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Hellmaw #7
Of the Essence
When a powerful daemon warlord is murdered in modern-day England, all signs point in the same direction: to Tehru, his nemesis throughout the dynastic war on Araunt. But Tehru knows that someone else has access to her power: Quills, a back-alley magic dealer and tattooist who once received a sample of Tehru's essence as payment for her services. Now the murdered daemon's followers are coming after Tehru for retribution, and Quills has to track down the real killer and clear her client's name. If Quills doesn't solve the murder in time, she'll be the one to take the fall.Contains mature themes.
- GenresUrban FantasyLGBTFantasy
Audio CD
First published April 30, 2016
About the author
Gabrielle Harbowy
32 books54 followers(She/her) I'm an editor, anthologist, and author. Welcome to my page!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 3, 2016
A debut novel from a respected editor, publisher, and author, Gabrielle Harbowy that takes us into the fascinating world of Hellmaw. The main character, Quills, is a delight, wonderfully cynical, self-sufficient, tattoo artist, exile, and powerful daemen.
Harbowy slips easily into the world of novelist with her debut, Of The Essence. Quills may not be human, but she has no love for the politics of the other exiles from her homeworld of Arnaut. But taking advantage of the daemons seeking her services as a tattooist for whom daemons can get far more than ink, Quills has put herself on the radar of the powerful Araunt war exiles. It turns out, keeping to yourself is much more complicated than it seems. The fact that you have no use for the schemes of others, doesn’t mean they have no use for you.
The novel is set in a new shared world, HELLMAW, from The Ed Greenwood Group, (Ed Greenwood of Dungeons and Dragons fame, creator of The Forgotten Realms.) The main character, Quills, brings us a beautiful commentary on human behavior…from a daemon. As a character, Quills is sharp, smart, cynical, and self-sufficient. The beauty of this character isn’t that she’s a “strong female lead,” in the stereotypical way, but she’s independent in a sensible way. Rather than simply throwing off the limitations of her sex when she first arrives on Earth in Medieval Europe by shapeshifting into a man, Quills makes her own place, one that isn’t historically implausible or simply silly in the context of the history of the region. Harbowy doesn’t throw away tradition and convention to make a point, she makes her point by fitting her female lead into a strongly patriarchal society without compromising either the character or plausibility.
In the present day, Quills has made for herself a life in an exile she doesn’t regret. Living among the humans of London Soho, Quills is a tattooist, inking mundane art onto humans, and not-at-all mundane work on her fellow daemon exiles. For payment, each daemon gives Quills a sample of their essence, which carries the power of their individual magic. Quills is able to ink these magical essences into both her own skin, and for other daemons who come to her specifically to purchase powers they would not have otherwise. Considering the vast array of both secrets and magic Quills has been accumulating as insurance for centuries, she would seem to be in a safe position, especially for one determined to stay safely out of everyone else’s scheming. She soon finds that the power-hungry among the exiles have plans for her.
When she’s set up to take the fall for the murder of one of the exiled warlords, Quills finds herself in a desperate race across her adopted country of England, tracking down and solving the clues that will lead her to the real killer, before the warlord’s allies come for their revenge.
Though Quills has never been averse to enthralling and using humans to her ends, she finds herself relying on a human whose strength of character and determination are the perfect foil for Quills’ strengths, and weaknesses. The evolution of their relationship is a lovely and natural progression that becomes something close to magical for Quills when she needs it most. Alongside this are set the varied relationships Quills has developed with her fellow exiles, the sort of many layered, complex constructions that can only develop over centuries.
Harbowy writes with the precision of an editor, and the sensibility and passion of a writer. Quills brings us into a fascinating new world as a character you’ll want to follow through until the end. I hope very much that Quills will appear again in this shared world setting. Of the Essence is the seventh book in the HELLMAW universe, a great place to start or as the next one to pick up. A highly recommended work from a talented and promising author.
Harbowy slips easily into the world of novelist with her debut, Of The Essence. Quills may not be human, but she has no love for the politics of the other exiles from her homeworld of Arnaut. But taking advantage of the daemons seeking her services as a tattooist for whom daemons can get far more than ink, Quills has put herself on the radar of the powerful Araunt war exiles. It turns out, keeping to yourself is much more complicated than it seems. The fact that you have no use for the schemes of others, doesn’t mean they have no use for you.
The novel is set in a new shared world, HELLMAW, from The Ed Greenwood Group, (Ed Greenwood of Dungeons and Dragons fame, creator of The Forgotten Realms.) The main character, Quills, brings us a beautiful commentary on human behavior…from a daemon. As a character, Quills is sharp, smart, cynical, and self-sufficient. The beauty of this character isn’t that she’s a “strong female lead,” in the stereotypical way, but she’s independent in a sensible way. Rather than simply throwing off the limitations of her sex when she first arrives on Earth in Medieval Europe by shapeshifting into a man, Quills makes her own place, one that isn’t historically implausible or simply silly in the context of the history of the region. Harbowy doesn’t throw away tradition and convention to make a point, she makes her point by fitting her female lead into a strongly patriarchal society without compromising either the character or plausibility.
In the present day, Quills has made for herself a life in an exile she doesn’t regret. Living among the humans of London Soho, Quills is a tattooist, inking mundane art onto humans, and not-at-all mundane work on her fellow daemon exiles. For payment, each daemon gives Quills a sample of their essence, which carries the power of their individual magic. Quills is able to ink these magical essences into both her own skin, and for other daemons who come to her specifically to purchase powers they would not have otherwise. Considering the vast array of both secrets and magic Quills has been accumulating as insurance for centuries, she would seem to be in a safe position, especially for one determined to stay safely out of everyone else’s scheming. She soon finds that the power-hungry among the exiles have plans for her.
When she’s set up to take the fall for the murder of one of the exiled warlords, Quills finds herself in a desperate race across her adopted country of England, tracking down and solving the clues that will lead her to the real killer, before the warlord’s allies come for their revenge.
Though Quills has never been averse to enthralling and using humans to her ends, she finds herself relying on a human whose strength of character and determination are the perfect foil for Quills’ strengths, and weaknesses. The evolution of their relationship is a lovely and natural progression that becomes something close to magical for Quills when she needs it most. Alongside this are set the varied relationships Quills has developed with her fellow exiles, the sort of many layered, complex constructions that can only develop over centuries.
Harbowy writes with the precision of an editor, and the sensibility and passion of a writer. Quills brings us into a fascinating new world as a character you’ll want to follow through until the end. I hope very much that Quills will appear again in this shared world setting. Of the Essence is the seventh book in the HELLMAW universe, a great place to start or as the next one to pick up. A highly recommended work from a talented and promising author.
September 7, 2017
In this series, a war in the daemon land Araunt has left exiles stranded on Earth, some at perpetual war with one another and other desperate to return to their homeland. In contemporary London, tattoo artist Quills collects essence as she inks magical designs onto humans and fellow daemons alike. That’s all the backstory you need to enjoy this delicately nuanced, suspenseful urban fantasy. Despite being labeled Hellmaw 7, it’s easily a stand-alone. The narrative was strong and clear, the characters memorable, and the mystery and its resolution provided enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages late at night. The leader of one of the daemon factions has been killed, and the crime is going to be pinned on Quills unless she can discover who really did it. I especially loved that although Quills can assume any shape, she prefers the dark skin favored by her grandmother. Added to this are the natural color of her luminous blue eyes and the way her own tattoos can glow. And move. My all-time favorite tattoo is a wing that, when properly positioned on her body, can fan open to reveal a secret carrying place (in which she stores essences taken from other daemons). I also loved the historical flashbacks that poignantly illustrated how Quills has been changed by her contact with humans, shaping her contemporary relationship with her human companion, AJ. Besides its aspects as a thriller, it’s a tender romance and story of letting go and truly becoming your own person. Hellmaw: Of the Essence is a satisfying read on many levels and marks Harbowy a talent to watch out for.
I received a review copy of this book.
I received a review copy of this book.
May 9, 2016
Review, "Of the Essence"
Exiled centuries ago for crimes against her fellow daemons, Quills has settled comfortably into life as a tattoo artist in London, until a recent murder with the potential for deadly political fallout lands on her proverbial doorstep. With all clues pointing to her involvement, and her comfortable existence in danger of bleeding outside of her carefully crafted lines, she must find the killer before the dead daemon's minions come seeking closure.
Gabrielle Harbowy's first novel,Of the Essence is the most recent release in the shared world of Hellmaw, from The Ed Greenwood Group(TEGG). In that world, Araurrans, also known as daemons, are at the top of the food chain. Earth is a backward world connected to their own through magical gates - a connection that has long been used as an exile for undesirables and access to humans, seen as little more than feed animals.
In Of the Essence, Harbowy proves she can translate her experience as a publisher, editor, and author of short fiction to the novel format. Her descriptions of London and the English countryside are lush without being overly wordy, giving each place a discrete sense of being instead of simply something generically "English".
Quills, and the supporting characters, are colorful. They are drawn with bold strokes but with a depth to them that is heartening and entertaining. They are all flawed creatures, relatable in their weaknesses. The relationships between them spool out naturally, weaving the reader in by inches. By the end of the book, Quills seems like a new friend. I hope to get to spend much more time with her in the future.
This novel, like each of the others in the Hellmaw line has a distinct feel; the author's voice sounds clearly even through the shared world experience. This seems intentional to the TEGG books and produces the experience of many different perspectives on the same world. I hope it continues, as every novel feels both like a trip to a favorite (if somewhat dark and probably bloody) land while at the same time being a unique introduction to somewhere new.
Merged review:
Review, "Of the Essence"
Exiled centuries ago for crimes against her fellow daemons, Quills has settled comfortably into life as a tattoo artist in London, until a recent murder with the potential for deadly political fallout lands on her proverbial doorstep. With all clues pointing to her involvement, and her comfortable existence in danger of bleeding outside of her carefully crafted lines, she must find the killer before the dead daemon's minions come seeking closure.
Gabrielle Harbowy's first novel,Of the Essence is the most recent release in the shared world of Hellmaw, from The Ed Greenwood Group(TEGG). In that world, Araurrans, also known as daemons, are at the top of the food chain. Earth is a backward world connected to their own through magical gates - a connection that has long been used as an exile for undesirables and access to humans, seen as little more than feed animals.
In Of the Essence, Harbowy proves she can translate her experience as a publisher, editor, and author of short fiction to the novel format. Her descriptions of London and the English countryside are lush without being overly wordy, giving each place a discrete sense of being instead of simply something generically "English".
Quills, and the supporting characters, are colorful. They are drawn with bold strokes but with a depth to them that is heartening and entertaining. They are all flawed creatures, relatable in their weaknesses. The relationships between them spool out naturally, weaving the reader in by inches. By the end of the book, Quills seems like a new friend. I hope to get to spend much more time with her in the future.
This novel, like each of the others in the Hellmaw line has a distinct feel; the author's voice sounds clearly even through the shared world experience. This seems intentional to the TEGG books and produces the experience of many different perspectives on the same world. I hope it continues, as every novel feels both like a trip to a favorite (if somewhat dark and probably bloody) land while at the same time being a unique introduction to somewhere new.
Exiled centuries ago for crimes against her fellow daemons, Quills has settled comfortably into life as a tattoo artist in London, until a recent murder with the potential for deadly political fallout lands on her proverbial doorstep. With all clues pointing to her involvement, and her comfortable existence in danger of bleeding outside of her carefully crafted lines, she must find the killer before the dead daemon's minions come seeking closure.
Gabrielle Harbowy's first novel,Of the Essence is the most recent release in the shared world of Hellmaw, from The Ed Greenwood Group(TEGG). In that world, Araurrans, also known as daemons, are at the top of the food chain. Earth is a backward world connected to their own through magical gates - a connection that has long been used as an exile for undesirables and access to humans, seen as little more than feed animals.
In Of the Essence, Harbowy proves she can translate her experience as a publisher, editor, and author of short fiction to the novel format. Her descriptions of London and the English countryside are lush without being overly wordy, giving each place a discrete sense of being instead of simply something generically "English".
Quills, and the supporting characters, are colorful. They are drawn with bold strokes but with a depth to them that is heartening and entertaining. They are all flawed creatures, relatable in their weaknesses. The relationships between them spool out naturally, weaving the reader in by inches. By the end of the book, Quills seems like a new friend. I hope to get to spend much more time with her in the future.
This novel, like each of the others in the Hellmaw line has a distinct feel; the author's voice sounds clearly even through the shared world experience. This seems intentional to the TEGG books and produces the experience of many different perspectives on the same world. I hope it continues, as every novel feels both like a trip to a favorite (if somewhat dark and probably bloody) land while at the same time being a unique introduction to somewhere new.
Merged review:
Review, "Of the Essence"
Exiled centuries ago for crimes against her fellow daemons, Quills has settled comfortably into life as a tattoo artist in London, until a recent murder with the potential for deadly political fallout lands on her proverbial doorstep. With all clues pointing to her involvement, and her comfortable existence in danger of bleeding outside of her carefully crafted lines, she must find the killer before the dead daemon's minions come seeking closure.
Gabrielle Harbowy's first novel,Of the Essence is the most recent release in the shared world of Hellmaw, from The Ed Greenwood Group(TEGG). In that world, Araurrans, also known as daemons, are at the top of the food chain. Earth is a backward world connected to their own through magical gates - a connection that has long been used as an exile for undesirables and access to humans, seen as little more than feed animals.
In Of the Essence, Harbowy proves she can translate her experience as a publisher, editor, and author of short fiction to the novel format. Her descriptions of London and the English countryside are lush without being overly wordy, giving each place a discrete sense of being instead of simply something generically "English".
Quills, and the supporting characters, are colorful. They are drawn with bold strokes but with a depth to them that is heartening and entertaining. They are all flawed creatures, relatable in their weaknesses. The relationships between them spool out naturally, weaving the reader in by inches. By the end of the book, Quills seems like a new friend. I hope to get to spend much more time with her in the future.
This novel, like each of the others in the Hellmaw line has a distinct feel; the author's voice sounds clearly even through the shared world experience. This seems intentional to the TEGG books and produces the experience of many different perspectives on the same world. I hope it continues, as every novel feels both like a trip to a favorite (if somewhat dark and probably bloody) land while at the same time being a unique introduction to somewhere new.
July 18, 2016
A threatened daemon treading a treacherous path
In the dangerous and sometimes bloodthirsty world of daemonic intrigue, the artist Quills attempts to stand apart. The story of her attempt to remain safe in a swirling sea of danger is inventive and compelling. The novel was a wonderful weave of political intrigue, cloak-and-dagger intrigue, and individual conviction, yielding a highly personal tale of struggle within a broader, brutal setting.
The protagonist had a nice mix of daemonic hunger, the detachment of an exiled expatriate, and a clear, personal will that made Quills a compelling and complex character. Her story is a rewarding journey to the Hellmaw, and I'm looking forward to see other stories in this potentially horrific yet strangely enticing setting.
In the dangerous and sometimes bloodthirsty world of daemonic intrigue, the artist Quills attempts to stand apart. The story of her attempt to remain safe in a swirling sea of danger is inventive and compelling. The novel was a wonderful weave of political intrigue, cloak-and-dagger intrigue, and individual conviction, yielding a highly personal tale of struggle within a broader, brutal setting.
The protagonist had a nice mix of daemonic hunger, the detachment of an exiled expatriate, and a clear, personal will that made Quills a compelling and complex character. Her story is a rewarding journey to the Hellmaw, and I'm looking forward to see other stories in this potentially horrific yet strangely enticing setting.
June 23, 2017
I loved it, Gabrielle's idea of magic through tattoos is original and striking. The mystery and complex characters just worked.
Now I want a tattoo.
Now I want a tattoo.
June 10, 2016
A driving adventure, this installment in the Hellmaw series, keeps the reader interested at every turn. The protagonist Daemon, (we can dare to call her a heroine ) while attempting to save herself from a life of being a pawn in other Daemon’s conflicts, is drawn into solving a murder and escaping its sterile vengeance.
Quills, Gabrielle Harbowy’s tattoo artist Daemon, exiled from Araunt many years ago, plies her trade for sustenance and perks on human and Araurran alike. Her medium and her powers are in ink as with each scratch of tattoo design both nourishes her and imbues its canvas skin with power. Quills is determined to stay neutral in a world where everyone around her takes sides and to do no harm in a world where harm itself is a currency.
Harbowy, likewise, practices her trade with ink on the page, and she is able to enthrall her mere human readers into this world of Hellmaw as a place of both darkness and homey familiarity.
I purchased this book in the Kindle version with audio enhancement and can say that the narrator’s voice talent and Harbowy’s words are just as spellbinding as her ink. Fans of dark fantasy will enjoy this tale of an alien to our world who is both a stranger in a strange land, and also neither.
Quills, Gabrielle Harbowy’s tattoo artist Daemon, exiled from Araunt many years ago, plies her trade for sustenance and perks on human and Araurran alike. Her medium and her powers are in ink as with each scratch of tattoo design both nourishes her and imbues its canvas skin with power. Quills is determined to stay neutral in a world where everyone around her takes sides and to do no harm in a world where harm itself is a currency.
Harbowy, likewise, practices her trade with ink on the page, and she is able to enthrall her mere human readers into this world of Hellmaw as a place of both darkness and homey familiarity.
I purchased this book in the Kindle version with audio enhancement and can say that the narrator’s voice talent and Harbowy’s words are just as spellbinding as her ink. Fans of dark fantasy will enjoy this tale of an alien to our world who is both a stranger in a strange land, and also neither.
June 18, 2016
Fantastic kick-ass protagonist in a compelling story of humanity. It's number 7 in a shared-world series, but it stands alone.
Quills has five days to figure out who murdered a popular daemon warlord, or she'll be framed for the crime. In the midst of wondering why no one's stepping up to take credit, she starts a chase for answers that leads her all over England and through some serious soul-searching as well. Real history is woven expertly into a fictionalized modern-day world, just like real emotion is woven expertly into characters whose alienness makes them all the more human.
Quills has five days to figure out who murdered a popular daemon warlord, or she'll be framed for the crime. In the midst of wondering why no one's stepping up to take credit, she starts a chase for answers that leads her all over England and through some serious soul-searching as well. Real history is woven expertly into a fictionalized modern-day world, just like real emotion is woven expertly into characters whose alienness makes them all the more human.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews