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The Hell Chronicles #3
Helltown
The Gods are at war and it's all my fault!
Betrayed, Sif awakens from her artificial sleep to a new world where the Dark Elves have invaded and began to cull humanity. But it's Loki, the Norse god of mischief, who has her head swimming. He's given her one task--to fix this mess.
Lady Hel has returned to Helheim, her kingdom restored, but it's not enough. She's dragged Thor with her to teach him a valuable lesson, and with the Bifrost Bridge broken, the gods of Asgard are unable to help.
The only hope this dystopian Midgard has is a motley crew, and should they fail, they risk the Dark Elves culling them, and all of humanity.
if might have refused the call to be a hero, but fate has other intentions.
Betrayed, Sif awakens from her artificial sleep to a new world where the Dark Elves have invaded and began to cull humanity. But it's Loki, the Norse god of mischief, who has her head swimming. He's given her one task--to fix this mess.
Lady Hel has returned to Helheim, her kingdom restored, but it's not enough. She's dragged Thor with her to teach him a valuable lesson, and with the Bifrost Bridge broken, the gods of Asgard are unable to help.
The only hope this dystopian Midgard has is a motley crew, and should they fail, they risk the Dark Elves culling them, and all of humanity.
if might have refused the call to be a hero, but fate has other intentions.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2018
20 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Tina Glasneck
79 books184 followersTINA GLASNECK can't imagine a world without books. Her works have been classified in several genres, including mystery, suspense, fantasy and paranormal romance, and new adult.Yet for Tina, it is all about the characters and their journeys.
An avid reader with a love of traveling, meeting new people and exploring her world, her interest in law, religion, history, fantasy, and dragons, made writing about it an “easy” choice. Give her a castle to enchant her, and tell her a funny story to make her snort with laughter, but please don’t serve her cake with red icing.
Tina takes joy in beautiful architecture, lively cities and world travel. She enjoys creating make-believe worlds where she sometimes resides, and is often thinking and tinkering on her next story. Sometimes she feels like a real life Cinderella, without the ashes or the fairy godmother, and at other times, she is just a girl, looking for a chance to tell that next great story.
http://www.TinaGlasneck.com
An avid reader with a love of traveling, meeting new people and exploring her world, her interest in law, religion, history, fantasy, and dragons, made writing about it an “easy” choice. Give her a castle to enchant her, and tell her a funny story to make her snort with laughter, but please don’t serve her cake with red icing.
Tina takes joy in beautiful architecture, lively cities and world travel. She enjoys creating make-believe worlds where she sometimes resides, and is often thinking and tinkering on her next story. Sometimes she feels like a real life Cinderella, without the ashes or the fairy godmother, and at other times, she is just a girl, looking for a chance to tell that next great story.
http://www.TinaGlasneck.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 22, 2018
IMPORTANT NOTE : I have not read Book 1 or 2 of this series and never will. What happened was that my little self was minding her own business reading a box set anthology of urban fantasy stories called Sigils and Spells and in the middle of that was this random-ass sequel. Now, I paid for it and I hated it, I get to review it even if I have no prior knowledge of the series.
The first thing is why in the seven hells would you put a sequel in an anthology box set? That's the anti-thesis of every marketing trick ever! That's something even Spark: Seven Fantastic First-in-Series Novels didn't do! You get spoiled the first two books, don't understand anything that's happening (if it's original, that is) and have no reason to care about any of these assholes- not that I would've anyway because these characters are flatter than my chest.
Second thing is NOTHING HAPPENS. It opens on Sif having caused the end of the world, and it ends on Sif having caused the end of the world- which, um, is probably the funniest thing ever? Like the first time mustn't been so bad if she can do it a second time lol. It's not a The Well of Ascension kind of deal either, where shit was already bad and then- oops!- it gets even worse, sorry, because Mistborn has incoming threats and there is weight to the characters' actions and decisions- also they do things.
Because ALL THESE CHARACTERS DO IS TALK, and talk, and repeat themselves and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. It's not especially well-written or interesting, it literally, actually, 100% does NOTHING for the plot and it goes on and on to the point I was falling asleep.
Chapter 1 is where Sif ends the world and some biker dude is dead, she just stands there talking while I'm pretty sure the city is being overrun by Dark Elves. She says 'I'm no hero' one time too many and my spirit animal- that she was talking to- finally snaps from this one cliché and stabs her to death.
THE END
Chapters 2-7 have one single role; tell us that Hel is sad her bf is dead- biker dude- then the time-skip happens. Honestly, 2 was more than enough, I actually felt real emotion from it and it really makes you empathize with Hel. But then they ruin it by having her talk to Balder and Seigfrid and Thor for 4 more chapters about shit that we already knew- she's sad and angry and wants her bf back. Then the time-skip happens and I'm just ?_? Why? Why now? You show me shit I already knew or guessed for 4 chapters and then there's a time skip? Couldn't do it earlier or something?
Chapter 8-15 note that the numbers are just guesswork. In this one Sif wakes up from a 5 years sleep, learns that the country she knew was taken over by the Dark Elves, there's a system based on attractiveness going on and there's a steady genocide going on and... she doesn't react at all. Now, later, I learned that she tried to kill herself before all this magical stuff happened- and this is all supposition, but I'd think that if Sif tried to kill herself over normal people shit, she would react pretty goddamned badly when she realized that THIS IS ALL HER FAULT.
But nope! Nothing at all! She just wakes up fine after a coma of 5 years, asks what she missed and immediately jumps into the action- but remember guys, she's not a hero.
I'm not sure I'm succeeding at describing the intensity of my feelings about this, so let me rephrase; I have an OC whose sole personality was forged around what he didn't have. He had to handle SO MUCH SHIT about it he changed his entire world-view to justify why he couldn't do that one thing- to himself.
Then I gave it to him- what was missing. How do you think he reacted? 'I am whole again, now I must go back to my planet'? No! HE HAD A GODDAMNED MELTDOWN. THIS WAS AN IDENTITY-CHANGING MOMENT FOR HIM- I won't go too deep on the details but the point of this is: it shows depth.
Reactions like this are necessary, people. They sell you on the character- the fact that he breaks down instead of having all his issues vanish once that's he's 'fixed' shows that I thought his personality and motivation through. So when Sif wakes up after 5 years to a dystopian America that exists because of her and that she basically has the blood of all the culled on her hands and doesn't react, I can't take anything dramatic seriously after that. Because why is some random guy she knew's death more important than the soldiers and civilians' who died due to result of her actions? Did she even realize this was her fault?
And now for the worst backstory of how the USA were invaded and became a dystopia:
This is just pure stupidity. But my real issue is that this book mention's Trump's wall. So this either happened during his term or a little bit later since the wall is still relevant. And you want to tell me that in a right-dominated Congress, THEY OUTLAWED GUNS???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? AND DURING AN INVASION, TOO????
Nothing much happens after that; we get Sif '''training''' her powers, which is skipping even more time and telling us 'I can't do it'. The author also does the same with the tension between Loki and Sif, telling us that 'there definitely was something in between us after all these weeks'. This is laziness at it's pure core.
Just realized I'm probably putting more effort into this review than the author into this book.
Then she just randomly stumbles onto one of her old friends, he tells her where the others are and he's culled by the Dark Elves- and his death results in one of the worst 'my X is in danger! this triggers my destructive magical powers' moment like IT'S SO FLAT AND EMOTIONLESS.
Sif: Omg it's really you!
Friend: Fuck off Sif you're useless it's been 5 years.
Sif: I'll save you.
Friend: Please don't. Emi is the worst thing ever. Death is deliverance.
Sif: Emi is here? Where?
Friend: You don't really think I'll tell you in front of all these Dark Elves do you?
Sif: Well if you don't the story will end here. Isn't it great that I just saw you right here?
Friend: *thinking about his sweet incoming end* Ok there.
Sif: Cool. Btw I can't actually save you, that makes me so sad.
Friend: *gets shot*
Sif: NOOO THUNDER POWERS ACTIVATE
IT WAS SO BAD
That brought to my attention how little description there is. Sometimes you'll have 'I looked at the boarded window' or a scene set-up, but once it's said it's done. It makes the whole 'dystopia' feel like a jumpscare- you're walking along and then bam! random people being killed. There was literally no pay off to the new system- it was useless.
And here comes the stupidest thing ever! You know that random friend Sif you stumbled onto? Well, he was essential to the plot!
I want to die.
We get these offensively-boring chapters here and there with Thor where it's just him talking about going back to Midgar and having conversations about nothing with Blader. These killed a part of my soul. So Sif goes to her friends and gets a Mjolnir wanna-be from there and after picking up another party member, she unlocks her powers in the easiest way possible.
Also I forgot to say it earlier but Sif's reluctance to becoming a hero was surpassed by her killing versions of herself. She doesn't debate with herself, she just kills herself a couple of times and bam heroine for you. If only issues could be beaten this easily.
Then she fucks Loki, they go get Thor and Hel is finally moving and somehow Thor saying that he always knew Sif would come for him pushes Sif to break up with him and feel betrayed by Loki? I think it's because Thor played hard-to-get before and now having a contrary message from him just makes her snaps but either way it's really stupid- oh no the god of lies, chaos and trickery betrayed me D: THE SHOCK
And it ends on her thinking that freeing the giant snake sleeping under our earth is a good idea, as well as Fenrir, the wolf who'll eat the sun and a demon. Like why have the gods chosen this bitch SHE ENDED THE WORLD TWICE IN ONE BOOK.
The first thing is why in the seven hells would you put a sequel in an anthology box set? That's the anti-thesis of every marketing trick ever! That's something even Spark: Seven Fantastic First-in-Series Novels didn't do! You get spoiled the first two books, don't understand anything that's happening (if it's original, that is) and have no reason to care about any of these assholes- not that I would've anyway because these characters are flatter than my chest.
Second thing is NOTHING HAPPENS. It opens on Sif having caused the end of the world, and it ends on Sif having caused the end of the world- which, um, is probably the funniest thing ever? Like the first time mustn't been so bad if she can do it a second time lol. It's not a The Well of Ascension kind of deal either, where shit was already bad and then- oops!- it gets even worse, sorry, because Mistborn has incoming threats and there is weight to the characters' actions and decisions- also they do things.
Because ALL THESE CHARACTERS DO IS TALK, and talk, and repeat themselves and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. It's not especially well-written or interesting, it literally, actually, 100% does NOTHING for the plot and it goes on and on to the point I was falling asleep.
Chapter 1 is where Sif ends the world and some biker dude is dead, she just stands there talking while I'm pretty sure the city is being overrun by Dark Elves. She says 'I'm no hero' one time too many and my spirit animal- that she was talking to- finally snaps from this one cliché and stabs her to death.
THE END
Chapters 2-7 have one single role; tell us that Hel is sad her bf is dead- biker dude- then the time-skip happens. Honestly, 2 was more than enough, I actually felt real emotion from it and it really makes you empathize with Hel. But then they ruin it by having her talk to Balder and Seigfrid and Thor for 4 more chapters about shit that we already knew- she's sad and angry and wants her bf back. Then the time-skip happens and I'm just ?_? Why? Why now? You show me shit I already knew or guessed for 4 chapters and then there's a time skip? Couldn't do it earlier or something?
Chapter 8-15 note that the numbers are just guesswork. In this one Sif wakes up from a 5 years sleep, learns that the country she knew was taken over by the Dark Elves, there's a system based on attractiveness going on and there's a steady genocide going on and... she doesn't react at all. Now, later, I learned that she tried to kill herself before all this magical stuff happened- and this is all supposition, but I'd think that if Sif tried to kill herself over normal people shit, she would react pretty goddamned badly when she realized that THIS IS ALL HER FAULT.
But nope! Nothing at all! She just wakes up fine after a coma of 5 years, asks what she missed and immediately jumps into the action- but remember guys, she's not a hero.
I'm not sure I'm succeeding at describing the intensity of my feelings about this, so let me rephrase; I have an OC whose sole personality was forged around what he didn't have. He had to handle SO MUCH SHIT about it he changed his entire world-view to justify why he couldn't do that one thing- to himself.
Then I gave it to him- what was missing. How do you think he reacted? 'I am whole again, now I must go back to my planet'? No! HE HAD A GODDAMNED MELTDOWN. THIS WAS AN IDENTITY-CHANGING MOMENT FOR HIM- I won't go too deep on the details but the point of this is: it shows depth.
Reactions like this are necessary, people. They sell you on the character- the fact that he breaks down instead of having all his issues vanish once that's he's 'fixed' shows that I thought his personality and motivation through. So when Sif wakes up after 5 years to a dystopian America that exists because of her and that she basically has the blood of all the culled on her hands and doesn't react, I can't take anything dramatic seriously after that. Because why is some random guy she knew's death more important than the soldiers and civilians' who died due to result of her actions? Did she even realize this was her fault?
And now for the worst backstory of how the USA were invaded and became a dystopia:
"'To be honest, your government wanted the apocalypse so badly that they created it. The local militias that popped up were crushed under the [American] government's power. Many new laws were passed that stripped the citizens of every right, including guns being outlawed, freedom of speech and assembly revoked. This was all done under the guise of protecting the people from themselves.'"
This is just pure stupidity. But my real issue is that this book mention's Trump's wall. So this either happened during his term or a little bit later since the wall is still relevant. And you want to tell me that in a right-dominated Congress, THEY OUTLAWED GUNS???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? AND DURING AN INVASION, TOO????
Nothing much happens after that; we get Sif '''training''' her powers, which is skipping even more time and telling us 'I can't do it'. The author also does the same with the tension between Loki and Sif, telling us that 'there definitely was something in between us after all these weeks'. This is laziness at it's pure core.
Just realized I'm probably putting more effort into this review than the author into this book.
Then she just randomly stumbles onto one of her old friends, he tells her where the others are and he's culled by the Dark Elves- and his death results in one of the worst 'my X is in danger! this triggers my destructive magical powers' moment like IT'S SO FLAT AND EMOTIONLESS.
Sif: Omg it's really you!
Friend: Fuck off Sif you're useless it's been 5 years.
Sif: I'll save you.
Friend: Please don't. Emi is the worst thing ever. Death is deliverance.
Sif: Emi is here? Where?
Friend: You don't really think I'll tell you in front of all these Dark Elves do you?
Sif: Well if you don't the story will end here. Isn't it great that I just saw you right here?
Friend: *thinking about his sweet incoming end* Ok there.
Sif: Cool. Btw I can't actually save you, that makes me so sad.
Friend: *gets shot*
Sif: NOOO THUNDER POWERS ACTIVATE
IT WAS SO BAD
That brought to my attention how little description there is. Sometimes you'll have 'I looked at the boarded window' or a scene set-up, but once it's said it's done. It makes the whole 'dystopia' feel like a jumpscare- you're walking along and then bam! random people being killed. There was literally no pay off to the new system- it was useless.
And here comes the stupidest thing ever! You know that random friend Sif you stumbled onto? Well, he was essential to the plot!
I want to die.
We get these offensively-boring chapters here and there with Thor where it's just him talking about going back to Midgar and having conversations about nothing with Blader. These killed a part of my soul. So Sif goes to her friends and gets a Mjolnir wanna-be from there and after picking up another party member, she unlocks her powers in the easiest way possible.
Also I forgot to say it earlier but Sif's reluctance to becoming a hero was surpassed by her killing versions of herself. She doesn't debate with herself, she just kills herself a couple of times and bam heroine for you. If only issues could be beaten this easily.
Then she fucks Loki, they go get Thor and Hel is finally moving and somehow Thor saying that he always knew Sif would come for him pushes Sif to break up with him and feel betrayed by Loki? I think it's because Thor played hard-to-get before and now having a contrary message from him just makes her snaps but either way it's really stupid- oh no the god of lies, chaos and trickery betrayed me D: THE SHOCK
And it ends on her thinking that freeing the giant snake sleeping under our earth is a good idea, as well as Fenrir, the wolf who'll eat the sun and a demon. Like why have the gods chosen this bitch SHE ENDED THE WORLD TWICE IN ONE BOOK.
July 13, 2018
Five years have passed since the death of Harley. Sif has been in a "coma" and the world has changed. The dark elves have invaded and begun the culling of humanity. Lady Hel mourns the loss of her beloved. But betrayal comes in all forms. He is not in her realm. He was taken from her, once again. The gods, even now, conspire and work against her. Thor has been taken to Lady Hel's realm, but he refuses to learn the simple lesson that she demands of him. Sif begins her training to become the champion of Midgard, because if not her then who will step up to defeat those who wish to destroy them all. Loki is helping Sif, but is there more to it on his part?
This story is a fantastic continuation of the Hell Chronicles. We are taken deeper as Lady Hel mourns the loss of Harley. But she is not idle in her mourning. She takes the power that is hers and she begins to act. I have to admit that once again I find myself disdainful of Odin and the other gods. They truly are heartless when it comes to Lady Hel. She simply wants what is truly hers. As much as I like Thor I find myself disliking him. LOL! He acts like learning some humility, some regret is beneath him. He took something that he shouldn't have touched! He can show some remorse! I like that Sif takes charge and works to become more. She's growing as a character, just like Lady Hel. I applaud the author for having these two female characters begin to come into their own.
What I didn't like about this book is how quickly and easily Sif is swayed. She is so easily swept from being on one side to the next. She too quickly believes and throws away because of what someone says. I wanted her to be stronger than that. To not be so easily swayed because someone says "Oh I sent them." She's a grown woman! She has a brain! Make your own decisions!
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next book and being able to follow it fully. Big things are coming and I'm excited to learn how it all plays out. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is a fantastic continuation of the Hell Chronicles. We are taken deeper as Lady Hel mourns the loss of Harley. But she is not idle in her mourning. She takes the power that is hers and she begins to act. I have to admit that once again I find myself disdainful of Odin and the other gods. They truly are heartless when it comes to Lady Hel. She simply wants what is truly hers. As much as I like Thor I find myself disliking him. LOL! He acts like learning some humility, some regret is beneath him. He took something that he shouldn't have touched! He can show some remorse! I like that Sif takes charge and works to become more. She's growing as a character, just like Lady Hel. I applaud the author for having these two female characters begin to come into their own.
What I didn't like about this book is how quickly and easily Sif is swayed. She is so easily swept from being on one side to the next. She too quickly believes and throws away because of what someone says. I wanted her to be stronger than that. To not be so easily swayed because someone says "Oh I sent them." She's a grown woman! She has a brain! Make your own decisions!
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next book and being able to follow it fully. Big things are coming and I'm excited to learn how it all plays out. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 17, 2018
Sif is struggling in her battle to overcome the disaster that has befallen her friends and earth.
During this time Sif is mearly a pawn in some twisted game between Lady Hel and Odin.
It is a very complex plot and you really need to pay attention to details as it becomes quite
complicated.
I had always favoured Thor, but now after reading this book I tend to like Loki more and feel
that he was misjudged along with his children. Lady Hel does make good points about being
judged.
I feed that Sif will be forever changed through her experiences.
Deep down I do hope that she stays true to herself and not settle.
On to the next installment - Hellbound.
During this time Sif is mearly a pawn in some twisted game between Lady Hel and Odin.
It is a very complex plot and you really need to pay attention to details as it becomes quite
complicated.
I had always favoured Thor, but now after reading this book I tend to like Loki more and feel
that he was misjudged along with his children. Lady Hel does make good points about being
judged.
I feed that Sif will be forever changed through her experiences.
Deep down I do hope that she stays true to herself and not settle.
On to the next installment - Hellbound.
July 17, 2018
Oh this is such and amazing twist on Odin and Thor's stories. I loved Sif and her strength that she provides throughout the story. This book has so many twists and turns in it that it will keep you on the edge of your seat. The writing is superb and the flow of the story is amazing. The characters are well developed and how the interact with each is so very well thought out. There is action, adventure, suspense, mystery, and of course an amazing cast of characters. This will not disappoint.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2019
A time of courage and choices
Sif awakes 5 yrs later to a vastly different world than the one from the previous book.
Thor has been taken to Helhiem.
And Loki is with Sif - guiding and training and everything else that Loki does.
Many choices are put before Sif - each taking her down a vastly different path. Can she be courageous enough to be the Hero Midgard needs? And why does Loki have to be so appealing. Will she follow her heart or her head. The answer may surprise you because all is not necessarily as it seems.
Sif awakes 5 yrs later to a vastly different world than the one from the previous book.
Thor has been taken to Helhiem.
And Loki is with Sif - guiding and training and everything else that Loki does.
Many choices are put before Sif - each taking her down a vastly different path. Can she be courageous enough to be the Hero Midgard needs? And why does Loki have to be so appealing. Will she follow her heart or her head. The answer may surprise you because all is not necessarily as it seems.
June 20, 2018
I got a copy of this for a fair and honest review. This is the third book in the series. This a very complex plot for this and the details are very import. Sif is trying to deal with the issue with the Dark Elves, there is the matter between Lady Hel and Thor. It is a book of pain, betrayal, fear, returns, thrones, broken bridges that need mending, and adventure with a twist. What to do know all the details grab a copy and read away.
August 1, 2018
Third book in the series and my favorite. This one will have you confused on who to root for. Loki, Thor, Odin, Hel or who knows who will show up. But Midgard needs a hero and Sif may be the only one. Lots of action and adventure and more to come in book four. I just hope there will be some happily ever afters.
August 31, 2019
Well that took a twist I didn’t expect. Actually, it took a whole bunch of them. Everything in this future world is slightly upside down from what Sif expects it to be and nothing and no one are quite what they appear. Betrayal and double-crosses abound in this story, and now I have no idea what’s coming next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
August 10, 2019
story continues in high pace! Everything is happening so fast!
The plot is interesting and full of surprises. Everyone is gray - you can't take anyone for granted.
I was captivated by Helltown and I need more!
The plot is interesting and full of surprises. Everyone is gray - you can't take anyone for granted.
I was captivated by Helltown and I need more!
May 1, 2019
The story continues for Hel and this time Sif is main person of the storyline. There is plenty of action and surprises to keep you reading and shows you that you just can not take anyone for granted. I read this book in the Sigils and Spells
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews