkham books, though I have only played the game maybe twice. These are some of the most fun, most interesting horror books that I have read, loaded with ideas, and characters that I really can't get enough of. I enjoy this series watching Carl Sanford go from a full of himself Aleister Crowley-like person, to a John Constantine-like character, sort-of-ahead of his enemies, thought failing and getting hurt more often than not. The setting is really good. Arkham has been played out, hence the flooding storyline that is running concurrent to these stories, opening the world to the writers. One can tell that Pratt really loves Spain. Both Madrid and Barcelona are travelled, with descriptions of places and people, that are as interesting as the story. Which is quite good, moving well at a good pace, never losing the reader even with the different POV's, and again never slowing down.
One can read this without reading the other books in the series, but I recommend the whole series as they are quite good. I always look forward to seeing Tim Pratt's name on these books as he is an author I quite like. Another solid book in the Arkham Horror series.
July 9, 2025
Another fun Sanford story! This one didn't hit quite as hard as Herald of Ruin did for me, both because it was a bit repetitive (another story of two awful sorcerers fighting each other for control and power in a city), and because despite getting to see Sanford at his lowest, he was still largely narcissistically certain of his own power and ability to take charge of anything he wanted to. It was saved for me with that by Sanford growing and changing as a character after experiencing what it was like to not be backed at the very, very end, even if he still had his pure egotism. I'm not sure it entirely sold me on that growth over time, but I enjoyed seeing it.
Loved Estrella. I hope she gets a cute girlfriend. (Maybe she and Pepper from the Countess Zorzi books can meet... wink.) Also really loved the way Altman's dark passenger was written, what a fun and horrible character!
Thorne makes a return in this one, and I am a huge, huge Thorne fan based on their appearance in Song of Carcosa. They are... less playful in this, less themselves and full of constant visible manipulations, and it's hard to say if this is just a flaw in representing the character or if Thorne is just really checked out and displeased to be dealing with Sanford, which I could believe. I would also interact differently with Sanford than I would with Zorzi. The other Coterie members we meet are fascinating, though. Loved the Claret Knight.
Speaking of the Coterie, this part is a bit spoilery, so please feel free to skip, but... they are fundamentally a queer organization. Oh, a cult, and eldritch nightmare sorcerers and all that, but all the members in the books I've read are queer in some way (They appear in Song of Carcosa and in this book, and also a short story collection I haven't yet read). The Cavalier, Thorne, Cinabre, the Claret Knight, the Blood Moon -- all queer or queer-coded if not confirmed; and ultimately, a system is what it does. I was frowning very heavily throughout most of the book at the idea of having to deal with a narcissistic straight guy trying to take it over from the inside, especially a protagonist (Sanford is usually written as getting what he wants in SOME way, if not the way he intended).
I will say it felt very odd to have this one coming out before the last book of the Drowned City trilogy since so much of the aftermath of what happened in the Nightmare Quest of April May was described here even though we haven't seen it directly yet. But that one's a marketing decision, not on the book itself.
All in all, 4 stars, and I look forward to reading the next one! Especially if I can see more of Sanford having to deal with a smart-talking murder demon in his head.
Thank you to Net Galley and Aconyte Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Loved Estrella. I hope she gets a cute girlfriend. (Maybe she and Pepper from the Countess Zorzi books can meet... wink.) Also really loved the way Altman's dark passenger was written, what a fun and horrible character!
Thorne makes a return in this one, and I am a huge, huge Thorne fan based on their appearance in Song of Carcosa. They are... less playful in this, less themselves and full of constant visible manipulations, and it's hard to say if this is just a flaw in representing the character or if Thorne is just really checked out and displeased to be dealing with Sanford, which I could believe. I would also interact differently with Sanford than I would with Zorzi. The other Coterie members we meet are fascinating, though. Loved the Claret Knight.
Speaking of the Coterie, this part is a bit spoilery, so please feel free to skip, but... they are fundamentally a queer organization. Oh, a cult, and eldritch nightmare sorcerers and all that, but all the members in the books I've read are queer in some way (They appear in Song of Carcosa and in this book, and also a short story collection I haven't yet read). The Cavalier, Thorne, Cinabre, the Claret Knight, the Blood Moon -- all queer or queer-coded if not confirmed; and ultimately, a system is what it does. I was frowning very heavily throughout most of the book at the idea of having to deal with a narcissistic straight guy trying to take it over from the inside, especially a protagonist (Sanford is usually written as getting what he wants in SOME way, if not the way he intended).
I will say it felt very odd to have this one coming out before the last book of the Drowned City trilogy since so much of the aftermath of what happened in the Nightmare Quest of April May was described here even though we haven't seen it directly yet. But that one's a marketing decision, not on the book itself.
All in all, 4 stars, and I look forward to reading the next one! Especially if I can see more of Sanford having to deal with a smart-talking murder demon in his head.
Thank you to Net Galley and Aconyte Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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August 28, 2025One of the (many) fun things about Arkham Horror is that there are far more villains than heroes. They range from creepy to over the top, or even charismatic. Carl Sanford tries on a regular basis to insert himself into that last category. I don’t know that he ever quite succeeds, but he’s still so much fun to read about!
In this most recent book, things aren’t going so well for him. He’s hiding out in Spain, with thoughts of revenge against his betrayers swirling through his head. Of course, he’s currently without his usual arsenal, what with losing…well, pretty much everything. He sees a way to return to his days on top by joining the ancient society known as the Red Coterie. The catch? In order to do so, he has to find and defeat the mysterious magus known as the Blood Moon.
What follows is a mad rush to adjust plans as everything goes awry, while somehow hoping to end up on top.
Carl Sanford is one of those nefarious characters that I love. He’s unapologetically villainous and power-mad. That’s fun in and of itself, but it’s his ridiculously egotistical nature that lends him a certain panache. Seeing more of him, especially as he’s presented challenges that he’s rather unprepared for, makes for a rip-roaring good time. This could have been written as a road trip, instead of the horror-infused romp that it is, and I would have been satisfied; he’s such an interesting character.
The plot and setting added that delightfully creepy Arkham Horror flair. Author Tim Pratt brought his skill and experience once again, making this a book that shouldn’t be missed. The Twilight Magus has a great combination of villainous swagger and clawing for power in a setting where everyone else is doing the same. Recommended.
Thank you to Aconyte Books for providing me with a review copy of this book. My opinions are completely my own.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
In this most recent book, things aren’t going so well for him. He’s hiding out in Spain, with thoughts of revenge against his betrayers swirling through his head. Of course, he’s currently without his usual arsenal, what with losing…well, pretty much everything. He sees a way to return to his days on top by joining the ancient society known as the Red Coterie. The catch? In order to do so, he has to find and defeat the mysterious magus known as the Blood Moon.
What follows is a mad rush to adjust plans as everything goes awry, while somehow hoping to end up on top.
Carl Sanford is one of those nefarious characters that I love. He’s unapologetically villainous and power-mad. That’s fun in and of itself, but it’s his ridiculously egotistical nature that lends him a certain panache. Seeing more of him, especially as he’s presented challenges that he’s rather unprepared for, makes for a rip-roaring good time. This could have been written as a road trip, instead of the horror-infused romp that it is, and I would have been satisfied; he’s such an interesting character.
The plot and setting added that delightfully creepy Arkham Horror flair. Author Tim Pratt brought his skill and experience once again, making this a book that shouldn’t be missed. The Twilight Magus has a great combination of villainous swagger and clawing for power in a setting where everyone else is doing the same. Recommended.
Thank you to Aconyte Books for providing me with a review copy of this book. My opinions are completely my own.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
June 30, 2025
Set in the 1920's this horror is a great read for fans of Lovecraft or classic noir movies. The novel follows Carl Sanford as he begins to rebuild his lost power after the events of the previous book.
While the book is well written, with an intricate and well put together plot, it was not for me. I did not enjoy the way this book was written despite being intrigued by the premise.
The author clearly has a gift for writing that kept me reading longer than I should have, but it simply was the wrong choice for me. I DNF'd at 30%.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
While the book is well written, with an intricate and well put together plot, it was not for me. I did not enjoy the way this book was written despite being intrigued by the premise.
The author clearly has a gift for writing that kept me reading longer than I should have, but it simply was the wrong choice for me. I DNF'd at 30%.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
A mischievous, fast-paced fantasy adventure with a great anti-hero protagonist
The Twilight Magus is a great, fast-paced, smoothly written adventure story with a fantasy twist set in 1920’s Spain, making it a bit different. Protagonist, Carl Sandford, is also a bit different from the usual fantasy adventure hero, being older, distinctly villainous and currently in a slump after losing his magical lodge. His quest for revenge fuels the adventure in the story, introduces a bunch of well-written and interesting side characters and delivers a fun, surprising conclusion. Twilight Magus is a well written romp with a lot of verve and style.
The Twilight Magus is a great, fast-paced, smoothly written adventure story with a fantasy twist set in 1920’s Spain, making it a bit different. Protagonist, Carl Sandford, is also a bit different from the usual fantasy adventure hero, being older, distinctly villainous and currently in a slump after losing his magical lodge. His quest for revenge fuels the adventure in the story, introduces a bunch of well-written and interesting side characters and delivers a fun, surprising conclusion. Twilight Magus is a well written romp with a lot of verve and style.
October 22, 2025
This was a decent and quick read, felt like a bit of a side story. A bit light on the eldritch and the horror but well written and had a good pace, and a good little story with an interesting villain.
However compared to the previous two I feel like not much really happened overall.
Also we were led to believe Sandford was down and out, but he still had enough magic and money to do pretty much anything effortlessly that was thrown at him. Probably used the 'it's just magic, accept it, card a bit too much.
Overall, it was OK.
However compared to the previous two I feel like not much really happened overall.
Also we were led to believe Sandford was down and out, but he still had enough magic and money to do pretty much anything effortlessly that was thrown at him. Probably used the 'it's just magic, accept it, card a bit too much.
Overall, it was OK.
June 11, 2025
ARC from Netgalley.
Carl Sanford, late of Arkham, down but never out abroad.
Pratt's anti-hero rewards readers, sauntering into danger well dressed and with a trick up his sleeve, no matter the situation.
I hope this isn't the last we see of him.
Carl Sanford, late of Arkham, down but never out abroad.
Pratt's anti-hero rewards readers, sauntering into danger well dressed and with a trick up his sleeve, no matter the situation.
I hope this isn't the last we see of him.
August 20, 2025
I was so pleased to see that we would be going on another adventure with Carl Sanford! After the events of the previous book in the series, I doubted he would be slinking off with his tail between his legs, and it is such fun to see a Lovecraftian cult leader first off at the helm of his own story, while also being so out of his element.
We're far from Arkham this time, and the travel in this book did reminded me a little of the montage-maps in the 'Indiana Jones' movies! Because Carl is facing an apparently insurmountable enemy who can be anywhere, hidden within the minds of its followers and with a very real chance of taking over the world.
It was also a pleasure to see other familiar faces, as well as very well-drawn new ones, whose journey through the book was both well-realised and very enjoyable. Tim Pratt clearly revels in allowing his characters to grow, and to be part of that evolution is something I've found rare in cosmic fiction.
A fast-paced, smart read full of action, plotting and a monstrous face-off at the end. Fantastic stuff.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
We're far from Arkham this time, and the travel in this book did reminded me a little of the montage-maps in the 'Indiana Jones' movies! Because Carl is facing an apparently insurmountable enemy who can be anywhere, hidden within the minds of its followers and with a very real chance of taking over the world.
It was also a pleasure to see other familiar faces, as well as very well-drawn new ones, whose journey through the book was both well-realised and very enjoyable. Tim Pratt clearly revels in allowing his characters to grow, and to be part of that evolution is something I've found rare in cosmic fiction.
A fast-paced, smart read full of action, plotting and a monstrous face-off at the end. Fantastic stuff.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews