Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 (The Cadeleonian Series, #1) in A Shot of Ginn

Jul 02, 2010 Josh rated it it was amazing

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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Apr 11, 2010 Sarah rated it it was amazing

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 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 of Cadeleon society, espeically as he is Haldiim. He finds it hard to fit in with the social mores, so very different from his own less ridged culture, but begins to make friends with some help from Javier an upperclassman and heir to the Dukedom of Rauma. Kiram begins to feel a burgeoning attraction towards his arrogant roommate and while homosexuality is an accepted part of Haldiim culture it is expressly forbidden in Cadeleon. Underlying this more human drama is the story of Javier and a strange and terrifying magical inheritance that threatens not only himself, but also his friends and Kiram.

Rich world building and storytelling is only part of this novels charm. I initially felt that the relationship between the two main characters would unfold down fairly standard lines, exploring familiar tropes. But the author did anything but, and the relationship between Kiram and Javier develops with surprising twists, turns and had great depth to it. The tension between the two is beautifully created and they’re two characters you’ll find yourself totally wrapped up in. Brilliant.

This book felt so wonderfully original, engaging and clever, I just loved it. I cannot wait for the next installment in this remarkable tale and an not really sure I can wait for September!

You can pre order both books at the Blind Eye Books website and if you get in before June 15th there are some great discounts.
5 Star Plus Read.

http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2010/04/...
First read April 11th 2010.
Re read March 2015. ...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: rainbow-gay, glbt, fantasy

I loved it, really. I must confess I wasn’t sure I would like it. The school theme seemed too Harry-Potterish and lately I prefer older protagonists, but this love story was just… lovely! How many times have I said that?

The story is based upon characters with different backgrounds falling in love in a world that frowns upon their relationship. Well, it’s a world that frowns upon everything, really. So, Kiram is the first student of the Haldiim to be admitted into the prestigious Sagrada Academy, I loved it, really. I must confess I wasn’t sure I would like it. The school theme seemed too Harry-Potterish and lately I prefer older protagonists, but this love story was just… lovely! How many times have I said that?

The story is based upon characters with different backgrounds falling in love in a world that frowns upon their relationship. Well, it’s a world that frowns upon everything, really. So, Kiram is the first student of the Haldiim to be admitted into the prestigious Sagrada Academy, an institution of the ruling Cadelonian people. The Haldiim are a more sensual and less religious people and Kiram is regarded with a bit of malice and distrust. His very practical nature makes him the ideal guy to share the rooms of Javier, the Duke of Rauma, an older boy whose family is cursed. Javier can open the White Hell and very few people want to be near him in case the White Hell spreads out and engulfs them.

There’s a clear attraction between Kiram and Javier, and the teasing is long and delicious. Javier is a bit hot and cold with Kiram: he doesn’t even know which word to use to define a man who loves another man. His social standing, his religious upbringing, his curse prevents him to openly acknowledge his feelings for Kiram. They are beginning to love each other, maybe they don’t even know how to name what they are feeling, but a future together looks grim, and maybe impossible.

The story is a bit dark, there are elements of violence, superstition, torture, but they’re not on the page. We hear of them throughout the book, that was easy to read and entertaining and light, and I mean this in the best possible way. This is the first part of the story and it ends on a gloomy note that makes you want to read the second part at once, to find out what happens to our heroes and what’s the curse that is haunting Javier. You also want to know what happens to the secondary characters: the boy-child Fedeles with his moments of dreary clearness amidst his near folly; Nestor, the boy who first befriends and Kiram and is dealing with his first love; Elezar, Javier’s friend, who seems to secretly pine for him. So, buy the second part at once.

This is not a story that will make you bite your nails and tear your hair, but it makes you really care for its characters and it’s gentle, it’s the best word I can find to describe it. But not sappy, no, no, no.
...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Calathea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, m-m, adventure-action-journey

4.5*

I don't know why I waited so long, I'm so glad I read this book! :))
It's all there: interesting, detailed world with its own nations and history, gripping story, lovable characters, a bad guy behind the scenes, fabulous writing and storytelling, just everything I want in a fantasy novel.

Why "only" 4.5 stars? IMHO the cut off of part one came in strange place. Gladly, I've already purchased part two and can read on. :) ...more

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Aug 24, 2010 orannia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, fantasy, 2014

Re-read November 2014. Still a four and three-quarter star read!

Four and three-quarter stars. This was a brilliant book - fascinating world-building that was revealed slowly and surely, interesting characters with a lot of layers, which I love. The only negative I have (and the reason for the one-quarter star deduction) is the editing. It's such a shame as a simple read-through would have picked the majority of errors (mainly missing words or transposed letters) up. I hope the errors will be pic ...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Staci Carey rated it it was amazing

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

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Sep 27, 2011 Christopher rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ♥favorites♥, ☼steamy☼, funny, have-it, third-person-pov, homosexual-romance, fantasy, sex, my-jaw-dropped, made-me-smile

I could not put this book down. Such an interesting world with distinguished customs and themes of religion.
I love the description and prose. It conveys the story, actions, and characters really well. I love the main character, Kiram, and can really relate to him. The other characters are also well noted; Nestor is easy to love, Atreau and Elezar grew on me, I hate Ignacio but you're supposed to hate him, I wish there was more of Blasio, and Javier is arrogantly sexy. I particularly find Fedele ...more

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Jun 17, 2012 ttg rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, favorites, reviews, steampunk

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 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. ...more

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