Pillar of Ash

The Four Pillars #4

by H.M. Long

Yske, a healer and daughter of the warrior priestess Hessa, holds the balance of power in a world--shattering war of the gods, in this thrilling, mythical and emotional epic fantasy saga.

The enthralling conclusion to the HALL OF SMOKE saga, perfect for fans of Ragnaroek, Claire LeGrand, Margaret Owen, V. E. Schwab and Melissa Caruso.

Yske, daughter of the legendary warrior priestess Hessa, has dedicated her life to medicine and pacifism in service to Aita, the Great Healer. When her twin brother Berin, hungry for glory, gathers a party to investigate rumours of strange sightings in the Unmade - shadows in the darkness at the end of the world - Yske joins the mission, to keep him safe.

Their journey east takes them through primal forests, walking paths last trod when gods were at war and ancient, powerful beasts were defeated and bound. And the closer they get to the Unmade, the more strange and terrible things haunt them from the shadows, corruptions in nature and monstrous creatures of moss and bone.

Earning the respect of Berin and his warriors, Yske must forge a place for mercy and healing in a world of violence and sacrifice. She must survive murderous ambushes and brutal sieges and take her place at the centre of the oldest war of all.

Thrust into a desperate conflict of survival, Yske and Berin will wage the final war with the gods - in the shadow of a vast and ancient tree, the fate of creation is about to be decided.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Adult

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2024

About the author

Hannah (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).

Reviews

[H.M. Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

GET READY - I'll be able to share more about this final book in the Hall of Smoke world very soon!

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled a bit in the middle but man, Long knows how to pull an ending. ❤️❤️❤️ Beautiful conclusion.

[BookMadLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pillar of Ash is the most fitting conclusion to the Four Pillars series by HM Long. This multigenerational saga began in Hall of Smoke with Hessa the legendary warrior priestess, and ends with her daughter Yske who has dedicated her life to healing others.

Although Pillar of Ash can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend reading the entire series because you will get so much more from reading each of the books in the Hall of Smoke world. Exploring themes like family and sibling relationships, friendship and self-discovery, each of the protagonists’ arcs unfold beautifully on the page. I really enjoyed exploring Yske’s story as a figure who doesn’t want to fight and refuses from an early age to follow in her mother and twin brother’s footsteps. Her inner turmoil and reluctance to be like her mother is a cornerstone of this book, once which Hannah teases out superbly.

Prepare for epic battles, terrifying creatures and monsters, petulant gods and the ultimate fight between the gods and humans.

The ease with which the reader can immerse themselves into this world is a testament to Hannah’s writing and her world -building ability. I don’t want to give anything away but I couldn’t think of a better way for Hannah to sew together the series and give a fitting end to the predominantly female protagonists who she’s created in these books.

I’m genuinely sad to see these characters go as they have grown on me since I started to read the series in 202. But I am so excited to see what worlds Hannah conjures up next (check out her The Winter Sea series if you’re looking for swashbuckling adventure and magic).

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the arc. Hannah’s books will always have a place on my shelves and I’m looking forward to rereading them again soon. Pillar of Ash is out now. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[E.M. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've been sleeping on H. M. Long's work, you're really missing out.

Based in Canada, Long writes Viking-inspired fantasy and the world she's built, anchored by the warrior priestess Hessa and the High Halls of the Gods, is truly cohesive and engaging.

Long often compares her work to playing Skyrim, and that comparison makes sense to me.

This volume, which concludes The Four Pillars features Yske, Hessa's daughter. Unlike her mother, she's more of a healer than a warrior and struggles for recognition and belonging in a family and culture that values skill in battle. Pillar of Ash explores Yske's efforts to reconcile her calling with her family's traditions in all senses.

Of the four books in this series, this one strikes me as most like a Ragnarok adaptation, which is fitting given its Norse roots. Here's a Hessa quote that really sums it up, and resonated with me in this ongoing unprecedented times.

"I know you don't want this," Hessa said, her voice low, gentle without being soft. "None of us do. But our world is broken--that is the simple, unavoidable truth. And if we do not act, if we do not use every tool available to us and sacrifice our own desires, there will be no one left to heal."

Long specializes in episodic quest journeys that culminate in stellar battle scenes and this volume is no exception. Sometimes the books are advertised as standalone, but I really think you'll benefit most from reading them in sequence.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways this feels like it follows the same formula and patterns of the last books. And while I did thoroughly enjoy the last books, I wish this one had differentiated itself just a little bit to stand out. We have a journey/quest and trying to sort out what magical powers we have. We have a focus on relationships and worldbuilding and the plot taking a back seat for a decent chunk of the story. Like Barrow of Winter I wish the world-shattering stakes had been built up from the beginning to drive the story a bit more, but once they came into play in the last third of the story I couldn't put the book down.

This book also feels like it's the one that can't stand on it's own quite as much. We have many characters come back into play for this finale, and I do wish they would have been given time to breathe and interact, but as it stands they're mostly cameos or deus ex machina. It was nice to see them, but with many only being given a line or two of dialog it also felt a little rushed.

Many elements felt a little underdeveloped, actually. Berin's wife and unborn child, a few of the individuals on the quest, the consequences of Yske's powers, all felt a little left to the sidelines where the story would have benefited from fleshing it out a bit more. But I enjoyed Yske as a character, and this was a decent goodbye to a world I've really enjoyed.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad this series has come to an end for me! Pillar of Ash left my heart full, though, and it wrapped up wonderfully. I will fondly think back on these books often!

[Akemichan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mi è piaciuto che tutte le vicende dei libri precedenti convergano nel finale. Meno bene la trama della protagonista di questo, che ho trovato meh nello sviluppo e con molte relazioni date per scontate.

[Ioanna Papadopoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pillar of Ash" by H.M.Long is the final instalment of the 'Hall of Smoke' series. In this book, the story follows Yske, the daughter of Hessa, who was the main character for the first two books.

Like the previous 'Hall of Smoke' books this one is not a direct sequel and in many ways can act as a standalone book, but the reader will get a lot more from it if they have already read the previous books.

Like the previous books, I enjoyed this story immensely! I really love and admire Long's ability to offer a fast-paced, deeply personal writing style that never has a dull moment.

Unlike the previous main characters in this series, Yske is not a natural fighter and adventurer. She is a healer and a dedicated pacifist, which immediately contrasts with the dangers of her journey. Her personal arc to only heal and avoid conflict is one of the main threads of the book, and Yske is tested throughout the story. It is really interesting and unique to have a fantasy book from the point of view of someone who not only doesn't know how to fight but has a deep, traumatic dislike towards violence. It is refreshingly modern.

Another theme that is lovingly explored in this book is family relationships, and especially siblings. Yske's resolution to fulfil this journey stems from her sisterly love towards her twin, Berin, who is much more the stereotypical fantasy hero. I really loved the swap and how it was Yske's healing and self sacrificial power that brought the book to a close, instead of the traditional fantasy trope of the hero warrior. Their relationship also grows, reflecting within it Yske's controversial place in her mainly warrior society. Berin's approach to his sister changes as he realises her value beyond his own love for her, and he also matures watching her. There is a lot he can learn from his twin about life.

Unlike the previous books in the series, in "Pillar of Ash," there is a stronger romantic subelement. I began shipping Yske and Isik from their first interaction. I really adored that this wasn't a relationship that just began but a rekindling of an older quietened flame. It was slow and real and never the focus of Yske's life. It was, though, always important.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It had many cameos from previous books and was a wonderful finalé to all these separate stories taking place in the same world. I am sad that this world is saying goodbye. I will always hold a tiny hope that as the years pass, Long might want to give us one more story in this world.

Like others, I would also comp this series with Skyrim and, even if we never get another book, maybe someone in a game studio will read these stories and make an RPG game where more details of this world will come out.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sasan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been with the series since the beginning and it's a nice feeling to finally be able to say goodbye with Pillar of Ash.

[Arabic thoughts to follow]

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Hall of Smoke was one of the first books I requested an ARC for on Netgalley, and the first book I ever reviewed as an ARC, which in turn makes it have a special place in my heart. While I won't say that I enjoyed the subsequent books as much as I had hoped, I do recall that time very fondly.

Pillar of Ash follows Hessa's children this time along, as they navigate their ever changing world and try to survive it. Calling them children feels a bit weird, when they are in fact adults, but that's just a small issue in the bigger scheme of things for me here.

When it comes to the plot, or rather my enjoyment of it, I would rank Pillar of Ash as the 3rd or the 4th in that ranking. Not because it was bad per say, none of the books are bad in that regard, but more so because they technically follow the same basic plot line with some alterations. In other words, a deity is discussed, a journey starts and is sometimes slowed by issues before the resolution.

That in itself, was probably going to be okay since the world and who is in it is still super interesting. However, it's heavily dragged down by the characters this time around (surprisingly, the usual cringeworthy romance is not the biggest offender) in my humble opinion.

Yske is neither as entertaining as Hessa to follow, nor was she as interesting as Thray. The more I read, the more I wished for it to be a dual pov just so I can be elsewhere for a little bit as the plot progresses, but even then I doubt it'll be as entertaining when Berin, her twin, is incredibly irritating to read about.

Which is incredibly frustrating when Yske, is easily the one with the most interesting position to be in out of the three protagonists in these books so far.

I do believe that one of the biggest issues I have in this series is the seemingly consistent theme in H. M. Long's writing when it comes to male and female characters, and specifically when they are paired in some way. In the specific instances of whatever the male wanted, the female will bend over backwards trying to make it work even if she doesn't agree with it.

It happened with Hessa in Temple of No God in one of the most toxic and disappointing ways possible, it was semi-happening with Thray in Burrow of Winter before that came to a thankful stop and it has happened here once again with Yske.

And that to me, is pretty enraging.

Not to the extent of Temple of No God thankfully, but it's for sure not something I appreciated to read about in a book series with a world as interesting as this one. It's a brilliant showcase of H. M. Long's imagination with how many entities there are, abilities, new societies, fauna, flora and new areas to explore. And the author is not stingy at all about those details, to be fair, but it still feels like it is being weighed down by the before mentioned.

Having their own goals, or at least their own motivations that aren't tied to anyone else would have been so appreciated.

Unlike the previous entries in the series though, there seems to be a case of "Mean Girls" in this book that I didn't appreciate at all either. Not because it's not possible for it to be fun, but more so because Yske has a somewhat of a misogynistic side to it with how she compares her bodily attributes to another woman.

I feel like this could have been a very fun final adventure in the series, but there just seems to always be that "but" in there that stops it from delivering that for me in full. Which is a damn shame.

I do know that the author has a new series out that's a duology if I'm not mistaken, and I would like to give that a shot to see if a different setting inspires a different type of character interaction between the cast. So here's to hoping for a fun read in the summer.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pillar of Ash is the fourth book in The Four Pillars fantasy series. It used to be Hall of Smoke series, but for this final book they’ve changed the series name for some reason. It’s a Norsk inspired fantasy world according to the author, though not in such an obvious way that readers would easily recognize the inspiration. I took it to be a mix of Native American, Asian and Roman cultures; mostly tribal with direct interaction with gods, and one large empire in constant war with them.

First two books followed Hessa, an Eang warrior who set out to kill false gods. Third book followed Thray, Hessa’s adopted niece as she journeyed to north to find her origins. Fourth book follows Hessa’s twins Yske and Berin.

Yske is a healer who has learned her trade with Aita, a former goddess of healing. She’s partaken in the secrets of the Hall of Smoke and received godlike features herself. When her excitable twin informs her that he’ll form an expedition party to search the edge of the world, she goes with him to keep everyone safe. As a parting gift, Aita gives her the ability to miraculously heal almost every wound. But it comes with a great cost.

It’s not an easy journey and Yske’s skills are often needed. The final task waits at the edge of the world. She needs to revive a near immortal who has been resting in ice for several years, someone who has personal meaning for her. But if she does it, she’ll launch the end of the world.

The book is told in Yske’s point of view and the reader follows as she struggles with the consequences of her healing powers. Her patients aren’t always grateful and the reader is left wondering why she bothers. Berin especially is so annoying that only a sister could love him enough to travel to the edge of the world for him.

In hindsight, nothing really happens in the book until the party reaches their destination. There are creatures to fight and a journey to endure. But something is constantly going on, so it doesn’t matter. The entire plot happens in the last third of the book. There’s a great build-up to the world ending—and then it’s dealt with a literal deus ex machina solution that Yske has no part in. She and the reader are left to watch it from the side.

Thinking of the series as a whole, none of the follow-ups rose to the brilliance of the first book. Thray and Yske didn’t have Hessa’s trauma and rage that propelled her to journey to kill the false gods. Yske’s motivation for following her brother wasn’t compelling, and although she grew to be an interesting character, she relied too much on her godly gift to be a similar underdog facing the gods as her mother was.

Nevertheless, the book was a good conclusion to the series. Things were nicely tied up and this reader is satisfied. Still, there’s a lot to explore in the world yet, so if the author decides to continue, I’ll definitely read more.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[*AGatheringOfBooks* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last instalment in The Four Pillars saga was hands-down my favourite. I have loved everything about it, from this new world to be explored to the characters. Yske is without a doubt my favourite amongst the protagonists of the saga: she’s humble, honest and brave, she’s different from the heroines that have preceded her as she is a pacifist and healer and not a warrior like her mother Hessa and cousin Thray, and despite coming into possession of an almost godly power, she’s so human . She has her frailties and her strengths, her feelings and her fears, and she’s not afraid to lay them bare. It was natural for me to empathise with her, which was one of the reasons why this book felt more emotional to me than the previous three (yes, I might have shed a tear or two while closing the book).

Speaking of the plot, the book follows Yske, her twin brother Berin and their companions on a journey to the end of the world, to the unexplored east till the borders to the Unmade, a black void where nothing exists, that makes everything and everyone that comes into contact with it disappear. Along the way, the party will face many hardships and will meet new enemies, new yet ancient creatures and even new allies that will accompany and help them during their journey, some of them being readers’ old acquaintances like the Winterborn Arune and Thray (Thray’s comeback was definitely one of my favourite moments!) who’s been sleeping half-dead under the ice for seven years and whom Yske will save with her acquired healing powers.

Involved by accident in a three-way fight between the people of the east, Yske will find out a disconcerting truth related to an Ash Tree existing at the end of the world, a truth involving one of the four pillars of creation, the missing Imildese who was bound to a binding tree, to stop her from wanting to unmake the world and forge a new one. When Yske inadvertently frees her in an attempt to open an old door to the High Halls, an epic, final battle takes place between all the people of the Waking World and between the four gods - Imildese against her siblings Thvynder, Eiohe, Eirine who try to stop the goddess from unmaking the whole world.

I really enjoyed this book. The stakes were very high and the epic finale was a worthy closure to the entire saga. I also really loved the idea of the world having a real, physical ending/limit/border with the Unmade. Truth to be told, I always loved the author’s way of vividly characterising the world where their stories take place. I empathised a lot with the characters, and their human feelings and emotions put on the backdrop of a divine, epic battle for the survival of the world made the story all the more emotional and captivating.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley.

This is the fourth and final book in a series. This is Norse inspired fantasy with its own unique world, gods and people. Each of the four books does say it can be read standalone and originally I planned to just read the arc of the fourth book. However the series sounded pretty interesting to I decided to read all four books in the space of about three weeks. These are such fast paced books that it was easy to do so! These books are so easy to read, I just flew through them! I can see why the books could be standalone as they all take place several years apart, and books three and four have new main characters. However, I’m glad to have read the full series in order as there are characters and history referenced in the fourth book that were richer experiences from having read the earlier books.

The books aren’t particularly long, but they don’t need to be. The world building and character building are all achieved perfectly in the space the books provide. Because we always follow one protagonist rather than several different view points we really focus on one particular challenge at a moment in that character’s life that they need to overcome.

In the fourth book we follow Yske. She is a healer who, although being the daughter of a famous warrior (the protagonist from the first two books) doesn’t want to fight. Yske wants to protect and preserve life, not take it. She’s treated quite rudely and unfairly by her clan (at one point another character nicknames her ‘Yske the Spineless’.) she chooses to live alone, separate from the rest of her clan. Yet Yske is brave, working hard to heal and protect others, following her brother on a dangerous and seemingly foolish quest to support him. She is quietly determined even in the face of the cruelty of others. While the other books have had main characters who are warriors, this one shows when a different kind of hero is needed.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book, I felt very immersed in this world of warring peoples, where the gods are heavily involved and present in the lives of humans. I have enjoyed this series, it was so easy to read, so fast paced and action packed. The fourth book was a satisfying conclusion that saw the return of some characters from the earlier books, wrapped up open ends scattered through the series, while giving Yske her own distinct journey and opportunity for growth.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review may contain possible spoilers, so please read with caution...or wait until you've finished the series.

First and foremost, thank you for writing another incredible story. I hope one day this falls into the right hands and we can get a film or video game.

What a fantastic conclusion to one of the more beautiful and unique stories I have ever read. While Long has stated each book can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend readers read the books in their publishing order. I laughed. I cried. I cheered! As one of my most anticipated reads of the year, this did not disappoint. I was sore about not receiving an ARC (as I had Long's other books), but was pleasantly surprised when my boyfriend sent me the book a few days after release (knowing full well I am on a book buying ban).

Yske is a healer, not a fighter. Or so she thinks. Her character development throughout the story reveals that she is both and that she will do anything to save those she cares for.

"We serve the ones we love, the best we can."

I loved seeing all of the stories interlock with each other and how the MCs of each book all come together. And while this is not a romance, it was nice to see a glimpse of it with Yske and Isik. I was ecstatic to see that he had gone after her, and ultimately confessing his love to her despite their circumstances. I found myself cheering "Go get your girl!" when he would appear to her. The devotion, though lightly done, was beautiful.

As with Long's other stories, her picture and importance of family was beautifully written. Be it blood family or found, the moments were genuinely wholesome, and at times fierce. I enjoyed the bond with Yske and her twin, though he could be a bit hard headed at times.

She writes these amazing stories of family, of fighting for what you believe in, and love so flawlessly that the Four Pillars feels like a masterpiece. I'll never get over her cinematic way of writing and how she effortlessly immerses the reader into a scene with a few simple lines. The original lore is captivating!

Please read these books. Dear reader, you are missing out if you do not. I'm going to miss this series, but am looking forward to the many rereads.

[M. K. French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hessa's daughter Yske is a healer and her twin brother Berin gathers warriors to investigate the Unmade – shadows in the darkness at the end of the world. More interested in healing than violence, Yske grudgingly earns the respect of the warriors and tries to find a place for mercy in the world. Yske and Berin are part of the final war with the gods, and the fate of creation is about to be decided.

Hessa is still alive and well, and working with the gods and Miri alike. Beyond the High Halls and the Waking World of mortals is the Unmade, and odd things were noted in the Unmade. There's talk of a great tree and the Great Bear, so Berin would rather try to track them down when his wife asks him to leave. He also wants to make a name for himself the way Hessa had before he was born, and the peace with the southern empire and tribes means that there are no great battles for him to look forward to. Instead, he looks to the east that even the Miri don't explore. Disasters start from the first day, and there are dangers that the mortals must fight past.

While we had heard of the Four Pillars before, this is where the story really comes to a head. Four gods that created this world, one with the power to unmake it. Like a child with Legos, it's this goddess that wants to take everything apart and remake it anew because of the way they were treated by Miri and mortals. Finding out who to trust and why it happened brings the saga together, and we see heroes from earlier volumes as well. The history posed here is one that the twins must contend with as well, for the stories of their parents (particularly Hessa) precedes them. Both twins grow up on the journey, becoming who they were meant to be. Fate likely has more in store for them; as Yske says many times, history and fate are very involved in their bloodline. This is unlikely to change, and we'll be here to read those tales if they come.

[SARA ~ ☁️ ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a struggle to even put down. H. M. Long's prose is engaging, flowing and captivating in a way that leads a reader (me that is) to not even look up until it's well into the early hours of the morning. Let me tell you, my love for H.M Long's books will never fail. What a journey this has been. This is the final installment, and I wept.

First two books followed Hessa, an Eang warrior who set out to kill false gods.
Third book followed Thray, Hessa’s adopted niece as she journeyed to north to find her origins.
Fourth book follows Hessa’s twins Yske and Berin.

Ending the series by following Hessa's twins was a brilliant conclusion. The book is told in Yske’s point of view and the reader follows as she struggles with the consequences of her healing powers. Her patients aren’t always grateful and the reader is left wondering why she bothers. Berin especially is so annoying that only a sister could love him enough to travel to the edge of the world for him.

I loved seeing all of the stories interlock with each other and how the main characters of each book all come together. And while this is not a romance, it was nice to see a glimpse of it with Yske and Isik. I also want to say how impressive it is to create a series where every single book is seen as a standalone and where it actually works.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It made me so happy to see characters from previous titles make an appearance and was a wonderful finalé to all these separate stories taking place in the same world. I am sad that this world is saying goodbye.

Congratulations to H. M. Long for a wonderful book and series, and thank you for providing an adventure that will be hard to forget.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for an opportunity to read Pillar of Ash as an advanced reader copy.

[Rachel Feeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to miss this series. Each one, I start out a little sad that it’s not a direct sequel, and by the end I’m completely in love with the new setting and characters.

This final book in the Four Pillars series features Yske, daughter of Hessa the warrior priestess. I hoarded all those little references to her family, who we got to know in past books. They all make me smile, even Imnir, that grump.

And, surprise, I quickly fell in love with Yske. Confronted with violence at an early age, Yske turned to the goddess of healing to learn how to fix the wounds of others, and to ease the violence within herself. However, martial skill and strength are respected in Eang and the wilds beyond, and when Yske joins her brother’s traveling party, she must reconcile her desire for peace with the brutal nature of survival and the need to protect those she loves.

All of this is twined together with non-stop action, expanded lore of the gods, old friendships and love, and spooky creatures that’d have the traditional barrow skeletons rattling in their boots. The story also dwells on the nature of secrets. Because of her heritage and access to the High Halls, Yske knows more than most mortals. But there are still secrets kept from her, and lies which she knows her mother tells as a form of protection. This limited information gives new sides to falsehoods and truths, and Yske has to consider how much secrecy she can accept alongside trust.

There are two other themes that I wish had gotten a bit more discussion. First, the discussion of the Miri (aka kind of deities) craving worship. This is brought up as a point of tension between Yske and her Miri friend, who dislikes Yske making sacrifices for “her goddess” and warns that close relationships between humans and Miri will result in one becoming subservient. This issue doesn’t get fully resolved, and I wish there’d been one or two more conversations. The second item is the consequences of a gift Yske receives. By the end, she expects to pay an unknown, terrible cost, but once the final action resolves, this isn’t explained. (Or I just missed it? Not impossible).

I think Temple of No God and Barrow of Winter will always be my favorites, but Pillar of Ash is a strong conclusion to the series.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

PILLAR OF ASH brings this quartet to a close, the world coming close to being unmade as threads woven through the series conclude.

This is a book about a healer and a pacifist trying to keep those she loves alive in a violent world where not taking up weapons is frowned upon. I liked having a less martially inclined protagonist, one who values healing and nature over brute force. Yske isn't naïve about the world, but determined not to let it force onto her ideals she doesn't want.

This is the book where the series title (new since BARROW OF WINTER), The Four Pillars, really makes sense. I liked seeing the hints dropped come together - and the pillars themselves play a role in the book (though the focus is very much on Yske.) Like BARROW OF WINTER, this book has a new protagonist to follow. The other two protagonists, Hessa and Thray, show up without taking the focus off Yske, which was a nice thread of continuity.

I've enjoyed how each book explores a new part of the ever expanding world. This time, the book heads east to the very edges of the world. There are some pretty unnerving creatures out here (the revenants, *shudders*) which were fun in a creepy way.

I am sad to say goodbye to this series, but it ended in an epic way, bringing together the many characters of the books.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one at the end of the world. I've loved the Four Pillars series since @sifaelizabethreads made me read the first book way back in February 2021. I have loved reading this series following Hessa, Thray, and now Yske on their adventures. Pillar of Ash deftly pulls the threads carefully placed over the last 3 books leading to a stunning ending. Yske is a brilliant lead and very different to the warrior women who raised her. Her healing abilities are what get her dragged off on her brother's quest to the far distant east and monsters and the unknown.
I loved watching the development of her character, her complex relationship with her travelling companions and her friend Isik. Sweet, wonderful, well meaning Isik. I like Isik.

Honestly this is such a great adventure and end to the series and I loved how each of the main and major characters from throughout the series all got an ending that made sense given their arc, the incredible world building remains a character of its own I could really feel myself in each of the locations. The uncomfortable and damp trek through the forest, the eerie location at the end of the world, and the sudden shifts in tension as they travelled putting me on the edge of my seat.

Honestly, as devastated as I am that it's over, it was a joy to read and I can't wait for Black Tide Son. I'd probably read @hmlongbooks' shopping lists at this point xD. A massive thank you to @titanbooks for approving my @netgalley request!

[Kerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!
I am sad to see this series in but grateful for the time we got to spend there.

Pillar of Ash is the epic conclusion to the 4-book series, The Four Pillars and like its predecessors, functions as a standalone novel set in the same world as the previous with relation to but not exactly the same characters. Also, like its predecessor, this story was a quest-like story following main character Yske and her twin brother Berin and his crew, to the ends of their world. Yske is a healer (my favorite character trope!) with a distaste for war and violence who finds her principles in continuous conflict with what it takes to survive while on their journey. I loved Yske’s character, finding her growth arc to be relatable as well as purposeful and I also enjoyed the small sprinkle of “impossible love” romance.

As per usual, H.M. Long is a MASTER in delivering us the most vivid and gorgeous settings, this one a winter deep dark forest. Every time I pick up one of her books I feel literally transported into wherever location it takes place in! It has gods and magic, unique mythology and magical creatures, axe-wielding warriors, epic battle scenes, and even a loveable animal companion. I loved Barrow of Winter so much and was elated to see some of my favorite characters from that book show up for cameo’s in this one.

Long story short: I don’t care what H.M. Long writes, I’m gonna read it, and that is a fact!

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for an opportunity to read Pillar of Ash as an advanced reader copy.

[Jordyn S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off saying I had the privilege of getting a digital Arc copy of this book. My review will be honest. I got out of a ten year reading slump last year. I’ve been catching up on many series's lately. That being said, I started reading H.M. long’s Four Pillars books starting two months ago. I listened to the first couple on audiobook and I fell in love with the story. This book is no different. I’m a sucker for a good warrior story. A big thing for me with books is the authors writing style. I need to be able to visualize what I’m reading like a movie. I had no problem doing that with these books. The chapter lengths are perfect too for physical copies. Come on, we all do the “just one more chapter” and before we know it it's 3am. I love Yske. She was a character I was excited to read about. Her character development was great.

Another great book that I still think about even though I finished reading it. Thanks for approving my arc read. It was a fun adventure to read your books. I recommend to anyone that loves epic fantasy and to see different characters in books come together.

[dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💖


The conclusion to H.M. Long’s the Four Pillars quartet, Pillar of Ash provides a high-energy adventure story—one that also holds up as a standalone.

I enjoyed Yske as a main character very much. Although she doesn’t seem to “fit” in her warrior-driven environment, her actions radiated inner strength as much as her thoughts belied her self-doubt. Her relationship with her brother reveals more of this tension, though it is not lacking in love at all. I admit that I occasionally struggled to connect each ensemble member’s behavior to their name, but they all still felt three-dimensional; deaths and injuries felt raw and urgent even if I wasn’t entirely connected to the character.

The mythology is also pleasantly complex, and the finer details do not need to be understood to grasp to appreciate the full worldbuilding. As not-quite-human and not-quite-immortal, Yske and her brother undertake a quest integral to the final war with the gods. There is the Waking World, the High Halls, and the Unmade beyond them, a great tree and a Great Bear, and magic that demands great sacrifice.

Pillar of Ash is an epic, satisfying conclusion to a saga spanning history, fate, and the very threads that weave the world together.

[belles_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sitting at a sold 4.5 until the last few chapters of this book. This was incredible. Every page, every plot point meant something. I’ve seen people say this isn’t necessarily a series, but if you’re going to read it you absolutely should read it as such. The mods to a Hessa and Thray’s stories were fantastic, and so many incredible cameos.
This book had me crying at page 25, and in the last few pages I was inconsolable. I don’t want to give any of the plot away but the writing itself is lyrical while still being realistic and not too difficult. The world building is consistent with the last book but still builds to create something new, the inclusion of the unmade was really interesting and we see a lot of new lore. Our characters were fantastic. Serra was a surprising addition, Berin properly drove me nuts but I loved him, and our FMC was spectacular. Also so many old friends coming back.
This will definitely make my top 10 this year, and while I’m so sad it’s over, I’m also so happy it finished the way it did.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Pillar of Ash, the Four Pillars series completes a circle of life, where the main character, Yske, is the daughter of the main character of the first two books in the series. This story, like the three before, takes the protagonist on a journey or quest. For Yske, she goes to protect her brother on his travels to the end of the world. The story maintains the atmospheric feeling that the other books in the series established, somewhere between Viking saga and Native American folklore. There is some action and lessons, like the cost of power, that carry the book through to the end. The ending truly picks up a spark, but, unlike the prior books, it felt more like the main character was there to witness something and not participate. For anyone who had enjoyed the series, the ending is a fitting conclusion that takes the stories full circle.

[Jenn (Jenn’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WILL FOREVER BE IN LOVE WITH HANNAH LONG AND HER BOOKS OKAY SHE IS BRILLIANT
this ending???? was everything??? Hannah did this absolutely perfect ending sequence that brought not only the book itself to a close in a SUPER epic wonderful way but the entire series and I was fist bumping and sobbing and it was?? everything??????
I will forever and ever and ever recommend these books because they are exactly what I want fantasy to be. They are so beautifully epic, gorgeously written, and paint such a beautiful world to sink into that the only way I can describe it is being sung a lullaby by the prose and yet it's still so epic and paced super well. I strive to be an author of this calibre, y'all. This is it.

[Book Enchanted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pillar of Ash is a fantastic finale to the Hall of Smoke series! While you can totally dive into this book alone, trust me, reading the whole series is a game-changer.

I love how H.M. Long flips the script with Yske. Instead of another badass warrior, we get a healer who's more comfortable with herbs than swords. Her journey is super refreshing and shows that strength comes in different forms. The sibling bond between Yske and her twin Berin is heartwarming and adds a unique dynamic.

Prepare for epic battles, mythical creatures, and a dash of romance! The world-building is top-notch, and the ending feels like a perfect goodbye to this amazing series. If you're a fan of strong female characters and fantastical adventures, Pillar of Ash is a must-read!

Thanks to both NetGalley and Titan Books for the arc.

[Carina Borutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5 this was borderline perfection to me!

The characters were very well developed, the setting was more than stunning, the relationships went deep and evolved during the course of action. The world building alone had me within pages which is remarkable considering that I did not read the other installments of this series.

Yske was a great protagonist, a very strong, independent and clever protagonist. She luckily had nothing in common with the "not like other girls" trope but was her very own woman with distinct doubts and problems - and I loved her for that.

I think, i will definitely pick up the rest of the books!

Finally, we have another brilliant Viking fantasy!

[Laura Newsholme · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the books in this series have been good and solid works of Norse inspired fantasy, but this final installment is by far my favourite. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the quest narrative and thought the camaraderie between the core group of people was really well explored. I thought the sibling bond between Yske and Berrin was great and I also enjoyed the character arc Yske went on. I thought the plot transitioned very well between a quest into a battle for the realm and overall, was really pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this concluding book. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 , 10/5 , the perfect, gut-wrenching, TEAR-INDUCING end to this series. im in tears writing this. once yske finally understood hessa is when i started bawling, and then it just never stopped. she has her own FAMILY now with isik and how it ended where it all began: at the shrine surrounded by poppies. dont look at me. HANNAH YOU DEMOLISHED THIS AND I AM SO SIMULTANEOUSLY HAPPY AND DESTROYED. thank you so much for sharing this with the world. i will be rereading this series VERY soon because i already miss everyone. thank you so much. i cannot wait to read the winter sea series. die hard h.m. long fan over here!!!!

[Em Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to find this in Waterstones a whole week before I thought it was due to release!!

Hall of Smoke got me out of a very long reading slump last year, so it's been such a pleasure to follow these characters through generations. To create such a rich world full of sustenance in only 4 books is truly a wonder, and what an action-packed finale PoA was!! I felt really connected to Yske and liked the new perspective she brought to this world. I can't wait to see what else H. M. Long cooks up - I eagerly await Black Tide Son now!!

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this author featured a lot on tiktok last year with her series Dark Water Daughter, so when I saw this I was intrigued. This story follows Yale, who goes on a journey with her brother. I loved that Yske is a healer, in a world where brute force is often preferred. Overall as a series I enjoyed how each book was different and explored a different area. While this is a series, the characters change and can be read as a standalone. I find the author did a good job of explaining what you need to know to understand the world.