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A Hallow of Talons and Tears #0.5
Of Ghosts and Storms
Of Ghosts and Storms, a novella set in the universe of Mancinelli's epic fantasy series A Hallow of Talons and Tears. A fantasy with horror undertones, LGBT+ representation, and French-inspired lore.
"You are but a specter."
Following the execution of his mother, Ghost becomes a servant in his own house. Zander Rochelac, his father and Lord of Noirmont, sees him as nothing but a curse carried by Ghost’s given name. Isolated from the rest of the world, Ghost is close only to his half-sister, Loveleen, heiress to Noirmont. Until he gets to know her custodian, Favian Belmont, better.
The story of how Ghost became who he was, uncovered Noirmont’s secrets, befriended Larcel. And died.
Note: This novella can't be read without reading The Empress of Beasts and Mist first.
"You are but a specter."
Following the execution of his mother, Ghost becomes a servant in his own house. Zander Rochelac, his father and Lord of Noirmont, sees him as nothing but a curse carried by Ghost’s given name. Isolated from the rest of the world, Ghost is close only to his half-sister, Loveleen, heiress to Noirmont. Until he gets to know her custodian, Favian Belmont, better.
The story of how Ghost became who he was, uncovered Noirmont’s secrets, befriended Larcel. And died.
Note: This novella can't be read without reading The Empress of Beasts and Mist first.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2022
8 people want to read
About the author
Ginevra Mancinelli
6 books88 followersGinevra Mancinelli was born in 1992 in Rome, Italy, to a Filipino mother and an Italian father. Growing up between France and Switzerland, she studied Literature, Foreign Languages and eventually graduated from Law school in Lausanne, Switzerland. Abandoning the idea of becoming a magistrate after witnessing the system's idleness in a case involving racial prejudice against a black student, Mancinelli spent two years rebuilding herself and chose to pursue her passion for writing.
Mancinelli writes from her perspective particularly when it comes to mixed races, age gap, stepfamilies, bisexuality, eating disorder, and depression. Her books are considered own voices.
Mancinelli writes from her perspective particularly when it comes to mixed races, age gap, stepfamilies, bisexuality, eating disorder, and depression. Her books are considered own voices.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 31, 2022
Broken families, physical and mental abuse, severe trauma, detrimental relationships, harmful coping mechanisms, paths of self loathing going hand in hand with self destructive tendencies, and yet, taking all of this into account, I haven't listed even a tenth of dark themes this work contains.
One thing I would like to specifically highlight taking into consideration the amount of heavy themes this book contains, is that I immensely respect the approach the author took, where it is clearly visible that countless hours were invested in researching and studying human behaviour, psychology and trauma response mechanisms, which in turn is a show of respect from the author herself to anyone who has ever been in any kind of similar situation.
It feels like there isn't enough of this in the world of books these days, where, commonly, as one example and recurring theme, a new love interest somehow tends to "fix" everything that was ever broken in a person who went through hell and they ride off together into the sunset living happily ever after. Big thank you to Ginevra for the proper slap of authenticity the world of writing desperately needed.
It is also worth noting that, intentionally or not, this author perfected the art of writing "villains" in a way that one simply cannot hate them. The only options available, across the series, but especially in this novella, are either love, love to hate, or for the more peculiar cases such as myself, to start a fan club (members still pending). In all seriousness however, there is a reason one can't hate these characters, and that is only due to the approach that was taken in portraying their motives, perspectives and inner thoughts, in such a powerful and skilful way, which can't help but sway the reader at some point to potentially agree with at least a part of their logic, understand their personality drivers, and in some cases even side with them.
Lastly, I would like to adress the topic of trigger warnings, by now it's common knowledge that they tend to rival shopping lists in length when it comes to installments of this author, however, my one and only point when it comes to this is the following, when planning an exquisite dinner, an amazing trip, or an astonishing event, ask yourself, whether you would feel better equipped with a short or a long shopping list.
Long lists provide us with best experiences, and this one is no exception.
One thing I would like to specifically highlight taking into consideration the amount of heavy themes this book contains, is that I immensely respect the approach the author took, where it is clearly visible that countless hours were invested in researching and studying human behaviour, psychology and trauma response mechanisms, which in turn is a show of respect from the author herself to anyone who has ever been in any kind of similar situation.
It feels like there isn't enough of this in the world of books these days, where, commonly, as one example and recurring theme, a new love interest somehow tends to "fix" everything that was ever broken in a person who went through hell and they ride off together into the sunset living happily ever after. Big thank you to Ginevra for the proper slap of authenticity the world of writing desperately needed.
It is also worth noting that, intentionally or not, this author perfected the art of writing "villains" in a way that one simply cannot hate them. The only options available, across the series, but especially in this novella, are either love, love to hate, or for the more peculiar cases such as myself, to start a fan club (members still pending). In all seriousness however, there is a reason one can't hate these characters, and that is only due to the approach that was taken in portraying their motives, perspectives and inner thoughts, in such a powerful and skilful way, which can't help but sway the reader at some point to potentially agree with at least a part of their logic, understand their personality drivers, and in some cases even side with them.
Lastly, I would like to adress the topic of trigger warnings, by now it's common knowledge that they tend to rival shopping lists in length when it comes to installments of this author, however, my one and only point when it comes to this is the following, when planning an exquisite dinner, an amazing trip, or an astonishing event, ask yourself, whether you would feel better equipped with a short or a long shopping list.
Long lists provide us with best experiences, and this one is no exception.
December 30, 2022
Some individuals just can't catch a break man....
The main character of this book is definitely such an individual. Those who have read the Empress of Beasts and Mists will know exactly what I am talking about. However, the book Of Ghosts and Storms offers a very unique, frightening point of view of past happenings not just directly related to the MC, but to Noirmont and its social system as a whole.
The writer once again does not shy away from awful, hard to digest scenarios and instead makes a deep dive in an unapologetic way (which I recognize as one of her main features, perhaps even the most recognizable). It is difficult to make this work properly, but the writer has found a way to make it work every time and I have to give her points for that. From now on, I will refer to this as "The Mancinelli effect". I have found myself uncomfortable and/or angry during the read many times, yet intrigued and motivated to find out more about the MC and his family. Without spoiling too much, the events that take place are absolutely heartbreaking. This is one of the first times that I genuinely feel sorry for a main character written by Ginevra, as most are written in such a way that they leave you morally conflicted or stuck in a gray area. For the record, I wholeheartedly welcome both approaches.
I must admit that the book has many charming moments too, some of which really activate the "ah ha" feel good chemicals in the brain. The writers ability to capture and breathe life into the environments is still present, even though the story mostly takes place in one area.
Overal, this book is very enjoyable and offers a lot of perspective, but it is definitely not for the weak...
The main character of this book is definitely such an individual. Those who have read the Empress of Beasts and Mists will know exactly what I am talking about. However, the book Of Ghosts and Storms offers a very unique, frightening point of view of past happenings not just directly related to the MC, but to Noirmont and its social system as a whole.
The writer once again does not shy away from awful, hard to digest scenarios and instead makes a deep dive in an unapologetic way (which I recognize as one of her main features, perhaps even the most recognizable). It is difficult to make this work properly, but the writer has found a way to make it work every time and I have to give her points for that. From now on, I will refer to this as "The Mancinelli effect". I have found myself uncomfortable and/or angry during the read many times, yet intrigued and motivated to find out more about the MC and his family. Without spoiling too much, the events that take place are absolutely heartbreaking. This is one of the first times that I genuinely feel sorry for a main character written by Ginevra, as most are written in such a way that they leave you morally conflicted or stuck in a gray area. For the record, I wholeheartedly welcome both approaches.
I must admit that the book has many charming moments too, some of which really activate the "ah ha" feel good chemicals in the brain. The writers ability to capture and breathe life into the environments is still present, even though the story mostly takes place in one area.
Overal, this book is very enjoyable and offers a lot of perspective, but it is definitely not for the weak...
June 29, 2022
This novella was something I didn't intend on writing. Ghost's story is one of the worst in A Hallow of Talons and Tears, but I understand why many of you were eager to know more about him.
I hope you enjoy this.
Of Ghosts and Storms will have its own paperback, but it will also come out in a hardback collection with other future novellas.
I hope you enjoy this.
Of Ghosts and Storms will have its own paperback, but it will also come out in a hardback collection with other future novellas.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews