Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

Hall of Smoke by H.M. Long

6 reviews

walkie_check's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Self harm

Moderate: Slavery, Toxic relationship, Blood, Racism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Self harm, War, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Violence

Minor: Colonisation, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry

akatrinaschu's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Trafficking, War, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence

anntharai's review against another edition

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, War, Violence, Trafficking, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Torture, Sexism, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault

The self harm tag refers to ritual bloodletting, but self administered and could well be upsetting for some readers.

darkefyres's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Religious bigotry and Grief

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexism

ka_ke's review against another edition

As intriguing as the story is, I found it too slow for my ADHD to truly enjoy and immerse myself in it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Violence

samusc's review

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.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Animal death, Slavery, Grief, and Gore

Moderate: Pregnancy and Religious bigotry