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iartola's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Just a bit too slow for me - also the accents of the narrator clashed with my mental image of the setting
Willing to try again with the hard copy
Finally finished in October - good twist I didn’t see coming with amazing foreshadowing now that I’ve reflected.
10/10 for ending the first book of a series in a standalone way
Willing to try again with the hard copy
Finally finished in October - good twist I didn’t see coming with amazing foreshadowing now that I’ve reflected.
10/10 for ending the first book of a series in a standalone way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and War
kennyleigh1999's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So fast-paced, I never wanted to put it down. HM Long weaves a tale of love, loss, and betrayal that will keep you on your toes from start to finish.
We come along on Hessa’s journey as she learns the inner workings of the gods and what makes them so powerful. As she learns more about her own goddess, Eang, she begins to question the goddess’ power.
Ultimately, Hessa will have to decide whether to trust in Eang’s power, or submit to something far more powerful.
We come along on Hessa’s journey as she learns the inner workings of the gods and what makes them so powerful. As she learns more about her own goddess, Eang, she begins to question the goddess’ power.
Ultimately, Hessa will have to decide whether to trust in Eang’s power, or submit to something far more powerful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
teri_b's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Found the world intriguing and am looking forward to read more about it.
The discussion around beliefs and religions is overall well done.
However, the main character is too steeped into remorse and feeling guilty, specially at the beginning and her obsessing about this that and the other without any physical basis is, well, what it is, and I simply do not think that characters feeling guilt ever makes a good story and luckily, the character eventually breaks away from it.
The discussion around beliefs and religions is overall well done.
However, the main character is too steeped into remorse and feeling guilty, specially at the beginning and her obsessing about this that and the other without any physical basis is, well, what it is, and I simply do not think that characters feeling guilt ever makes a good story and luckily, the character eventually breaks away from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Murder
anntharai's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
From start to finish I was hooked. I love the vividness of the characters and the harrowing plot. I feel the rage and the grief, the writing is that good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
The self harm tag refers to ritual bloodletting, but self administered and could well be upsetting for some readers.forthesanityof1's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely gorgeous debut! Loved every second of it. The premise was so interesting and, for once, Booktok did not let me down. Magic and gods and traitors and this wonderful thread woven through tight, fast-paced events and narration. I loved Hessa and her conflicts within herself and with others. She is a divine warrior but so painfully human in so many ways, it was delightful to see her journey. I loved the world building and the way the gods were introduced as they came. Some moments needed a bit more clarity, but nothing major and nothing that took me out of the story. I loved this idea of a faith that one loves and relishes in through community and power and love becoming a collar/shackle (literally) and how one may deal with that. Hessa's struggle with her faith and her ultimate rejection of it in the face of the truth was so perfectly done. I thought, if anything, the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked one scene immediately post-epic climax to allow this real idea of change to drop from this lofty ideal into a tangible thing, but that's being nitpicky. I can't wait to see where this author takes it next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Self harm warning is only for instances of the characters hurting themselves for sacrifice (slitting their palms, pricking their fingers, etc). Animal death is only for moments where an animal is sacrificed to a god.samusc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is fantasy at its absolute best.
H. M. Long, in her debut, has perfected the balance between writing intense battle scenes and tender human moments (braiding hair).
The scene at Oulden’s feet was phenomenal and the moment that solidified this as a 5 star read to me.
Long has created distinct pantheons of Gods that are warring with each other, while the people that worship them are also in combat. The magic system is unique and immersive. The Gods are all intimidating, and Hessa’s interactions with them kept me reading on into the night.
Throughout Hessa’s journey, she encountered many friends and foes, while navigating a brutal natural environment, as well as the trauma of losing most of her kin. These characters are multifaceted, and Ogam has one of the best character arcs I’ve seen in recent fantasy.
The conclusion is incredibly satisfying, and not rushed, the last act taking up I think 80/400 pages.
I love the tagline of Hall of Smoke, To Err is Divine, and how this epic is built upon the impact of the decisions we make.
I’d recommend this to longtime fans and newcomers of fantasy alike, and especially fellow AC: Valhalla players.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Pregnancy
willowy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long
Length: 432 Pages
Genres: High Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Length: 432 Pages
Genres: High Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
"'Eang, Eang,' I murmured, willing my words to be heard across distance, time and division between worlds. 'The Brave, the Vengeful, the Swift and the Watchful...'"
Trigger Warnings in this book for Gore and Violence
I have only one question: WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT HALL OF SMOKE!
H.M. Long's Hall of Smoke was on my list of Most Anticipated Books of 2021 and I can report with happiness that it greatly exceeded my expectations. It was tense, moving, exciting, evocative and most importantly, so much fun.
Hessa is an Eangi, a group of specially chosen Priests and Priestesses of the Goddess of War, Eang. She burns with magical fire, a power that makes her stronger and faster, heals minor wounds, and on occasion, boils your enemy's eyes in their head. The titular Hall of Smoke, which is not only a temple to their Goddess but the place where they eat and sleep together, is all she's known since she was a child. When the book opens, she's been banished from her people and has taken the "Climb of Atonement" for failing to carry out an order given to her from Eang herself. She hopes that she will be forgiven, but if she's not, it could mean ostracization...or death. Her fears are put to the side when she hears the tell-tale sound of the war horn from her village, and her life is turned dramatically upside down. She is thrust into a war between her people, the Algatt, the eclipsing empire of Arpa, and the Divine.
Soon, she realizes that everyone has secrets, including the Gods, only theirs are much more dangerous.
I devoured this book. Hessa is one of my new favorite heroines and I adored her strength, her wits, and that fiery personality. The worldbuilding was absolutely incredible, and for someone who has been obsessed with mythology since I was very young, it was as addictive as candy. Even though Hall of Smoke clocks in at 432 pages, I wished it was even longer just so I could spend more time in the world of Eang and Hessa and Omaskat and Nisien.
Now I'm addicted and the only thing I can think about is that a sequel is coming 2022!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence