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A Kind Voice in Hell
What's a few years of bloody gladiator matches and witchcraft-for-hire when your best friend's life is on the line?
To save Max from the soaring costs of life-saving healthcare, Lark signs away everything he’s got—his body, his freedom, even his witchcraft—to a billionaire who plays at philanthropy for entertainment. Although Lark may have the heart of a saint, he doesn't have the patience of one. It isn't long before he begins to rock the boat and ends up threatening the very people he wants to save in his reckless heroics.
A KIND VOICE IN HELL is a story about an occult-obsessed billionaire looking for away to bring gladiators into the twenty-first century, a trans man with a hero complex who has never known illness a day in his life, and the disabled people caught in the middle. It contains queer love, found family, and a hero who needs to sit down and shut up before he tries to help anyone.
Follow Lark as he forges an unlikely alliance on the inside and weaves masterful spellwork in hopes of changing the world for the better.
To save Max from the soaring costs of life-saving healthcare, Lark signs away everything he’s got—his body, his freedom, even his witchcraft—to a billionaire who plays at philanthropy for entertainment. Although Lark may have the heart of a saint, he doesn't have the patience of one. It isn't long before he begins to rock the boat and ends up threatening the very people he wants to save in his reckless heroics.
A KIND VOICE IN HELL is a story about an occult-obsessed billionaire looking for away to bring gladiators into the twenty-first century, a trans man with a hero complex who has never known illness a day in his life, and the disabled people caught in the middle. It contains queer love, found family, and a hero who needs to sit down and shut up before he tries to help anyone.
Follow Lark as he forges an unlikely alliance on the inside and weaves masterful spellwork in hopes of changing the world for the better.
331 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2023
13 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 20, 2023
[a long, sustained scream]
FUCK THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM!!
Mullery paints a vivid and dark portrait of what it's like to fight for survival against the American Healthcare system, as well as simply trying to exist while trans and/or a witch.
WARNING: A Kind Voice in Hell will absolutely make you cry, but it is a MUST READ.
Sorry I can't say more, I'm trying to keep this review spoiler-free.
FUCK THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM!!
Mullery paints a vivid and dark portrait of what it's like to fight for survival against the American Healthcare system, as well as simply trying to exist while trans and/or a witch.
WARNING: A Kind Voice in Hell will absolutely make you cry, but it is a MUST READ.
Sorry I can't say more, I'm trying to keep this review spoiler-free.
April 26, 2023
If you want a book that has 1) a witchy, grumpy, trans main character, 2) an infuriating billionaire that really has nothing better to do with his time or money than revive gladiatorial combat for profit, 3) the justified, simmering rage that comes from attempts at navigating a broken healthcare system, and 4) a dash of romance, you should check out Ames Mullery’s new book, A Kind Voice in Hell.
The main character, Lark, is exhausted, tends to his witchy skills like a gardener, and does what needs to be done to help cover the astronomical costs of healthcare for someone he loves. Unfortunately for Lark, the insurance premiums cannot be paid through bi-weekly paycheck deductions.
I recommend you preorder a kindle version or grab the paperback once it’s officially out on May 25!
The main character, Lark, is exhausted, tends to his witchy skills like a gardener, and does what needs to be done to help cover the astronomical costs of healthcare for someone he loves. Unfortunately for Lark, the insurance premiums cannot be paid through bi-weekly paycheck deductions.
I recommend you preorder a kindle version or grab the paperback once it’s officially out on May 25!
May 4, 2023
A Kind Voice in Hell is equal parts character study and a thoughtful exploration of the merits of participating in a corrupt system versus burning it all down. It does both parts masterfully.
Lark is a kind but angry trans man who has recently retired from underground fighting, in an effort to prevent his rage from causing undue harm. When a billionaire extorts him into offering up his fighting skills and his skill at witchcraft in exchange for complete healthcare for a chronically ill friend, Lark agrees but tries fighting back every way he knows how. In doing so, he faces the limits of what one person can do on their own and meets others whose choice to fight back more subtly initially garners his disgust. But Lark’s journey forces him to confront the reality that not everyone has the luxury of rage and open rebellion against a corrupt system they nonetheless need to stay alive. He learns to ask whether he even should destroy something horrible without the capacity to build an alternative.
Informed by the author’s own disability, gender identity, and struggles with the American healthcare system, A Kind Voice in Hell is a deeply authentic narrative. Lark is a flawed but eminently lovable hothead, whose heart is in the right place (if not his head most of the time). The supporting cast includes wonderfully rounded characters, including Dawes, his jailer-slash-potential-ally; Max, his chronically ill best friend who thinks Lark might just be a little overdramatic; Bennett, the calculating billionaire’s assistant who really probably runs the company; and a host of others trapped in, or actively encouraging, the tangled mess that is holding healthcare hostage to force compliance with corporate interests. Mullery’s writing is direct, evocative, and captivating. I cannot recommend it enough.
This review is based on an advance copy provided by the author.
Lark is a kind but angry trans man who has recently retired from underground fighting, in an effort to prevent his rage from causing undue harm. When a billionaire extorts him into offering up his fighting skills and his skill at witchcraft in exchange for complete healthcare for a chronically ill friend, Lark agrees but tries fighting back every way he knows how. In doing so, he faces the limits of what one person can do on their own and meets others whose choice to fight back more subtly initially garners his disgust. But Lark’s journey forces him to confront the reality that not everyone has the luxury of rage and open rebellion against a corrupt system they nonetheless need to stay alive. He learns to ask whether he even should destroy something horrible without the capacity to build an alternative.
Informed by the author’s own disability, gender identity, and struggles with the American healthcare system, A Kind Voice in Hell is a deeply authentic narrative. Lark is a flawed but eminently lovable hothead, whose heart is in the right place (if not his head most of the time). The supporting cast includes wonderfully rounded characters, including Dawes, his jailer-slash-potential-ally; Max, his chronically ill best friend who thinks Lark might just be a little overdramatic; Bennett, the calculating billionaire’s assistant who really probably runs the company; and a host of others trapped in, or actively encouraging, the tangled mess that is holding healthcare hostage to force compliance with corporate interests. Mullery’s writing is direct, evocative, and captivating. I cannot recommend it enough.
This review is based on an advance copy provided by the author.
November 19, 2023
When I first started this book I couldn’t figure out how so many threads and layers of the story could possibly work. I am so glad to say that Mullery succeeded in painstakingly building and fleshing out their characters and plot lines to create a powerful story. There were times I had to put this down because the agonies and indignities suffered by the characters were all too realistic. I am so glad I kept going because the end was everything I wanted it to be. Hope and friendship are impossible to conquer.
June 25, 2023
I truly cannot say enough good about this book. Weeks later I still find myself thinking about it and it’s one of few books I wish I could read again for the first time. If you’re reading this review wondering if you should read the book; drop everything now and do it. You won’t regret it.
December 2, 2023
I like the eat the rich mentality but I 100% needed Astorre and Bennet to really fuck around and find out and I feel like they didn’t face many consequences for their actions.
The weird timeline of the novel going from current, to most of it being told seven years in the past, back to the current for some random silent revenge plan being acted out didn’t really work out that well for a strong ending. I liked the readability of the story, but there is so much about Lark and the other characters in the novel that just vanish along with the gap in time. The ending was the one time where I wanted Lark to really fight for it all and expose everything like he was acting like he was going to do throughout the novel, but it just didn’t go in that direction. It was a nice read but I would have wanted to see more consequences to actions.
The romance aspect also seems kinda half-assed just to throw romance in there as they only get close after Lark almost kills him and then gets chained to a wall, ignore each other for like three months, and then suddenly they’re kissing and falling in love?
The weird timeline of the novel going from current, to most of it being told seven years in the past, back to the current for some random silent revenge plan being acted out didn’t really work out that well for a strong ending. I liked the readability of the story, but there is so much about Lark and the other characters in the novel that just vanish along with the gap in time. The ending was the one time where I wanted Lark to really fight for it all and expose everything like he was acting like he was going to do throughout the novel, but it just didn’t go in that direction. It was a nice read but I would have wanted to see more consequences to actions.
The romance aspect also seems kinda half-assed just to throw romance in there as they only get close after Lark almost kills him and then gets chained to a wall, ignore each other for like three months, and then suddenly they’re kissing and falling in love?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
Excellent characterisation through dialogue (everyone has their own voice), but I generally felt like there was less of a plot and more just a series of interesting situations; the finale also made me feel like the real plot had happened mostly off the page which left me feeling a little bit dissatisfied.
The descriptions of physical pain and injury are visceral and realistic, which you can take as either a warning, a recommendation or both depending on where you're coming from.
There are a fair number of typos and formatting errors (or at least there were in the 2023 paperback version I read) which I was prepared to give a pass to for a first-time self-pub novelist but if that sort of thing irritates you, be aware.
Will definitely be reading more of this author, so do please take these 3 stars as the "I liked it" that Goodreads says it is.
The descriptions of physical pain and injury are visceral and realistic, which you can take as either a warning, a recommendation or both depending on where you're coming from.
There are a fair number of typos and formatting errors (or at least there were in the 2023 paperback version I read) which I was prepared to give a pass to for a first-time self-pub novelist but if that sort of thing irritates you, be aware.
Will definitely be reading more of this author, so do please take these 3 stars as the "I liked it" that Goodreads says it is.
May 9, 2023
An absolutely gripping novel from start to finish. Unequivocally a f**k the American Healthcare system piece, that seems to be only a stones throw from where we are now.
Ames masterfully weaves a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat, simultaneously loving the protagonist, ah our dear hothead trans witch Lark (please, my guy, i love ya. Read the contract!), while raging at the calculated, bone-chilling antagonist (literally gives me the heebies).
This book has my heart and soul in a chokehold and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If it’s not on your “to be read 2023” list, what are you even doing with your life?
Review based on advanced reader copy provided by the author- I’ve read it. A couple times.
Ames masterfully weaves a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat, simultaneously loving the protagonist, ah our dear hothead trans witch Lark (please, my guy, i love ya. Read the contract!), while raging at the calculated, bone-chilling antagonist (literally gives me the heebies).
This book has my heart and soul in a chokehold and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If it’s not on your “to be read 2023” list, what are you even doing with your life?
Review based on advanced reader copy provided by the author- I’ve read it. A couple times.
August 4, 2023
So very good! I do myself a disservice by not reading the description again before cracking books open and so this was very different than I thought it was going to be. I enjoyed the main character even though they were very dumb, but they did grow from that. I love the uniqueness to be found in every character and their relationships. The finale was good but not quite all it needed to be. I did tear up a fair amount so the writing was definitely accomplished enough to make me feel all the feels. Minus one star for the editing errors--this seems to be happening more frequently, both in print and online :(
August 25, 2023
literally the best book I’ve read in years
It took me months to read this because my adhd would cause me to forget it existed but everytime I went back I was again amazed at how beautiful of a story it is.
The Trans representation in this story made me insanely happy. Because they weren’t token characters. They weren’t some checkmark or medal to be obtained. They were woven so seamlessly in with the cis characters. There was no special delineation. It was just “we exist just like everyone else”. I loved it.
I want Ames to write more so I can read more.
It took me months to read this because my adhd would cause me to forget it existed but everytime I went back I was again amazed at how beautiful of a story it is.
The Trans representation in this story made me insanely happy. Because they weren’t token characters. They weren’t some checkmark or medal to be obtained. They were woven so seamlessly in with the cis characters. There was no special delineation. It was just “we exist just like everyone else”. I loved it.
I want Ames to write more so I can read more.
September 9, 2023
Closer to a 4, but gets bonus points for being compulsively readable. I prefer my endings a little more bitter than sweet but the concept and execution were both very strong here. Lark was a dynamic and interesting character to follow, even if some other characters felt a little flat. The worldbuilding and soft magic system really got me though - anarchy and witchcraft are a winning combo. Eat the rich.
December 24, 2024
I would rec this to anyone who liked Chain-Gang All-stars and wants more story in that vein, but with caveats to lower expectations. Nothing in this is as polished as chain-gang, there are way too many plot threads that don't get developed enough, and the message was fairly overstated and heavy-handed.
July 13, 2023
The breath taking telling of a trans man thrust into a gladiator style fight ring. Where your insurance and medical needs are taken care of but at the cost of a contract of servitude. With some magic thrown in for good measure
August 29, 2023
What a fantastic book! It has a little bit of something for everyone, witchcraft and magic, to athletic fighting, evil multimillionaire corporations, sabotage, and all types of gender, ableism, and sexual representation. A masterful story of testing what humans can endure for the ones they love.
September 29, 2023
This book will stick with me, I can already tell, and it will likely top my year-end best books list. I have so many feelings!
January 28, 2024
This book hit all the marks for me, action, engaging character dialogue and just a little magic. As someone who has struggled with the healthcare system, it was so cathartic to read.
April 5, 2024
Could not put this down it was such an addicting read. Corrupt society story that feels more real than it should. I’ll be thinking about this book for awhile
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews