Lord of the White Hell - Book One by Ginn Hale - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

May 17, 2012 Jaylon rated it 2 of 5 stars

This one started out great for me and I enjoyed it a lot UNTIL the scene in the brothel. POSSIBLE SPOILER: I keep seeing this happening in so many gay romance stories (and I always hate it) where a character has sex with a woman just to prove something, but this one was so disgusting to me, doing it in front of your partner and then being like "What did I do wrong? Why are you mad?... You'll beg me before I come back to you". I was so turned off by all this that the enjoyment I had had thus far...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Beautifully written, Ginn Hales’ novel Lord of the White Hell was difficult to put down. There was almost a bitter sweetness in finishing that last page and knowing I’m going to have to be less of an impatient pants, that I normally am, in the wait for the next book.

The scene is deftly set by the author. The world building around this renaissance fantasy is rich with crisp, clear detailing. As a new student at the Sagrada Academy, Kiram initially struggles to find his way through the upper crust...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Furio rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gay, gay-fantasy, gay-erotica

After the Potter series any fantasy claiming an academy as a setting is bound to see its originality questioned and possibly tarnished by the not necessarily splendid but surely hugely known fictional antecedent.

Now, Ms Hale may have taken some inspiration from that series but her world-building is so rich as to dispel any further charge as ridiculous. Her setting is complex and multi-faceted, so rich in fact that it is surprising she is willing to abandon it after only a two-volume series which...more After the Potter series any fantasy claiming an academy as a setting is bound to see its originality questioned and possibly tarnished by the not necessarily splendid but surely hugely known fictional antecedent.

Now, Ms Hale may have taken some inspiration from that series but her world-building is so rich as to dispel any further charge as ridiculous. Her setting is complex and multi-faceted, so rich in fact that it is surprising she is willing to abandon it after only a two-volume series which is actually more like a single book cut in two -quite expensive- parts.

Those readers with some knowledge of European history might agree with me that she seems to choose Renaissance Spain as a basis for her kingdom. Not only the names of the characters and the toponyms are vaguely Spanish-sounding but the historical situation appears to be similar to that following the actual Reconquista. The Haldiim culture, matrilineal though it is, appears to be a mesh of the old Jewish and Arabic ones, minus the religion of course. Once again people names give more than just a hint: plurals in '-im' and surnames beginning with 'Kir', suspiciously similar in use to the Jewish 'ben' or Arabic 'ibn'.
The racial and religious controversies that she so deftly meshes into her plot, while reminding me of "Wicked Gentleman", do also remind me of that particular historical setting.
Of course Spanish Renaissance is only a start point and many details are added.

As main setting and primum movens plot device of the book our author uses the classical 'British' college.
British colleges/boarding schools are those obnoxious institutions that -used to?- herald themselves to the whole world as havens which teach their pupils honour while giving them a superior education while infact allowing shameless conducts, bullying and abuse even from the teachers.
Things are not any different here. The Sagrada academy is -in my eyes- a hellish place where weaker students are mercilessly bullied by fellow students while teachers keep both their eyes shut if they do not openly encourage such impardonable abuses. There is even more than a hint that those weaker students may be sexually abused as well and that in a society that officially condemns homosexuality both through church rules and official laws: once again the hypocrisy of British society irresistibly comes to mind.
My issue with this theme is that nobody seems to care. Even Kiram, who supposedly is an outsider, does not really care. Ms Hale shows him as determined to show the Cadeleonians his worth by graduating from that academy disregarding the plain fact that said academy had been better burned to the ground with most of its staff inside. Personally I would spend my time deciding how to better drip some nasty laxative into the abusive war master's wine and not trying to please him, but this might be me being Italian and passionate.

In my opinion this is an extremely weak point of this work's structure and should be amended with a revision.

The academy setting is of course conducive to interesting character interactions. Kiram and Javier have all the time in the world to get to know each other and some other fellow students. Ms Hale does not make the most of Kiram's 'otherness' but relationships are interesting nonetheless.

Academy aside there is precious little plot in this novel. I am told by other reviewers that things change in the second instalment but this first half might be properly described as a romance with some fantasy elements and as such it could disappoint epic-fantasy lovers.
There are a few graphic sex scenes and a constant underlying current of eroticism that permeates the behaviours of the leads. Homophobes should probably avoid this work.
The brothel scene seems to have irritated most readers. Personally I find it meaningful and entirely consistent with the psychologies involved: of course it is a disagreeable moment but it makes perfect sense.

Writing is generally good with a relevant standard improvement since the times of "Wicked Gentleman". Yet, here and there, some particularly blatant grammar mistake disrupts the reading experience.

Despite the full price being far to high for a kindle edition, I found this an enjoyable read and will delve into part two soon.(less)

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Jul 20, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-want-to-have-babies-with-the-book

There aren't many books I consider to be epic masterpieces. When an author writes a book that will be labeled as such, and knowing that have achieved a deep emotional response from a reader, that is where they deserve a major pat on the back. This is where a reader will finish reading the last page and finally release a deep breath they have been holding inside because they have been on the edge of their seat the entire time. And, they will most likely go back and re-read it all over again.

An a...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kathleen by: Fehu

Shelves: first-time, au, paranormal

This book has a wonderfully built world, rich with detail. Javier and Kiram are beautifully wounded and are perfect for each other. However, this was not Book 1. It is like the first half of a book. The end did not resolve anything and left off on a huge cliffhanger (not that I have a problem with that as I have purchased Book 2 and plan to read it very soon). Although, I had one major issue. (view spoiler)...more

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Sep 08, 2012 SueM rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, m-m, magic, romance, curse

Perhaps a little slow to start but a very good to excellent fantasy-M/M romance novel. The plot and characters are slowly uncovered piece by piece, keeping the reader enthralled while simultaneously creating a story thick with tension. So many bits of knowledge discovered ended up being something entirely different from what one first thought, creating conspiracy on conspiracies. A truly intriguing story - but with one problem I really should mention - it ends almost in a cliffhanger, as the rea...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Jaya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: good, series, slashreaders

SlashReaders: So I've read a couple of other things by Ginn Hale in the past and found her work worth taking another look at. If you're interested her first work is Wicked Gentleman and the review for it can be found here. More recently than that she also had a novella length piece in one of the recent anthologies that I read, edited by Nicole Kimberling, Tangle: Fiction with a Twist the review of which can be found here.

Most of the time when I read things author's tend to go on one of three lis...more SlashReaders: So I've read a couple of other things by Ginn Hale in the past and found her work worth taking another look at. If you're interested her first work is Wicked Gentleman and the review for it can be found here. More recently than that she also had a novella length piece in one of the recent anthologies that I read, edited by Nicole Kimberling, Tangle: Fiction with a Twist the review of which can be found here.

Most of the time when I read things author's tend to go on one of three lists in my head. The first list is 'I will never read anything by you again your book was so bad', the second list is, 'This book might not be great but there is a lot of potential here, I will probably give something by you a try again in the future', and the third list is, 'I'd definitely read something by you again.' Ginn Hale, made it onto the second list after I read Wicked Gentlemen. I had a few problems with it but it definitely showed a lot of possibilities from her. After reading the two above books I'm glad that I did. Because truth be told I thoroughly enjoyed these two books.

That all being said, I liked to read a lot of books. I don't like to read books that are simply written for the sake of writing sex scenes. Those are the types of books that tend to go on my, 'never again' list even if the sex scenes are interesting and innovative. Most of them simply tend to get repetitive and boring for me to read.

"Lord of the White Hell", is a duologue about two boys going to a school. They both come from different cultures and have very different backgrounds and beliefs. One of the things that I liked about this book was the underlying tensions that carried through from the start and the fact that for the most part they both stayed true to their beliefs. Essentially in the end they come together and both of them figure out who they are and what they want. For the purposes of this book of course, part of what they want is each other. However, the nice thing about this story overall is that there are larger issues and more realistic ones that play a part as well. Ginn Hale writes a wonderfully full world that encompasses the characters, the scenes, and the entire plot. These were nice full books that are worth a read if you like reading about boys finding their way towards being themselves despite families, customs and other problems. Both of the characters are well rounded and each has their own charm that is enough to capture the heart of the reader.

If you're looking for a book with lots of sex in it, these are not what you're looking for. While there is some sex in these books, Ginn Hale builds up the tension between the two characters quite thoroughly before they get anywhere with each other. The main thrust of the books is plot and character. I found them both hard to put down towards the end.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Contrarius rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This is really about a 3.5 star book for me, but I'm feeling generous tonight so I'll go with the 4 stars for now.

First off, this book has a lousy title and a lousy cover. Sad, but true. Second off, this really isn't a complete book -- as any reader can easily tell upon reaching the "end". "Book One" and "Book Two" are obviously constructed as a single story, even more so than a typical duology or trilogy. So be forewarned -- don't plan on getting a satisfying, completed story arc if you just re...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Gene rated it 4 of 5 stars

My quest to find quality gay fantasy novels leads me to suffer through a lot of small-publisher dreck, rife with awkward, overwritten prose, cliched characters, terrible covers, amateurish typesetting, and many, many typos. While Lord of the White Hell has terrible cover art and its share of typos, it's actually quite well-written, with a strong novelistic voice, complicated, interesting characterizations, and a strong sense of setting and sensual detail.
The book follows the basic trope of the...more My quest to find quality gay fantasy novels leads me to suffer through a lot of small-publisher dreck, rife with awkward, overwritten prose, cliched characters, terrible covers, amateurish typesetting, and many, many typos. While Lord of the White Hell has terrible cover art and its share of typos, it's actually quite well-written, with a strong novelistic voice, complicated, interesting characterizations, and a strong sense of setting and sensual detail.
The book follows the basic trope of the fantasy academy, except with college-age students who are fully sexualized. The story is set in the POV of a 17-year-old mechanical genius named Kiram, who is attending an elite military academy in a country called Caledonia, which has religious, political, and ethnic tensions with his home country of Haldiim. So you get the general fish-out-of-water tale, with the added bonus that Kiram is gay, which is accepted in Haldiim but greatly frowned upon in Caledonia.
Anyway, Kirim is set up in a room with the hottie upperclassman Javier, who is Caledonian and a Duke, but also ostracized because everyone is scared of him, since he apparently has a "white hell" inside him, which gives him some very simple powers. Kirim thinks this is superstition, but he's still wildly attracted to Javier, and it's pretty obvious from the start that the feeling is mutual. Their personalities don't mesh easily, but they do become friends . . . and more . . . as they struggle together to figure out who is casting a curse that's killing off Javier's family.
This is barely a fantasy novel, beyond the semi-medieval setting and Javier's seldom-used powers. It's much more of a romance, even falling into that genre with some purplish emotions, although I welcomed a gay romance with a semi-fantasy setting while still feeling disappointed that it was more romance than fantasy. The challenging characterizations carry the story relatively well, keeping interest up even when the plot digresses and loses earlier, potentially fascinating threads.
Finally, the story feels incomplete, without a full arc and climax -- there's already a sequel available, and I'll bet that one feels more like a Part II than a true second book.(less)

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May 21, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

I thought if waiting to post this review, since the book will be officially out on June 15, but then you have now the change to pre-order it with a % off the cover price, and even more if you pre-order also book 2 together. Wait, someone will think, Book 2 is already planned when Book 1 is still to be released? Do you know what I think? the author has built a complex world, and she needed a lot of "space" to develop it that when she was in the middle of writing she realized that one book was not...more I thought if waiting to post this review, since the book will be officially out on June 15, but then you have now the change to pre-order it with a % off the cover price, and even more if you pre-order also book 2 together. Wait, someone will think, Book 2 is already planned when Book 1 is still to be released? Do you know what I think? the author has built a complex world, and she needed a lot of "space" to develop it that when she was in the middle of writing she realized that one book was not enough, and she parted it in two novels. But they are still, really, one huge book, and so I highly recommend people to pre-order both of them, if you liked Ginn Hale's previous novel, and I know you did, then you will be not disappointed by this one, if not for the "little" detail that, as soon as you will reach last page of book 1 you will want to have book 2 right there, ready to be read.

Lord of the White Hell is a Fantasy, and for sure I have to use the capital letter here; for sure it reminded me a famous fantasy series of the recent past, but, truth be told, it reminded me also a movie, Chariots of Fire, set at the beginning of the XX century. Like one of the character of that movie, a Jew if I remember well, Kiram was admitted to a prestigious academy thanks to his family money, and yes, of course also due to his academic value, but without the money, for sure there would have been any chance for him. Kiram is an Haldiim, while most of the attendees of the academy are Cadeleonian; the differences between the two “births” are most like a difference in religion and also in social status. From some Kiram’s remembrance of his past life with his family, and also from his academic knowledge, he is a mechanist, I had the feeling that Kiram’s family can be compared to middle class, and instead the Cadeleonian, and Javier, Kiram’s roommate, in front of all of them, are more like aristocracy. There is also a difference perception of Kiram of all things related to faith and superstition, Kiram seems to be less archaic, more open. And finally, the attitude toward homosexuality: Kiram is a virgin, he has apparently no issue in being drawn by boys instead of girls, his only trouble is that he considers all sex acts like a sin, but I felt his fears more like the one any innocent boy will experiment while approaching adulthood and sex. Cadeleonian instead considers homosexuality a sin in absolute, and if Kiram wants to be with a man in their society, he has to do that in secret.

Now, speaking of sex and relationship, I don’t want to give you the idea that this novel is full of that; on the contrary, if not for some sex scene, very mild and almost chaste, this book could be easily classified as Young Adult; indeed the main character, Kiram, is 17 years old, and most of his experiences are the same a normal boy his age will experiment when living home for the first time to go to college; of course a boy from a conservative family, today 17 years old boys are way more experienced than me at the same age, and I bet that at the beginning of the XX century they were even less aware of sex and sexuality.

If you are wondered why I’m speaking only of Kiram and not so much of his partner in this story, Javier, maybe it’s due to the fact that I think that book 1 is more centered on Kiram’s growth from boy to man, and indeed, at the end of book 1, that growth is not yet completed. Javier instead is on the brink of adulthood, he is able to tease and entice, and sometime he has the strength, and the sureness, of an adult. Kiram needs to reach a point to be at the same level with Javier, and he will probably be at that point in book 2. So a reason more to wait for that.

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/10...(less)

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May 22, 2013 Kimberlyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

The two parts of this book were a fascinating read! I finished one in one evening and the other in the very next evening (of course, I was supposed to be getting some major work done, but oh, well.....).

First of all, I fell right into the world that the author created. It was exotic and different but the details she had made it feel quite real, both the cultures of the Cadeleonions and the Haldiim.

Then I fell in love with her characters. Kiri, Nestor, Elezar, Javier, the Scholar brothers, even...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Foolish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, seriel, gods-demons, m-m, coming-out, fantasy, paranormal, hard-copy, favorites, e-book

From the first page I was totally absorbed with this book and couldn't put it down. I really could have done with another few hundred pages or so as I didn't want it to end and had to slow down to delay the inevitable.

I loved the developing, intense relationship between Kiram and Javier and also thought there was a good balance between the characters and the world building, which was new and exciting.

Well done Ginn Hale and thanks for such a great read !!!

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Dec 16, 2011 Magdala Garza rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, m-m, magic, funny, romantic, sweet

If I have to come up with one word for Lord of the White Hell, it's going to be: just right. Okay, fine, so that's two words in English, but it's one word in Filipino, dammit, and that word is "sakto". ("Sakto" probably comes from Spanish word "exacto", related via Latin to the English "exact". It's probably the word that Goldilocks would have used for Baby Bear's porridge, if Goldilocks had been Blackilocks and had lived in the Philippines. But nevermind that.)

Anyway, I say that LWH is sakto be...more If I have to come up with one word for Lord of the White Hell, it's going to be: just right. Okay, fine, so that's two words in English, but it's one word in Filipino, dammit, and that word is "sakto". ("Sakto" probably comes from Spanish word "exacto", related via Latin to the English "exact". It's probably the word that Goldilocks would have used for Baby Bear's porridge, if Goldilocks had been Blackilocks and had lived in the Philippines. But nevermind that.)

Anyway, I say that LWH is sakto because it has that pitch-perfect harmony of plot, characterization, sexual tension, and respect for reader expectation that makes it ideal for relaxing to on those rainy nights. This is a book that knows and loves its core audience. So if you're any sort of m/m or slash fan, just get yourself a cup of hot coco and a kitty to cuddle, and you're guaranteed to enjoy this smart and sweet story of two college roommates who have to overcome racism, classism, homophobia, and other assorted dark powers so they could get through the year (and end up together, of course). There's Kiram the machine-building genius and Javier the hot upperclassman with the unfortunate aroma of hell wafting around him.

I particularly liked how Kiram came from a culture that doesn't have any issue with same-sex relationships. One of my favorite characters is Alizadeh -- the magical, mischievous partner of Kiram's uncle -- and I thoroughly enjoyed how both partners were so free and casual with their love for each other. I also liked how the author made this one of the defining relationships in Kiram's life, so much so that when he angsts about not being able to get the same kind of full and loving relationship, I could understand where he was coming from. The context is so solid that the characters' individual rebellions against their respective cultures (Kiram not wanting to settle down at home, Javier wanting to love another man) just shows up more easily.

Now that I mentioned that, another extra-amazing thing about this book is the way it handles issues of race and class. Ginn Hale does this with such deftness, that even without any infodumps I still came away with a knowledge of the complex relationship between Javier's and Kiram's races, and the divisions between Kiram's own race (the Haldiim, the Bahiim), etc. It's all done with effortlessly graceful sprezzatura , which I respect a lot.

Also, and this is super-important, I just loved Kiram and Javier together. Aside from having wildly bubbling chemistry, some of their interactions were so laugh-out-loud funny (in a good way), to the point where my deskmates at work kept asking me if my boyfriend was texting me, and if not, what the heck was I giggling about over my phone?

Aside from that, there's really not much I could say in praise of this book that others haven't already said. So I'll make this review unusually short. After all, there's that crazy cliffhanger, and I have to get to the second book. (less)

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Aug 08, 2011 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, m-m, romance

Lord of the White Hell is one of those stories that you end up cursing yourself for waiting so long to read, and utterly sad now that it’s finished! Before beginning, I read a review that compared this favorably to Mercedes Lackey’s “Last Herald Mage.” And I do see a similarity in tone and feel, and some minor details. However, this is a wholly original fantasy with well-drawn characters and rich world-building that stands on its own. Absolutely superb.

Kiram is the first full-blooded Haldiim to...more

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Apr 29, 2010 Kassa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book one of Ginn Hale’s new fantasy novel is a classic epic fantasy story. Here the thick, intricate world building is infused in every page, every detail of the story so that the writing and pace can sometimes be dense, but fantasy fans will be thrilled with the total immersion in a fabulous, exciting, and innovative new world. The characters and story come to life with an interesting and pretty complicated plot filled with intrigue, drama, mystery, and a touch of hopeful romance. This is the t...more Book one of Ginn Hale’s new fantasy novel is a classic epic fantasy story. Here the thick, intricate world building is infused in every page, every detail of the story so that the writing and pace can sometimes be dense, but fantasy fans will be thrilled with the total immersion in a fabulous, exciting, and innovative new world. The characters and story come to life with an interesting and pretty complicated plot filled with intrigue, drama, mystery, and a touch of hopeful romance. This is the type of story that fans will appreciate and dive into while reveling in the constant world building. The hanging ending especially will keep readers on edge wanting to continue the series. This is easily one of the best books you’ll read this year.

The fantasy story follows the third person perspective of Kiram, a 17 y/o Haldiim mechanist going to a Cadeleonian Academy. Although he’s an outsider, he makes a few friends and is accepted into a popular group due to his upperclassman roommate, Javier. Javier’s family is under a curse that drives those afflicted mad. Kiram’s natural curiosity and sympathy have him wanting to help find a cure but the complicated political and cultural boundaries between his own Haldiim culture and the Cadeleonians may make his quest impossible. Not to mention the growing friendship and romance between Kiram and Javier may be acceptable among the Haldiim but Cadeleonians will not accept any such relationship. Kiram is caught between impossible forces on both sides, not quite sure who to trust.

The writing is incredibly good, as to be expected of Hale. Those familiar with other works by the author will recognize her style of lyrical writing and flair for prose. The world building is incredibly complex and almost overwhelms the story. On the one hand, this is clearly the point. The story and level of detail are meant to immerse the reader totally into the fantasy world. Every action, thought, dialogue is steeped in the new and interesting realm created. This gives a very traditional fantasy setting that fans of the genre will adore. This also tends to keep the pace slower with a somewhat dense amount of information constantly unveiled. I didn’t mind the slower pace, often re-reading passages and going back to confirm details. I didn’t find the writing or story hard to read at all, just very involved and complex. There is a small appendix with names and definitions but most of these can be easily gleaned within the context of the story itself.

While the world building and its creation may be the real star, the plot stands well with a lot of great drama and intrigue. Kiram is the fulcrum of all the various subplots as they all relate in some way to him and his journey. His friendship with schoolmates Nestor and Javier’s cousin Fedeles are wonderful insights into the growing camaraderie between boys away at school, while his budding romance with Javier shows the complexity of young love. The mystery portion relies on Kiram’s search for a cure to the curse affecting Javier’s family and especially Fedeles while Kiram navigates the social, political, and cultural differences between the Haldiims and Cadeleonians. His search feels authentic, honest, and steeped in the new reality. There are no surprise revelations, no sudden clues, but a methodical, almost tediously slow foundation built step by step. This keeps the mystery interesting while still always keeping the reader aware that Kiram is a stranger and outsider with unpopular customs and beliefs.

The characters are fully developed and each offers something to the story. Javier and Kiram are the main characters obviously but their understated romance is very secondary to the action and mystery. The story is careful to follow Kiram’s journey through school with all the unpopular subjects such as sword play, while pitting him against Javier’s subtle seduction. Kiram really shines as a young man mature beyond his years, eloquent, intelligent, and very knowledgeable about his cultural past and responsibilities. He feels a lot of self applied pressure to represent his people well in a climate he perceives as hostile and rigid. The comparison of his beliefs to the Cadeleonians is not always positive and there is definitely some narrator influence as Kiram obviously prefers and believes in his versions of truth and the past, but his ability to be open minded creates a wonderfully rich and interesting young man. Just as the complexity afforded Javier shows a complicated personality beyond the easy appearance and one that fascinates in every scene.

From the very beginning, you’re thrown into the fantasy world and this never lets up. Immediately immersed into a complicated story and world so there is little to do but enjoy the ride. There is a large hanging ending, which I usually hate, but done so well here that it works. Readers will want to get book two, but there is a nice pause between the two books with a well chosen break point. I personally can’t wait for book two and the complete story is likely one to be unique, memorable, and compelling for fantasy fans. Those readers unfamiliar with such dense world building may be lost initially but the threads start to come together pretty quickly so stay with it, the story is absolutely worth the effort. This is a story you’ll want to read again and again.(less)

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Nov 07, 2010 Kim Ryser rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010booksread, 2012booksread

This is actually a difficult book to rate. If you like this kind of thing, and I do, it's five stars. If it's not your thing, however, it's just not your thing. Which begs the question: well, what kind of thing is it? I am a big fan of the author's first book, Wicked Gentlemen, so I knew how well written this book was likely to be and what a skilled world-builder she is. This book is more fantasy and less alternate history than Wicked Gentlemen was. The thing it reminds of the most is actually H...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Lara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

First, I'm going to agree with everyone who said that this wasn't REALLY like book one of a two part series; this book is more like the first half of one book. This isn't because the book provides no resolution (it doesn't, but few series provide resolution in the first book) but rather because the end of the "book" was so abrupt that it felt like more of the end of a chapter. Thus, if you really want to appreciate the glory of this book, you really need to read part two.

However, I more than for...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Staci Goncharova rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 06, 2011 Lindsey rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: M/M fans

Recommended to Lindsey by: Dana

Shelves: gay-lit, fantasy, series

I decided to be nice since I did enjoy most of the book, but this 4 star is actually a 3.5 for how much the ending pissed me off.

I should say, that I was not a fan of the main couple, and I think Javier would be better off with Elezar, who is infinitely less high maintenance to Kiram. But that silliness inside, the world-building in here is as gorgeous as Wicked Gentlemen. The handling of the various religious sects and convoluted history is crisp and the settings completely immerse you in the c...more

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May 09, 2013 Rosie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, very-favourite-mm-keeper-books

The characterisations were awesome I loved Kiram and Javier more or less instantly. I tried to read this slow to savour all the world building - but ended up zooming through it because I was so captivated I just couldn't put it down... Great book!

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Nov 08, 2012 Casey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-fantasy

I finished this book a while back, but it has taken me this long to feel confident to write a review. There are few creative works in my life that can move me, either way! This book moved me in such an astounding way, I was at a loss for words! The love story, though the most profound support of this book, is secondary to the world it opens up and its complete fantasy wrapped in the underlying themes most homosexuals go experience. Both of our communities possible life roads upon realizing and a...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Dreamer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, author-american, magic, epic-fantasy, love-a-bad-boy, m-m-romance, tortured-hero, 5-star

Really enjoyed this m/m epic fantasy adventure. Kirim, a Haldiim, suffers from racial prejudice when he first comes to the Sagrada Academy. He comes under the protection of the dashing Javier, Lord of the White Hell and his companions, the Hellions. Kirim and Javier are attracted to each other despite the impossibility of a gay relationship in Cadeleonia.
description

'Nestor shot Kiram a puzzled look as if he was reassessing Kiram's intelligence. "He's terribly fond of you. Haven't you noticed?"

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Sep 19, 2011 Roylin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, romance

I thought this was a really good book. The world was pretty nicely created and made sense, though I had a few questions about some of the history, etc.

The romance was built up nicely, and I thought the conflict that the two characters faced in their relationship made so much sense based on the society they both lived in and the personality of the characters. So when they did something...I was not scratching my head trying to understand. They were well developed and their motivations made sense.

O...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance, sans-is-to-blame, paranormal-fantasy, historical-fiction, series

I have to say, I quite enjoyed this.

My one criticism is that it's overly drawn out and too detail-heavy in a lot of places, so it can be a bit slow at times, but the plot/conflicts, the characters, and the world-building were all great.

Like her book Wicked Gentlemen , there is not really much by way of hot physical action, but it's not really a YA, either, despite the ages of the MCs.

I'm also not sure I can see a great solution to the problems of a relationship forming between the two MCs, but...more

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Jan 09, 2011 Sylvie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, favorites

Gorgeous storytelling - one of the few fantasies in the m-m genre that actually builds a world and follows it through with the characters. I bought the ebook thinking I could wait for the Book Two to come out in a few months. No such luck *g* Upon reading the ebook of Book One, I rushed to order Book Two and devoured the rest of the saga in one night.

Lovely prose, fleshy characters, engaging plot - a simply wonderful tale that I will be revisiting over and over again.

(more on the review of Book ...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Yvonne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, fantasy

This had great world building, story & characters plus a very clever coming of age & coming out story (mainly in Book two) disguised as a fantasy story. Kiram & Javier meet as teenagers in Sagrada academy, a setting reminiscent of Harry Potter. I'm sure there are things that can be picked apart but my rating is based on the fact that this is the kind of story I would read again. A definite warning here: be prepared to get both book one and book two as book one ends on a cliffhanger a...more

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Jul 02, 2010 Josh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I particularly like the blend of mystery, romance, and fantasy here. I think Hale does some of the best world building I've come across -- in this case a combination of Middle Eastern and Castilian -- and so much of it lies in the small details. And yet for all the complex world-building, the focus of the story remains intimate and vividly personal (which is sometimes a complaint of mine in fantasy -- too often the story goes so big scale it's off the page). Really well done. I finished it and w...more

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Jul 13, 2012 ttg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, favorites, steampunk, reviews

A wonderful fantasy romance with very well-developed characters and rich world-building. A true and honest pleasure to read, and I almost wish I could go back to my pre-Lord of the White Hell self so I can go through it for the first time again. (I’m sure rereading will be just as fantastic, but I still remember my feelings of excited awe as I turned the pages, not knowing what would happen next.)

This is the first “long” work I’ve read by Hale, but I’ve been really impressed with her novella con...more A wonderful fantasy romance with very well-developed characters and rich world-building. A true and honest pleasure to read, and I almost wish I could go back to my pre-Lord of the White Hell self so I can go through it for the first time again. (I’m sure rereading will be just as fantastic, but I still remember my feelings of excited awe as I turned the pages, not knowing what would happen next.)

This is the first “long” work I’ve read by Hale, but I’ve been really impressed with her novella contributions to the m/m fantasy anthologies The Irregulars, Hell Cop 1 and Hell Cop 2. (All very recommended reads.) Hale easily makes the jump from novella to a much longer novel. (And that’s how I would qualify Lord of the White Hell 1 & 2--it’s a long novel broken up into two 350 page books. If you’re really enjoying book 1, you should do yourself the favor and go ahead and buy book 2. I don’t think you’ll regret it.)

Hale’s writing is smooth and detailed, and she adeptly paints a rich setting without overtaxing the reader with too much information. (And I kept wanting to go out and find some marzipan to eat after reading about Kiram’s care packages from his candy-maker mother.) The characters of Javier and Kiram were both very well-developed--imperfect, and yet you very much wanted to root for them (and for their developing relationship.) Javier also grew in ways that I would never have expected from the start of the book. You watched as a young haughty man grew to better understand himself, and also take steps to control and understand the “hell” within him. The way both they and their relationship evolved was very riveting to read.

It reminded me a little of Harry Potter, not so much for the magical fantasy setting, but there is one larger mystery that looms over the characters through multiple school quarters and seasons. They still had classes to take, and competitions to train for, but all the while, darker forces were still developing. Also like in HP, there are a lot of developed side characters, including school chums and relatives. All of these characters felt very realized and added to the depth of the story without overshadowing the evolution of the two main characters.

All and all—if you’re looking for an excellent fantasy with the added bonus of a well-developed and captivating m/m romance, I can’t recommend these two books enough. Hale is a fantastic writer, and after finishing this, I felt somehow “blessed” to have read it. (Strange but true.) I look forward to diving into her next work.(less)

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Jan 25, 2012 Alex Roque rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Originally posted on Chicks With Crossbows

I was first introduced to writer Ginn Hale when I came across her book Wicked Gentlemen at a convention a couple years ago. I ate that book up quickly, and when I came across more books by her last year at the same convention, I was quick to grab them all.

I read book one of Lord of the White Hell while on my honeymoon, and again, finished it in a couple of days. This wasn’t just because I was lounging on an island and had nothing better to do – I just co...more Originally posted on Chicks With Crossbows

I was first introduced to writer Ginn Hale when I came across her book Wicked Gentlemen at a convention a couple years ago. I ate that book up quickly, and when I came across more books by her last year at the same convention, I was quick to grab them all.

I read book one of Lord of the White Hell while on my honeymoon, and again, finished it in a couple of days. This wasn’t just because I was lounging on an island and had nothing better to do – I just couldn’t put it down and my husband understood and played Puzzle Quest. Such a patient and understanding man he is.I am always looking for stories that show the way that two people are attracted to each other, and how they deal with that attraction. Though I was, at first, not sure if the relationship between Kiram and Javier would move in a way that I liked, I was quickly surprised with the way it went. I’m not a fan of the ‘oh i hate you/now i love you’ route that many stories take.

Kiram comes from a culture that approves of male/male relationships, and where women run the households and are the heirs. The Haldiim seem very earthy and slightly bohemian in their ways. However, Kiram has been sent to a Cadelonian academy, the first Haldiim ever to attend, where the culture is very different, and relationships are strictly reserved for men and women. This, of course, causes issues when Kiram finds himself extremely attracted to his upperclassman, Javier, from the very start.
But it isn’t as simple as that.
The only reason that Javier is assigned to be Kiram’s upper classmen is because of the supposed white hell that is within Javier, which is something that Kiram doesn’t believe in. It becomes quickly clear, though, that there is something different about Javier – something is within him that could kill him, or someone else, if not taken care of, and Kiram wants to figure out what it is.

I appreciated that this book didn’t have Kiram and Javier jump into a romantic relationship right away – that they realistically assessed the situation and knew that them being involved would have terrible repercussions for both of them in the Cadelonian society. Eventually they break through that, and it is the way they become close that I really enjoyed reading. There are many other twists and turns that happen throughout the story, and I liked the trials that were put in their path – again, it felt very realistic that these two young men would be put through some of the social constraints they were exposed to.

Book One of Lord of the White Hell is an exciting read, and Ginn Hale does an awesome job of getting the reader attached to the characters throughout the story – and throws in some crazy turns that I didn’t quite see coming, despite my attempts at guessing ahead (it’s a bad habit I’m sure). Definitely a fun fantasy read, which i have already read twice. ^^(less)

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Jan 25, 2012 SSirppi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, re-read-2012, glbt-themed

Best Fantasy Books with Gay Main Characters. From that list I picked up Ginn Hale and Wicked Gentlemen. Then I came across Lord of the White Hell and let's just say that my soul was sold to Javier.

I'm revieving both books as a one because the story goes through the both books without any smaller conclusions. The end of the first book is just end of a chapter and the first chapter of book two is the next one. Besides as I picked the second book up immediately after finishing the first it would pr...more Best Fantasy Books with Gay Main Characters. From that list I picked up Ginn Hale and Wicked Gentlemen. Then I came across Lord of the White Hell and let's just say that my soul was sold to Javier.

I'm revieving both books as a one because the story goes through the both books without any smaller conclusions. The end of the first book is just end of a chapter and the first chapter of book two is the next one. Besides as I picked the second book up immediately after finishing the first it would probably be quite difficult for me to distinquish between the two. Book One is 353 and Book Two 346 pages long.

Lord of the White Hell manages something very few books have accomplished: none of the characters seemed to exist in the sole purpose of annoying me. Even Nestor who has all the properties which could to turn into nerve-wracking idiot doesn't. Partly this is probably because the story circulates very closely in Javier and Kiram and other characters don't get that much attention. As both of these characters are likeable and interesting this works very well (Btw. There are also other nice and interesting characters but I like it how the focus never shifts completely away from these two).

The world may not be the most original and you can see many things that have been modified from real world to the book. However Hale pulls this out extremely well and I found myself very interested in especially Haldiim customs and beliefs. The White Hell itself is so interesting concept that it would have withstanded even a little bit shadier surroundings. As I loved the world and fantasy elements in the story very much I would have hoped to see a little bit more of them but in the end Lord of the White Hell is fantasy and romance novel not fantasy novel with romantic sub-plot.

Little bit more fantasy and plot twists related to that and I'd be marching on the streets screaming praises for this books and Ginn Hale. As things stand I just want to buy the books and read them again from time to time. If I would look this only in the light of fantasy I would give it a 4½ but it's just such a lovely story that 5 is in order even despite the quite terrible cover art. The second book is slightly better but honestly I just love the whole thing.

If you like fantasy and don't held terrible predijudices towards boys love I really recommend you to read these. If you are ready to say you like boys love and fantasy you simply must read these books, there isn't a good reason not to. (less)

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Lord of the White Hell - Book One (Lord of the White Hell #1)

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