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The Four Pillars #1
Hall of Smoke
Hessa is an Eangi: a warrior priestess of the Goddess of War, with the power to turn an enemy's bones to dust with a scream. Banished for disobeying her goddess's command to murder a traveller, she prays for forgiveness alone on a mountainside.
While she is gone, raiders raze her village and obliterate the Eangi priesthood. Grieving and alone, Hessa - the last Eangi - must find the traveller, atone for her weakness and secure her place with her loved ones in the High Halls. As clans from the north and legionaries from the south tear through her homeland, slaughtering everyone in their path, Hessa strives to win back her goddess' favour.
Beset by zealot soldiers, deceitful gods, and newly-awakened demons at every turn, Hessa burns her path towards redemption and revenge. But her journey reveals a harrowing truth: the gods are dying and the High Halls of the afterlife are fading. Soon Hessa's trust in her goddess weakens with every unheeded prayer.
Thrust into a battle between the gods of the Old World and the New, Hessa realizes there is far more on the line than securing a life beyond her own death. Bigger, older powers slumber beneath the surface of her world. And they're about to wake up.
While she is gone, raiders raze her village and obliterate the Eangi priesthood. Grieving and alone, Hessa - the last Eangi - must find the traveller, atone for her weakness and secure her place with her loved ones in the High Halls. As clans from the north and legionaries from the south tear through her homeland, slaughtering everyone in their path, Hessa strives to win back her goddess' favour.
Beset by zealot soldiers, deceitful gods, and newly-awakened demons at every turn, Hessa burns her path towards redemption and revenge. But her journey reveals a harrowing truth: the gods are dying and the High Halls of the afterlife are fading. Soon Hessa's trust in her goddess weakens with every unheeded prayer.
Thrust into a battle between the gods of the Old World and the New, Hessa realizes there is far more on the line than securing a life beyond her own death. Bigger, older powers slumber beneath the surface of her world. And they're about to wake up.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2021
416 people are currently reading
35900 people want to read
About the author
H.M. Long
11 books1,100 followersHannah (H. M.) Long is a Canadian fantasy author. She inhabits a ramshackle cabin in Ontario with her family, but she can often be spotted snooping about museums or wandering the Alps.
Hannah writes for Titan Books and is the author of the Four Pillars Quartet (Hall of Smoke), the Winter Sea Trilogy (Dark Water Daughter), the Entwined Duology (2026/27), Ashmarked (2027), and more.
For the latest updates, follow Hannah on TikTok (@hmlongbooks), Instagram (@hmlongbooks), and Twitter (@hannah_m_long).
Hannah writes for Titan Books and is the author of the Four Pillars Quartet (Hall of Smoke), the Winter Sea Trilogy (Dark Water Daughter), the Entwined Duology (2026/27), Ashmarked (2027), and more.
For the latest updates, follow Hannah on TikTok (@hmlongbooks), Instagram (@hmlongbooks), and Twitter (@hannah_m_long).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews
March 15, 2021
I was excited to read this one. It's a Vikings inspired fantasy set in a world where gods rule and directly influence their followers. The book was well written and relies more on religion and gods and less on the usual fantasy tropes which was nice. I also found the world very vivid and easy to picture.
Also, don't miss the glossary and the map at the end of the book! (The map was at the end too but it might be moved later)
This book tells the story of Hessa, an Eangi priestess, banished from her community for not following the orders of the high priestess and subsequently, her goddess Eang. However, soon her people are killed and she’s left alone in the world with one mission: kill the traveler and earn the forgiveness of the goddess. Heartbroken but determined, Hessa starts her journey around her known world, to uncover the secrets behind the massacre and finding the traveler to secure her place in the afterlife.
Also, don't miss the glossary and the map at the end of the book! (The map was at the end too but it might be moved later)
This book tells the story of Hessa, an Eangi priestess, banished from her community for not following the orders of the high priestess and subsequently, her goddess Eang. However, soon her people are killed and she’s left alone in the world with one mission: kill the traveler and earn the forgiveness of the goddess. Heartbroken but determined, Hessa starts her journey around her known world, to uncover the secrets behind the massacre and finding the traveler to secure her place in the afterlife.
Most of this book is a journey from one location to another, following it on the map would make it more interesting and engaging. The world-building was very well done, H. M. Long transported us to a harsh world full of lore and rich culture. Albeit inspired by Vikings and Norse mythology, the gods had more of a direct and important role in this book. I’m always intrigued by books where gods are actually real and their influence on the world is evident. The world Long created and the history she weaved and how they played out at the end of the book was my favorite part of this book. She also illustrated the relations between the different nations in a clear interesting way. If it weren’t for the glossary, I would’ve been confused since there are many names mentioned. Make sure to refer to it while reading the book.
Long’s writing was easy to get lost in. she described the world vividly and I was always imagining the lands Hessa was traveling through in my head. Her style was solid, especially for a debut book. The book is told from Hessa’s perspective. I also appreciate the lack of romance in this book and how Hessa didn’t need anyone to survive and was always depending on herself. Sure, many helped along the way but not in the way of a “love interest” does.
Hessa was fierce and strong, a warrior who is left with a heavy burden. But she’s also vulnerable when it’s needed. She was also loyal and always putting others first. While the book is mostly told in the present time, we get a flew flashbacks chapters that tell us about Hessa’s life before the events of Hall of Smoke. Although the pace of this book is slow, since most of it is on the road, the chapters helped since they weren’t long most of the time.
But these are all positives why didn’t I give it any more stars?
I couldn’t connect with the characters, I also found that only Hessa had depth to her character and while Nisien had more personality than most, I couldn’t care about him. I was like a stranger watching events unfold from far away instead of living them with the characters. I also didn’t feel that she loved her husband. We were constantly told about how much he meant for her and yet it was more telling than showing, this is usually a set up for future “true love” later on. But since this book won’t have a direct sequel, I don’t think this is the case here. It’s also not a book that I’d remember long after reading it.
All in, this is a good debut but sadly nothing special among this genre. It can be read as a standalone and the author said there will a sequel set in the same world but is also a standalone. The world-building was great and I loved the history of the world. Do I recommend it? Sure if you like Vikings inspired stories. You might have better luck than me connecting with the characters. I will also keep an eye on H. M. Long future books.
arc provided via Netgalley
January 1, 2021
This is what storytelling is made of.
I can’t explain to you guys how much I loved this book. The author takes her time telling this story, and let me tell you...With the ending, it’s totally worth it. I could not predict where this story was going to go, and I can guarantee you won’t be able to either. The strength of our main heroine Hessa was so unbelievably inspiring. She is so alone in the world, and yet always comes out on top in the numerous problems she faces.
The writing was visceral, fluid, and without reserve. Long deals punch after punch, and you can’t help but keep reading! The mythology of this world will completely suck you in. I adore anything Viking-esque (thank you for the introduction, Adrienne Young), and I just fell head over heels in love with this book. And if you're a gamer (like me), and have been playing the new Assassin's Creed Valhalla game - same vibes, my dudes. Same vibes.
Cinematic. Gory. Heroic. Epic.
I wouldn’t change a thing about this story. Except add more romance. But that’s just me LOL.
Big thank you to Titan Books + Netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book!
I can’t explain to you guys how much I loved this book. The author takes her time telling this story, and let me tell you...With the ending, it’s totally worth it. I could not predict where this story was going to go, and I can guarantee you won’t be able to either. The strength of our main heroine Hessa was so unbelievably inspiring. She is so alone in the world, and yet always comes out on top in the numerous problems she faces.
Svala tugged me closer. “This world is dark and unkind - no, look at me, child.”
When I tried to break her gaze, she slapped my cheek lightly. “You may be Eangi, so may Yske, but that will not spare you. Your days will be short, full of violence, and difficult choices. I am going to protect you. You will be far from your family, but the Eangi will become your family. You will learn to fight and you will never, ever, be alone.
“You will learn to control the fire in your blood. And when the Algatt come down from their mountains to raid, you, child, will protect your people. You will make our enemies fear the name of Eang.”
The writing was visceral, fluid, and without reserve. Long deals punch after punch, and you can’t help but keep reading! The mythology of this world will completely suck you in. I adore anything Viking-esque (thank you for the introduction, Adrienne Young), and I just fell head over heels in love with this book. And if you're a gamer (like me), and have been playing the new Assassin's Creed Valhalla game - same vibes, my dudes. Same vibes.
Cinematic. Gory. Heroic. Epic.
I wouldn’t change a thing about this story. Except add more romance. But that’s just me LOL.
Big thank you to Titan Books + Netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book!
*Note: Any quotes referenced in this review, may or may not be subject to change in the finished copy of the book.
January 10, 2025
Oooh I loved this. What a breath of fresh air!
October 19, 2023
If you want more of:
-The Last Kingdom (but the fem side)
-Sky in the Deep (but adult)
-American Gods (but in an original fantasy world)
-Vikings and Netflix's BARBARIANS (but the gods & magic are real)
-Skyrim & God of War (but a... book)
...You will love HALL OF SMOKE.
Please see the FAQ section of my website for CONTENT WARNINGS on all my books, as well as other common questions.
FYIs:
1. GLOSSARY: This is an adult epic fantasy, so there are naturally a lot of characters at play. There's a glossary included at the back of the book for easy reference.
2. MAP: This is a journey book! Enjoy the beautiful hand-drawn map as you follow Hessa's story.
-The Last Kingdom (but the fem side)
-Sky in the Deep (but adult)
-American Gods (but in an original fantasy world)
-Vikings and Netflix's BARBARIANS (but the gods & magic are real)
-Skyrim & God of War (but a... book)
...You will love HALL OF SMOKE.
Please see the FAQ section of my website for CONTENT WARNINGS on all my books, as well as other common questions.
FYIs:
1. GLOSSARY: This is an adult epic fantasy, so there are naturally a lot of characters at play. There's a glossary included at the back of the book for easy reference.
2. MAP: This is a journey book! Enjoy the beautiful hand-drawn map as you follow Hessa's story.
September 20, 2020
Kickass heroine struggling to do her best and questioning everything she's ever known along the way? CHECK
Unique Viking-inspired fantasy world? CHECK
Tons of action and extraordinarily well-written fight scenes? CHECK
If any/all of the above appeal to you, you won't want to miss this one.
Unique Viking-inspired fantasy world? CHECK
Tons of action and extraordinarily well-written fight scenes? CHECK
If any/all of the above appeal to you, you won't want to miss this one.
July 28, 2022
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you Titan Books). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Viking inspired
✅ Strong and independent main character
✅ Action and fighting
🆗 Not much interaction between the characters
❌ Too much time spent on travel
❌ Plot drags on
It might be an "it's not you, it's me" case because I saw a lot of 5 stars reviews.
I was excited to read this Viking inspired fantasy full of ruthless gods at war with each other and magic-wielding priestesses. Hessa is an Eangi, a fighter priestess who worships Eang, Goddess of War. The story is about her hard quest for redemption after she ignored the Goddess’s order to kill a man and after all her people were slaughtered by an enemy raid. Now Hessa is trying to find the man she was supposed to kill to fulfill her Goddess’s will and regain her favor.
She is guided by her regrets, and her desire for redemption and revenge, and her path is filled with enemies and demons. Hessa is a flawed character, trying to right her wrongs and on her journey, she starts to question her beliefs as she finds out that there is way more to the worlds and the gods than what she was taught. She is a good character, she is strong and independent, and I liked the fact that there was no forced romance in this story, even though she meets many men along the way.
The fighting scenes are vivid and well written, the world-building is simple, and easy to picture (there is a map at the end to help), but it is also very interesting. The information about the Gods and Goddesses is presented as the story goes, it is not an info-dump at the beginning of the book, and it made it easier for me to get invested in this book from the first chapter.
One complaint that I have is the lack of interaction between Hessa and the other characters. Even though she was surrounded by people for some parts, she didn’t develop real relationships and her conversations didn’t help her create connections with the people around her. I was really immersed in Hessa’s story right from the start, but then, after reading this story for over 200 pages, I was wishing for more meaningful interactions and discussions. This story is solely about Hessa, her inner thoughts, and her quest to get rid of her remorse and to find inner peace. She talks with some deities and she keeps on praying to her Goddess for guidance, but that’s about it. Her first interaction with Ogam is great and I thought that he was the kind of character that I would really enjoy, he seems funny and has good repartee, but then he left and Hessa continued her lonely quest, only speaking with him occasionally.
She also spends about 80% of the book traveling because she needs to find the man she is supposed to kill. There is a lot of description about the geography and topography of the lands she crosses, I would even say that some parts are over-detailed, and it clashed with the pace of intense action scenes, but not necessarily in a good way. It created real slow moments in the story where I had to push myself to keep on reading until there was another action scene or faster-paced chapter to hook me back into the story.
Overall it is a good book, and I liked it, but the flow of the story and the secondary characters (and their role in the story) could be improved.
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✅ Viking inspired
✅ Strong and independent main character
✅ Action and fighting
🆗 Not much interaction between the characters
❌ Too much time spent on travel
❌ Plot drags on
It might be an "it's not you, it's me" case because I saw a lot of 5 stars reviews.
I was excited to read this Viking inspired fantasy full of ruthless gods at war with each other and magic-wielding priestesses. Hessa is an Eangi, a fighter priestess who worships Eang, Goddess of War. The story is about her hard quest for redemption after she ignored the Goddess’s order to kill a man and after all her people were slaughtered by an enemy raid. Now Hessa is trying to find the man she was supposed to kill to fulfill her Goddess’s will and regain her favor.
She is guided by her regrets, and her desire for redemption and revenge, and her path is filled with enemies and demons. Hessa is a flawed character, trying to right her wrongs and on her journey, she starts to question her beliefs as she finds out that there is way more to the worlds and the gods than what she was taught. She is a good character, she is strong and independent, and I liked the fact that there was no forced romance in this story, even though she meets many men along the way.
The fighting scenes are vivid and well written, the world-building is simple, and easy to picture (there is a map at the end to help), but it is also very interesting. The information about the Gods and Goddesses is presented as the story goes, it is not an info-dump at the beginning of the book, and it made it easier for me to get invested in this book from the first chapter.
One complaint that I have is the lack of interaction between Hessa and the other characters. Even though she was surrounded by people for some parts, she didn’t develop real relationships and her conversations didn’t help her create connections with the people around her. I was really immersed in Hessa’s story right from the start, but then, after reading this story for over 200 pages, I was wishing for more meaningful interactions and discussions. This story is solely about Hessa, her inner thoughts, and her quest to get rid of her remorse and to find inner peace. She talks with some deities and she keeps on praying to her Goddess for guidance, but that’s about it. Her first interaction with Ogam is great and I thought that he was the kind of character that I would really enjoy, he seems funny and has good repartee, but then he left and Hessa continued her lonely quest, only speaking with him occasionally.
She also spends about 80% of the book traveling because she needs to find the man she is supposed to kill. There is a lot of description about the geography and topography of the lands she crosses, I would even say that some parts are over-detailed, and it clashed with the pace of intense action scenes, but not necessarily in a good way. It created real slow moments in the story where I had to push myself to keep on reading until there was another action scene or faster-paced chapter to hook me back into the story.
Overall it is a good book, and I liked it, but the flow of the story and the secondary characters (and their role in the story) could be improved.
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June 9, 2020
As one of the privileged few to be permitted to read this book in advance, I must say I feel special! I am a fan of big fantasy: grand, epic stuff. The problem is usually that the narrative is dull while the world is interesting— that’s not the case with hall of smoke. I love how this book balances a face-paced and compelling narrative with deep and worthwhile world-building. I definitely recommend it!
October 1, 2020
Hall of Smoke is a long and wild ride through a Viking fantasy world, filled with harsh gods, magic-wielding priestesses, and a blood-soaked quest for redemption. Hessa, a warrior-priestess of Eang, disobeyed her goddess’s orders to kill a traveler. Now her people have been slaughtered and the war between nations mirrors a war among the gods, and somehow the traveler is at the heart of it. As she fights to win back Eang’s favor, Hessa uncovers impossible truths about the war and their gods that make her doubt if she truly wants her goddess’s forgiveness.
As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to reread the entirety of the novel to revel in it. I loved living alongside Hessa as her world is shattered and she begins to doubt everything she knew. Though it will be a duology, this book also works well as a stand alone. If you liked The Priory of the Orange Tree or The Poppy War, you need to lose yourself in this heart pounding adventure.
As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to reread the entirety of the novel to revel in it. I loved living alongside Hessa as her world is shattered and she begins to doubt everything she knew. Though it will be a duology, this book also works well as a stand alone. If you liked The Priory of the Orange Tree or The Poppy War, you need to lose yourself in this heart pounding adventure.
June 9, 2020
Epic. Refreshingly different. Nice to see something new— the Viking-inspired thing done in a more interesting way than usual. I got to read this in advance. I’d recommend it, both to the crowd that likes quick and lucid writing and those that love big, epic story background. The mythology appealed to me.
I’m hoping there is another story in this world...? Also who’s making a movie?
I’m hoping there is another story in this world...? Also who’s making a movie?
June 9, 2020
I was privileged to be able to read an early copy of the book and I was hooked all the way through! Every chapter had me on the edge of my seat. Especially towards the end, Hessa journeys is one epic battle! You must read this!!
March 28, 2023
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
I went into this blind, only known there were some Norse-inspired elements. Turns out, that's all I needed to know!
We are thrust into a world with a very Norse feel, where Gods lay in hidden sight and play a huge role with the affairs of mere mortals, with their own followings and beliefs and philosophies. One of the many satisfying elements of this story was the gradual, accomplished exploration of world building, building on the immersive experience and also subverting the readers expectations and what is also a read fraught with twists and turns.
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
I went into this blind, only known there were some Norse-inspired elements. Turns out, that's all I needed to know!
We are thrust into a world with a very Norse feel, where Gods lay in hidden sight and play a huge role with the affairs of mere mortals, with their own followings and beliefs and philosophies. One of the many satisfying elements of this story was the gradual, accomplished exploration of world building, building on the immersive experience and also subverting the readers expectations and what is also a read fraught with twists and turns.
June 8, 2020
Hall of Smoke is a brilliantly unique, immersive read!
Hessa lives in a Viking-like world, where the gods and goddesses she serves are real. When Hessa angers her goddess, she desires to redeem herself. And she will never be the same after she begins her journey to do so.
The prose is magical. The settings breathtakingly realistic. The characters flawed and captivating.
You won't want to miss this book!
Hessa lives in a Viking-like world, where the gods and goddesses she serves are real. When Hessa angers her goddess, she desires to redeem herself. And she will never be the same after she begins her journey to do so.
The prose is magical. The settings breathtakingly realistic. The characters flawed and captivating.
You won't want to miss this book!
October 30, 2020
I was lucky to get an advance review copy of this book, and as soon as you can get your own hands on it, you will want to DO THAT.
HALL OF SMOKE is the story of Viking-inspired warrior priestess on a quest to win her goddess's forgiveness after defying a divine order...or at least that's where we start. By the end of this book, I'd fallen in love with a backstabbing, selfish, all-too-human pantheon of gods and goddesses, all conniving for their own benefit, with humans trapped as the pawns in their game.
Hessa is a brilliantly written heroine, and I could easily have spent another 400 pages with her. The book's world-building is intricate and refreshingly original, and it all ramps up to a finale that is the dictionary definition of epic.
I'm also extremely partial to the relationship between Hessa and Nisien! It was a lovely depiction of the friendship and comradeship that I always *want* in fantasy books, but which usually gets shunted into romance. 5/5 stars for the power of friendship.
If you want a fantasy novel that has:
* A woman who can turn bones to dust (!)
* A mission to attack and dethrone god
* A giant bear
* Murder otters
* 110% more axe fights
* A hair clip that made me cry
Then you're gonna want to get your hands on HALL OF SMOKE in January.
HALL OF SMOKE is the story of Viking-inspired warrior priestess on a quest to win her goddess's forgiveness after defying a divine order...or at least that's where we start. By the end of this book, I'd fallen in love with a backstabbing, selfish, all-too-human pantheon of gods and goddesses, all conniving for their own benefit, with humans trapped as the pawns in their game.
Hessa is a brilliantly written heroine, and I could easily have spent another 400 pages with her. The book's world-building is intricate and refreshingly original, and it all ramps up to a finale that is the dictionary definition of epic.
I'm also extremely partial to the relationship between Hessa and Nisien! It was a lovely depiction of the friendship and comradeship that I always *want* in fantasy books, but which usually gets shunted into romance. 5/5 stars for the power of friendship.
If you want a fantasy novel that has:
* A woman who can turn bones to dust (!)
* A mission to attack and dethrone god
* A giant bear
* Murder otters
* 110% more axe fights
* A hair clip that made me cry
Then you're gonna want to get your hands on HALL OF SMOKE in January.
June 12, 2020
Hall of Smoke is ruthlessly clever and mythologically epic in the best possible way. Exciting and insightful—and just plain fun—Hessa is the brilliantly crafted kick-butt heroine that we all need in our lives. I don’t read a ton of fantasy, but I hope to have the opportunity to travel with Hessa on another grand adventure some day soon.
February 23, 2023
Overall Rating : B
"Do not let the gods see that you stole their magic."
This was so much more emotional that I expected it to be. A disgraced priestess sent on a task she failed to fulfill the first time in her goddess' honor, finds her whole world destroyed and must overcome loss and uncover the truth about the gods - Old and New and Other.
This was just as much about Hessa's spiritual and emotional journey as it was about her physical journey. More about how it feels to realize that the god you worshiped with your entire being may not be what they say they are. That what you once believed to be true turns out to be muddled and grey. Proving that not even the immortal gods aren't as all powerful as they make it seem.
The other gods and demons she meets, the friends she makes and protects, all converge to a grand, final outcome that shakes the entire core of the world and leaves an imprint on Hessa's life.
I do wish the plot was explained a little bit more(I got pretty confused during some of the parts), or at least expanded, but it didn't affect my overall enjoyment. And that might have been just me not digging in as I should have.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
"Do not let the gods see that you stole their magic."
This was so much more emotional that I expected it to be. A disgraced priestess sent on a task she failed to fulfill the first time in her goddess' honor, finds her whole world destroyed and must overcome loss and uncover the truth about the gods - Old and New and Other.
This was just as much about Hessa's spiritual and emotional journey as it was about her physical journey. More about how it feels to realize that the god you worshiped with your entire being may not be what they say they are. That what you once believed to be true turns out to be muddled and grey. Proving that not even the immortal gods aren't as all powerful as they make it seem.
The other gods and demons she meets, the friends she makes and protects, all converge to a grand, final outcome that shakes the entire core of the world and leaves an imprint on Hessa's life.
I do wish the plot was explained a little bit more(I got pretty confused during some of the parts), or at least expanded, but it didn't affect my overall enjoyment. And that might have been just me not digging in as I should have.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
June 10, 2020
I read an early copy of this book and I am pleased to recommend it to you if you're interested in picking it up. It's greatest qualities are:
-Interesting / complex characters that possess depth
-A rich fantasy element
-A main character driven by more compelling crises than a hot guy
-An egalitarian cultural premise
-The author's immersive writing voice
-Worldbuilding that is both beautiful and unobtrusive
But the best bits are spoilers! May you find the read as refreshing as I did.
-Interesting / complex characters that possess depth
-A rich fantasy element
-A main character driven by more compelling crises than a hot guy
-An egalitarian cultural premise
-The author's immersive writing voice
-Worldbuilding that is both beautiful and unobtrusive
But the best bits are spoilers! May you find the read as refreshing as I did.
June 9, 2020
Hall of Smoke was such a captivating story!!
I loved the Viking-inspired world, and it had everything I look for in a fantasy novel - a complicated heroine, rich worldbuilding, and a twisty plot. I was hooked from the opening pages. The language is so evocative; you feel like you're journeying with Hessa.
Cannot wait for the sequel :) !!
I loved the Viking-inspired world, and it had everything I look for in a fantasy novel - a complicated heroine, rich worldbuilding, and a twisty plot. I was hooked from the opening pages. The language is so evocative; you feel like you're journeying with Hessa.
Cannot wait for the sequel :) !!
February 4, 2021
Books about gods are my favourite. As such I jumped at the chance to read this – not only does it feature gods, it features gods that walk among their people – and mythology that depends on the country it is told in. I love these kinds of ruminations on the nature of belief and culture.
The book starts with a bang when recently exiled Hessa is the only warrior priestess of Eang – the Goddess of War – to survive a sudden invasion. She was cast out of her order for failing to kill a visitor she had been foretold to kill. Killing him becomes her only focus – in the hopes of earning her Goddess’ forgiveness (a Goddess who is not known for being forgiving). The plot itself did not always grip me as we follow Hessa from one place to another (I am not that into travel fantasy) and I found it weirdly low-stakes given that the literal survival of a country is threatened but what I absolutely adored was the underlying mythology and Hessa herself. The story is told from a very close first person narration, a choice that is unusual for the genre but that worked extremely well as Hessa is our entry point into the world and we learn as she learns. As such I found the worldbuilding well integrated and easy enough to follow. It also helps to show just what a heavy burden is expected of Hessa to carry.
Hessa is a wonderful main character and one of the reasons I was so happy with this book. She is strong and stubborn but ultimately able to adapt to her changed circumstances – and she is warm and caring and absolutely kickass. I love kickass women in my fantasy reading and she definitely delivered.
Content warnings: genocide, gore, loss of loved ones
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts with a bang when recently exiled Hessa is the only warrior priestess of Eang – the Goddess of War – to survive a sudden invasion. She was cast out of her order for failing to kill a visitor she had been foretold to kill. Killing him becomes her only focus – in the hopes of earning her Goddess’ forgiveness (a Goddess who is not known for being forgiving). The plot itself did not always grip me as we follow Hessa from one place to another (I am not that into travel fantasy) and I found it weirdly low-stakes given that the literal survival of a country is threatened but what I absolutely adored was the underlying mythology and Hessa herself. The story is told from a very close first person narration, a choice that is unusual for the genre but that worked extremely well as Hessa is our entry point into the world and we learn as she learns. As such I found the worldbuilding well integrated and easy enough to follow. It also helps to show just what a heavy burden is expected of Hessa to carry.
Hessa is a wonderful main character and one of the reasons I was so happy with this book. She is strong and stubborn but ultimately able to adapt to her changed circumstances – and she is warm and caring and absolutely kickass. I love kickass women in my fantasy reading and she definitely delivered.
Content warnings: genocide, gore, loss of loved ones
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2020
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book, and I cannot recommend it enough! I connected with the main character, Hessa, from the first sentence of the story. The story world was rich and real, and I have rarely read a fantasy novel that transported me like HALL OF SMOKE did. If you are a fan of myths and legends where gods and goddesses roam the earth and meddle with the poor mortals that serve them, you are in for an absolute treat with this book. If that's not enough of a glowing review, let me just say - reading this book made me lose track of time WHILE ON THE TREADMILL. I worked out for literally 30 minutes longer than I had intended to because I was reading while on the treadmill and just had to finish the story right then and there. 10/10, would recommend!
January 17, 2021
See this review and more at my blog, The Scribe Owl!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5/5 stars
I wanted to like this so much more than I did! Unfortunately, it missed the mark in a couple of places. I love all the ideas behind it, but they just weren't executed right for me.
In Hall of Smoke, we follow Hessa, a warrior-priestess of the goddess of war called an Eangi. Eangi have the power to kill an enemy with nothing more than a scream. Banished for disobeying her goddess's command to murder a traveler, she prays for forgiveness alone on a mountainside. She comes home to find her village razed and the inhabitants dead. As old powers emerge and her beliefs are challenged, Hessa tries to find a way to right her wrongs and fall back into her goddess's favor. But is that what she really wants?
I think the one failing that killed the book for me was the pacing. I don't mind slow pacing normally, but I swear absolutely nothing happened for about 100 pages after Hessa's village was raided. It regrettably led to places where I was disinterested or even bored while reading.
I swear, the pacing messed up every aspect of this novel for me. I think I would have liked the characters, but after the pacing put me off I had a hard time appreciating what else was happening. Hessa had a fantastic character arc, but she was one of the only characters we actually followed. All the side characters were very side characters. It was a book about Hessa and no one else, which I understand, but I would have liked more main-ish characters.
The character that comes closest to being a main side character was Nisien, who I really liked because he was also a very complex character. He used to be a soldier in war, but he was released from duty and got to go home. Ever since he regarded his time in the army with a mix of the shock that comes with battle and a strange sense of nostalgia. Seeing him manage that was very interesting, and a definite highlight of the novel.
The relationships were more told than showed, especially with Hessa and her husband, Eidr. She always told us that she loved him, but we never really got to see any depth to it. I think that's one of the problems with killing off characters so early in the book: the audience doesn't have time to get attached.
Again, I'm so sad that I didn't like this book more than I ended up rating it. I was very excited, and it pains me to give it this rating. This is only the author's debut novel, so I still think that she could churn out something amazing. I wouldn't exactly recommend this book, but I'd keep an eye on the author to see what she makes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5/5 stars
I wanted to like this so much more than I did! Unfortunately, it missed the mark in a couple of places. I love all the ideas behind it, but they just weren't executed right for me.
In Hall of Smoke, we follow Hessa, a warrior-priestess of the goddess of war called an Eangi. Eangi have the power to kill an enemy with nothing more than a scream. Banished for disobeying her goddess's command to murder a traveler, she prays for forgiveness alone on a mountainside. She comes home to find her village razed and the inhabitants dead. As old powers emerge and her beliefs are challenged, Hessa tries to find a way to right her wrongs and fall back into her goddess's favor. But is that what she really wants?
I think the one failing that killed the book for me was the pacing. I don't mind slow pacing normally, but I swear absolutely nothing happened for about 100 pages after Hessa's village was raided. It regrettably led to places where I was disinterested or even bored while reading.
I swear, the pacing messed up every aspect of this novel for me. I think I would have liked the characters, but after the pacing put me off I had a hard time appreciating what else was happening. Hessa had a fantastic character arc, but she was one of the only characters we actually followed. All the side characters were very side characters. It was a book about Hessa and no one else, which I understand, but I would have liked more main-ish characters.
The character that comes closest to being a main side character was Nisien, who I really liked because he was also a very complex character. He used to be a soldier in war, but he was released from duty and got to go home. Ever since he regarded his time in the army with a mix of the shock that comes with battle and a strange sense of nostalgia. Seeing him manage that was very interesting, and a definite highlight of the novel.
The relationships were more told than showed, especially with Hessa and her husband, Eidr. She always told us that she loved him, but we never really got to see any depth to it. I think that's one of the problems with killing off characters so early in the book: the audience doesn't have time to get attached.
Again, I'm so sad that I didn't like this book more than I ended up rating it. I was very excited, and it pains me to give it this rating. This is only the author's debut novel, so I still think that she could churn out something amazing. I wouldn't exactly recommend this book, but I'd keep an eye on the author to see what she makes next.
January 8, 2021
* A big thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had high expectations for this book - I mean, warrior-priestesses?!- and boy did the author deliver!
Rife with lore, betrayal and plot twists, we follow warrior-priestess Hessa as she struggles with her faith in her goddess Eang while also trying to basically save the world and her people.
I loved the writing style, it was vivid and beautifully descriptive. I also appreciated the way the action scenes were written, as I could clearly picture the battle scenes in my mind which is a good thing because there's loads of them! I also really really loved how we got to see so much of the different gods, they truly were part of the main story and I loved all the lore and magic surrounding them, as well as not knowing whether you could trust anything coming out of their mouths (looking at you, Ogam...).
This story captured me right from the beginning and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time, up until the epic fight scene near the end. I loved how we slowly got to learn more about the gods and the world along with Hessa, and how she so clearly and honestly struggled with what to believe in.
If this book wasn't already on your TBR I sincerely hope it now will be, it's one of my new favorites for sure!
I had high expectations for this book - I mean, warrior-priestesses?!- and boy did the author deliver!
Rife with lore, betrayal and plot twists, we follow warrior-priestess Hessa as she struggles with her faith in her goddess Eang while also trying to basically save the world and her people.
I loved the writing style, it was vivid and beautifully descriptive. I also appreciated the way the action scenes were written, as I could clearly picture the battle scenes in my mind which is a good thing because there's loads of them! I also really really loved how we got to see so much of the different gods, they truly were part of the main story and I loved all the lore and magic surrounding them, as well as not knowing whether you could trust anything coming out of their mouths (looking at you, Ogam...).
This story captured me right from the beginning and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time, up until the epic fight scene near the end. I loved how we slowly got to learn more about the gods and the world along with Hessa, and how she so clearly and honestly struggled with what to believe in.
If this book wasn't already on your TBR I sincerely hope it now will be, it's one of my new favorites for sure!
Read
January 1, 2024I had the immense privilege of reading an ARC of Hall of Smoke, and oh man, it did not disappoint!
I loved every minute I spent following Hessa’s journey. I found myself particularly drawn to the blur between mortal and divine, and how the supernatural and natural elements interact is fascinating. The slow burn through the first half is utterly engrossing, rooting you into the richly complex world. But clear your schedule, because when things take off they TAKE OFF, and you’ll be gripped to the page till the very end!
I'm going to have to listicle most of this because I can’t contain myself with complete sentences:
⚔️ A wild journey across diverse lands
⚔️ Tough as hell heroine
⚔️ Scary, mysterious supernatural entities & powerful gods
⚔️ Atmospheric AF
⚔️ Kick-ass warrior priestesses
⚔️ Existential crises abound
🧔🏽 Plenty enough beards to keep a weirdo like me happy
⚔️ *chef’s kiss* those descriptions, hot damn
⚔️ EPIC stakes
If you love Skyrim, The Last Kingdom, God of War, or just want more beautifully crafted, refreshing takes on Viking-inspired fantasy, you’ll love this book!
I loved every minute I spent following Hessa’s journey. I found myself particularly drawn to the blur between mortal and divine, and how the supernatural and natural elements interact is fascinating. The slow burn through the first half is utterly engrossing, rooting you into the richly complex world. But clear your schedule, because when things take off they TAKE OFF, and you’ll be gripped to the page till the very end!
I'm going to have to listicle most of this because I can’t contain myself with complete sentences:
⚔️ A wild journey across diverse lands
⚔️ Tough as hell heroine
⚔️ Scary, mysterious supernatural entities & powerful gods
⚔️ Atmospheric AF
⚔️ Kick-ass warrior priestesses
⚔️ Existential crises abound
🧔🏽 Plenty enough beards to keep a weirdo like me happy
⚔️ *chef’s kiss* those descriptions, hot damn
⚔️ EPIC stakes
If you love Skyrim, The Last Kingdom, God of War, or just want more beautifully crafted, refreshing takes on Viking-inspired fantasy, you’ll love this book!
January 17, 2021
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Tessa Qi
First off, can we take a minute to appreciate how unbelievably gorgeous the book cover is?! Secondly, are you looking for a Vikings inspired epic fantasy world with gods and goddesses, magic and quests, journey and redemption? Well, look no further dear readers because Hall of Smoke is here for you and it is the perfect combination of all of these elements and so much more. This fascinating debut builds up a new world ruled by gods and goddesses, a breath of fresh air as it contains less of the general fantasy tropes.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
First off, can we take a minute to appreciate how unbelievably gorgeous the book cover is?! Secondly, are you looking for a Vikings inspired epic fantasy world with gods and goddesses, magic and quests, journey and redemption? Well, look no further dear readers because Hall of Smoke is here for you and it is the perfect combination of all of these elements and so much more. This fascinating debut builds up a new world ruled by gods and goddesses, a breath of fresh air as it contains less of the general fantasy tropes.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
June 9, 2020
Recommended!!
October 14, 2020
This was so good! I love stories about Vikings and have been eagerly waiting to get my hands on a copy of this for a while. As with a lot of high fantasy reads, it took a little bit to get the names of people, places, and gods sorted in my mind, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed the world the author presented. She kept me guessing and intrigued as the story progressed. I'm looking forward to what else this author publishes.
December 10, 2020
Hall of Smoke is the debut novel of H.M. Long, and what a great debut it is. It’s stand-alone fantasy that starts deceptively small and grows into epic proportions. I received an early review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is set in a pre-industrial, almost tribal world that doesn’t instantly or obviously refer to ours, though the largest warrior culture reminded me of Rome and the smaller ones of both North American native cultures and Asian cultures. It’s a good mixture where nothing is so directly borrowed that it would jar and everything blends together to form something unique and new. The mythologies and habits are rich and they are brought up organically as the story flows. Countries and cultures have formed around different gods and though languages and habits remain fairly similar, the gods’ dislike of one another has transferred to humans too. Wars and raids are regular.
The main character is Hessa, a warrior priestess of Eang, the goddess of war. The country and people are called Eang too and the priests Eangi, which was confusing at times. She’s the only point of view character and the narrative is in deep first person, which works very well. She’s young (nineteen, maybe), but thanks to the constant wars, an experienced warrior. The priests and priestesses of Eang aren’t chosen; they are born with a special gift from the goddess, a fire that both makes them superior soldiers and heals them too. Other gods haven’t gifted their followers with anything similar.
The story begins at a low point in Hessa’s life. She has failed to perform a task from her goddess to kill a visitor to her town, and as a consequence has been stripped from her position as a priestess. While she’s in a remote shrine to pray for forgiveness from Eang who refuses to answer to her, her entire town is butchered by followers of a different god—an unprecedented occurrence. She’s the only priestess of Eang left in the whole country and she’s in disfavour. But her goddess finally appears and promises her that all will be forgiven if she finishes the task given to her. From that point on, throughout the book, she’s carried by one goal: finding the man she was meant to kill so that she can have a place in the hall of death with her loved-ones.
But things aren’t easy or straightforward when one is alone and facing several enemies. While she tries to locate her prey, Hessa learns that the entire world is in upheaval, and not just among humans, among the gods too. As her goddess increasingly fails to come to her aid, she starts to question her devotion and the task given to her. Little by little, as her faith unravels, the stakes become higher, until Hessa finds herself as a pivotal player in gods’ war against each other.
This was a very satisfying story. The plot flows organically from one event to another, with Hessa learning and growing along it. The pacing isn’t fast, but the chapters are fairly short and there is constantly something going on that makes you want to keep reading. Because of the first person POV, the side characters remain slightly vague, and none of them become more important to Hessa than her task, but I liked most of them. And I especially liked Hessa. She’s resilient and determined, and capable of adjusting her worldview when the old one becomes untenable. And in a true manner of epic fantasy, the person who has lost all becomes the most important person in the world. Since this is a stand-alone, the ending is satisfying and doesn’t leave you with a need to read more.
The book is well-written and the language is beautiful. However, there was a glaring, recurring grammar mistake that became so irritating that I have to mention it, just in case there’s time to fix it before the final version is published: the first person singular objective case pronoun is me, not I. It was so seldom in correct form that the mistake had to be deliberate. Other than that, the book was a joy to read.
The book is set in a pre-industrial, almost tribal world that doesn’t instantly or obviously refer to ours, though the largest warrior culture reminded me of Rome and the smaller ones of both North American native cultures and Asian cultures. It’s a good mixture where nothing is so directly borrowed that it would jar and everything blends together to form something unique and new. The mythologies and habits are rich and they are brought up organically as the story flows. Countries and cultures have formed around different gods and though languages and habits remain fairly similar, the gods’ dislike of one another has transferred to humans too. Wars and raids are regular.
The main character is Hessa, a warrior priestess of Eang, the goddess of war. The country and people are called Eang too and the priests Eangi, which was confusing at times. She’s the only point of view character and the narrative is in deep first person, which works very well. She’s young (nineteen, maybe), but thanks to the constant wars, an experienced warrior. The priests and priestesses of Eang aren’t chosen; they are born with a special gift from the goddess, a fire that both makes them superior soldiers and heals them too. Other gods haven’t gifted their followers with anything similar.
The story begins at a low point in Hessa’s life. She has failed to perform a task from her goddess to kill a visitor to her town, and as a consequence has been stripped from her position as a priestess. While she’s in a remote shrine to pray for forgiveness from Eang who refuses to answer to her, her entire town is butchered by followers of a different god—an unprecedented occurrence. She’s the only priestess of Eang left in the whole country and she’s in disfavour. But her goddess finally appears and promises her that all will be forgiven if she finishes the task given to her. From that point on, throughout the book, she’s carried by one goal: finding the man she was meant to kill so that she can have a place in the hall of death with her loved-ones.
But things aren’t easy or straightforward when one is alone and facing several enemies. While she tries to locate her prey, Hessa learns that the entire world is in upheaval, and not just among humans, among the gods too. As her goddess increasingly fails to come to her aid, she starts to question her devotion and the task given to her. Little by little, as her faith unravels, the stakes become higher, until Hessa finds herself as a pivotal player in gods’ war against each other.
This was a very satisfying story. The plot flows organically from one event to another, with Hessa learning and growing along it. The pacing isn’t fast, but the chapters are fairly short and there is constantly something going on that makes you want to keep reading. Because of the first person POV, the side characters remain slightly vague, and none of them become more important to Hessa than her task, but I liked most of them. And I especially liked Hessa. She’s resilient and determined, and capable of adjusting her worldview when the old one becomes untenable. And in a true manner of epic fantasy, the person who has lost all becomes the most important person in the world. Since this is a stand-alone, the ending is satisfying and doesn’t leave you with a need to read more.
The book is well-written and the language is beautiful. However, there was a glaring, recurring grammar mistake that became so irritating that I have to mention it, just in case there’s time to fix it before the final version is published: the first person singular objective case pronoun is me, not I. It was so seldom in correct form that the mistake had to be deliberate. Other than that, the book was a joy to read.
January 19, 2021
Thank you Titan for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
A fantastical high fantasy adventure with a magical warrior and the ruling gods that war.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Hessa is an Eangi – A warrior that worships the Goddess of War that gives her powers to kill her enemy with a scream.
While banished for disobeying her goddess' decree to murder a stranger, her village is razed to the ground. Hessa must strive to win back her goddess favor. Through her journey she learns that the gods are dying and her trust within her goddess starts to fade, she is caught between a battle between the old gods and the new.
WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?
A heart pounding quick read, the pace does not let down as Hessa goes from one part of things to another in this story. I really enjoyed watching this novel unfold, the story had many layers and questions that needed answered.
The only concern I had is that I felt I wasn’t given the time to properly come to connect with Hessa before being thrust into the chaos. I did feel the god aspects were interesting but again, it was hard to fall in the middle of this story without context. Maybe a map at the beginning would have been helpful but I felt lost sometimes.
I would of enjoyed a slower build up about Hessa and her life. I felt the style of writing was more not really to my taste but the concept was enjoyable and the many aspects of the world were fascinating.
A must read for epic/high fantasy readers that love adventures (Think LOTR). A great new voice in epic fantasy.
Rating: 3.5
Hall of Smoke by H.M Long
Standalone
Publish Date: 19 January 2021
Cover Rating: 7/10
Adult – Fantasy - Adventure
A fantastical high fantasy adventure with a magical warrior and the ruling gods that war.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Hessa is an Eangi – A warrior that worships the Goddess of War that gives her powers to kill her enemy with a scream.
While banished for disobeying her goddess' decree to murder a stranger, her village is razed to the ground. Hessa must strive to win back her goddess favor. Through her journey she learns that the gods are dying and her trust within her goddess starts to fade, she is caught between a battle between the old gods and the new.
WHY SHOULD YOU READ IT?
A heart pounding quick read, the pace does not let down as Hessa goes from one part of things to another in this story. I really enjoyed watching this novel unfold, the story had many layers and questions that needed answered.
The only concern I had is that I felt I wasn’t given the time to properly come to connect with Hessa before being thrust into the chaos. I did feel the god aspects were interesting but again, it was hard to fall in the middle of this story without context. Maybe a map at the beginning would have been helpful but I felt lost sometimes.
I would of enjoyed a slower build up about Hessa and her life. I felt the style of writing was more not really to my taste but the concept was enjoyable and the many aspects of the world were fascinating.
A must read for epic/high fantasy readers that love adventures (Think LOTR). A great new voice in epic fantasy.
Rating: 3.5
Hall of Smoke by H.M Long
Standalone
Publish Date: 19 January 2021
Cover Rating: 7/10
Adult – Fantasy - Adventure
January 1, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hall of Smoke was such a good book! I will admit though that some things that were happening confused me for a bit. Luckily, for me, it didn't take long for everything to make sense. In it, you will meet Hessa. Now she was a person that you could easily fall in like or dislike with. It kind of depends on where you are at in the story. Don't get me wrong, she is strong and kind of a badass when she needs to be.. but she also goes through a lot.
Whether it's pain or on this mission for Eang, the Goddess of War, Hessa is a girl who will fight for what she believes in. At some point, I honestly thought there was going to be more of a romance than what I got.. but it just never happened. In a way it was bittersweet but I still ended up enjoying the crap out of the book.
Now while I enjoyed the book... I just feel like not a lot happened throughout it. Yea, we got some fights here and there.. but she doesn't really talk to anyone unless she needs to. Even if she does, it happens for a minute or two. I just feel like I needed a bit more in this just to make Hessa a bit more realistic or relatable.
In the end, I was intrigued enough to finish the book and the ending was okay enough to like.
Hall of Smoke was such a good book! I will admit though that some things that were happening confused me for a bit. Luckily, for me, it didn't take long for everything to make sense. In it, you will meet Hessa. Now she was a person that you could easily fall in like or dislike with. It kind of depends on where you are at in the story. Don't get me wrong, she is strong and kind of a badass when she needs to be.. but she also goes through a lot.
Whether it's pain or on this mission for Eang, the Goddess of War, Hessa is a girl who will fight for what she believes in. At some point, I honestly thought there was going to be more of a romance than what I got.. but it just never happened. In a way it was bittersweet but I still ended up enjoying the crap out of the book.
Now while I enjoyed the book... I just feel like not a lot happened throughout it. Yea, we got some fights here and there.. but she doesn't really talk to anyone unless she needs to. Even if she does, it happens for a minute or two. I just feel like I needed a bit more in this just to make Hessa a bit more realistic or relatable.
In the end, I was intrigued enough to finish the book and the ending was okay enough to like.
January 23, 2021
Hall of Smoke is a great novel and there is a whole lot about the politics gods play and their quest for dominance.
December 15, 2020
CWs: gore
Galley provided by publisher
Hall of Smoke was a book that suffered because I was reading it concurrently with The Jasmine Throne. I will freely admit that was a great big rookie error on my part, because The Jasmine Throne was amazing and probably my favourite book of the year. Of course anything I read at the same time would fail to stack up.
Of course.
So that was a major reason why I didn’t really get along with this book. It sounded great! But I think my focus on the other book led to my lack of real engagement in this one. Which meant that I was, for the most part, quite bored by it.
But apart from that, there were other bits I struggled with. For one, it’s a book that’s about 80% just travelling. Okay, so she meets people along the way, who help her or don’t, but it’s really quite boring just reading her travelling. Travelling because a god told her to, because she has been instructed to kill someone, sure, but at the end of the day, boring.
And it really didn’t help that I just couldn’t conceptualise where she was travelling to and from. This is where I can’t deal with fantasy ebooks, because I need the ability to flip back and forth with the map of the world. I couldn’t here when I needed it more than usual though, which compounded the confusion and boredom. (Of course, both these complaints massively “it’s not you it’s me” complaints. Feel free to ignore them. Feel free to ignore most of this review, since that’s all it amounts to.)
What I did appreciate about the book at first though is that it gets straight into the action. Okay, so it then wastes that start with all the travelling but within the first chapter, everyone the protagonist knows is dead and if that’s not hook enough, then I don’t know what is.
If only it had kept me hooked for the rest of it.
Galley provided by publisher
Hall of Smoke was a book that suffered because I was reading it concurrently with The Jasmine Throne. I will freely admit that was a great big rookie error on my part, because The Jasmine Throne was amazing and probably my favourite book of the year. Of course anything I read at the same time would fail to stack up.
Of course.
So that was a major reason why I didn’t really get along with this book. It sounded great! But I think my focus on the other book led to my lack of real engagement in this one. Which meant that I was, for the most part, quite bored by it.
But apart from that, there were other bits I struggled with. For one, it’s a book that’s about 80% just travelling. Okay, so she meets people along the way, who help her or don’t, but it’s really quite boring just reading her travelling. Travelling because a god told her to, because she has been instructed to kill someone, sure, but at the end of the day, boring.
And it really didn’t help that I just couldn’t conceptualise where she was travelling to and from. This is where I can’t deal with fantasy ebooks, because I need the ability to flip back and forth with the map of the world. I couldn’t here when I needed it more than usual though, which compounded the confusion and boredom. (Of course, both these complaints massively “it’s not you it’s me” complaints. Feel free to ignore them. Feel free to ignore most of this review, since that’s all it amounts to.)
What I did appreciate about the book at first though is that it gets straight into the action. Okay, so it then wastes that start with all the travelling but within the first chapter, everyone the protagonist knows is dead and if that’s not hook enough, then I don’t know what is.
If only it had kept me hooked for the rest of it.
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