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Hierath
In this dramatic fantasy of love and betrayal, the world stands on the edge of peace, the first in a thousand years. A fragile alliance has been formed between the New Kingdom and Telesia, and they have agreed in principle to set aside their centuries-old quarrel over land and culture. The deal has been forged by the efforts of Alex, the peace-loving newcomer to the throne. But things things are about to change. Alex meets and falls in love with Lydia, a fisher's daughter from the east, to the displeasure of both his family and his friends. Alex's Aunt Ammaline has arranged a union with Penram, a Telesian princess, and Lydia's arrival throws her plans into jeopardy. Then a horrific act of betrayal drives the kingdom once more to the brink of war.
248 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2006
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5 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Hall
28 books119 followersJoanne Hall is the same age as Star Wars, which explains a lot…. She lives in Bristol, England with her partner. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, playing console games, watching movies, pottering about on her allotment and playing with the world’s laziest dog.
A full-time author since 2003, Joanne’s “New Kingdom” fantasy trilogy was published by Epress Online, and was a finalist in both the PLUTO and EPPIE awards . Her short stories have appeared in many publications, both print and online, including Afterburn SF, Quantum Muse, and The Harrow.
She has had short stories published in several anthologies, including “Pirates of the Cumberland Basin” in Future Bristol, and “Corpse Flight” in Dark Spires. A short story collection, “The Feline Queen” was published in March 2011 by Wolfsinger Publications, and her fourth novel, “The Art of Forgetting”, was released in two volumes by Kristell Ink. Volume One, “Rider” was published in July 2013 to a warm critical reception, while Volume Two, “Nomad” was released in May 2014. “Rider” was longlisted for the 2014 Tiptree Award.
Joanne was formerly the Chair of BristolCon, Bristol’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, but has recently stepped down to pursue other projects. She has recently taken on the position of Acquisitions Editor for Kristell Ink. She has also edited novels, comics, and content for social media games.
She is the co-editor, with Roz Clarke, of “Colinthology”, a tribute anthology to the late Colin Harvey, which also includes her short story “Lukewarm in Lynhelm.” “Colinthology” was published as an ebook in October 2012 by Wizards Tower, and launched at BristolCon. Roz and Jo also edited a Bristol-themed steampunk anthology, “Airship Shape and Bristol Fashion”, published by Wizard’s Tower in February 2014, and “Fight Like A Girl”, for Kristell Ink, which has been shortlisted for the BFS Award for Best Anthology.
Joanne’s latest novel, “The Summer Goddess”, which tells the story of a woman’s battle with a demon-worshipping cult to save her lost nephew, was published by Kristell Ink and shortlisted for the BFS Award for Best Novel. She is currently working on a new flintlock fantasy series.
She sometimes talks about herself in the third person on the internet and is inclined to ramble on about courgettes and greyhounds unless forcibly prevented. She is always happy to hear from readers
A full-time author since 2003, Joanne’s “New Kingdom” fantasy trilogy was published by Epress Online, and was a finalist in both the PLUTO and EPPIE awards . Her short stories have appeared in many publications, both print and online, including Afterburn SF, Quantum Muse, and The Harrow.
She has had short stories published in several anthologies, including “Pirates of the Cumberland Basin” in Future Bristol, and “Corpse Flight” in Dark Spires. A short story collection, “The Feline Queen” was published in March 2011 by Wolfsinger Publications, and her fourth novel, “The Art of Forgetting”, was released in two volumes by Kristell Ink. Volume One, “Rider” was published in July 2013 to a warm critical reception, while Volume Two, “Nomad” was released in May 2014. “Rider” was longlisted for the 2014 Tiptree Award.
Joanne was formerly the Chair of BristolCon, Bristol’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, but has recently stepped down to pursue other projects. She has recently taken on the position of Acquisitions Editor for Kristell Ink. She has also edited novels, comics, and content for social media games.
She is the co-editor, with Roz Clarke, of “Colinthology”, a tribute anthology to the late Colin Harvey, which also includes her short story “Lukewarm in Lynhelm.” “Colinthology” was published as an ebook in October 2012 by Wizards Tower, and launched at BristolCon. Roz and Jo also edited a Bristol-themed steampunk anthology, “Airship Shape and Bristol Fashion”, published by Wizard’s Tower in February 2014, and “Fight Like A Girl”, for Kristell Ink, which has been shortlisted for the BFS Award for Best Anthology.
Joanne’s latest novel, “The Summer Goddess”, which tells the story of a woman’s battle with a demon-worshipping cult to save her lost nephew, was published by Kristell Ink and shortlisted for the BFS Award for Best Novel. She is currently working on a new flintlock fantasy series.
She sometimes talks about herself in the third person on the internet and is inclined to ramble on about courgettes and greyhounds unless forcibly prevented. She is always happy to hear from readers
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 12, 2013
I read this a little while ago now and have had time to think about the book. I enjoy fantasy books but this was not my usual kind. I usually end up reading things with dark elves and a couple of scimitars in them.
Hierath really caught me off guard. I could not stop reading it and then something pretty amazing happened - a bad thing happens to one of the characters and I was really upset. No, really upset; like it had happened to a family member. I remember putting the book down and swallowing down the lump in my throat. The book and characters had got to me like never before. The last time anything upset me like this was Mickey dying in Rocky 3, so I'm not usually the bothered or emotional type!
It is at that point that you realise how good a book this is. I would recommend it to anyone who simply appreciates good writing, regardless of genre. It is the first in a trilogy.
Highly recommended.
Hierath really caught me off guard. I could not stop reading it and then something pretty amazing happened - a bad thing happens to one of the characters and I was really upset. No, really upset; like it had happened to a family member. I remember putting the book down and swallowing down the lump in my throat. The book and characters had got to me like never before. The last time anything upset me like this was Mickey dying in Rocky 3, so I'm not usually the bothered or emotional type!
It is at that point that you realise how good a book this is. I would recommend it to anyone who simply appreciates good writing, regardless of genre. It is the first in a trilogy.
Highly recommended.
April 12, 2013
I really was gripped by this book from the very start. It's been on my shelf for 10 years, and I must admit I wasn't sure it was for me, but I honestly couldn't put it down.
There's hero's, villains, romances and witches. Everything a fantasy should have :-)
Cracking on with In Exile already!
There's hero's, villains, romances and witches. Everything a fantasy should have :-)
Cracking on with In Exile already!
July 28, 2012
As an introduction into the world that she has crated, Joanne Hall could not have done better. It depicts a world where there is a rainy North, a scorching hot South and mysterious East, each with their own group/nation of people, and each normally at war with each other. Hierath, the first in a consecutive trilogy, tells the story of this capitol city in the New Kingdom. Events conspire to wed the King to a Telisian Princess and thereby settle a peace between two of the nations. Will the King be able to keep this fragile peace, watch his own back from treachery, while also maintaining the interests of a peasant girl? There is swash-buckling action, love scenes to make you blush and cry, shocking and horrible violence to make you weep, all sewn up with a tantalising cliff hanger to make you run to the computer and by the next book in The New Kingdom Trilogy.
March 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews