Lord of the White Hell: Book One

I would say a 3.5 but I rounded it up because it was an interesting read.

I like this type of story. A kind of school boys in love story. So that made me very interested in the book once I started. I liked Kiram. He's a sweetie and I commend him for dealing with such backward people all the time and not completely imploding, especially when he has none of his people around. Nestor is also a sweetie and I want to pet him. I want them to be best pals forever even when Nestor realizes his best bro is gay as a freaking glitter pegicorn.

It was nice to read about Kiram making friends and things but somehow I felt that having people stop treating him like crap because of Javier was a bit of a cop out and made things a bit too sunshine and show more rainbows for me. There would definitely be way more racial conflict. I'm not saying he wouldn't find friends. He definitely would. But there would be a whole lot more struggling with being in a hostile place. And he comes out unscathed walking around in the city alone at night and doesn't even seem terrified about it. If everyone hates his people as much as they're supposed to, he should unfortunately be terrified of walking home alone for what seems like hours in a hostile city, especially if these people are as barbaric against his people as Hale has hinted at so many times. I want Kiram to be happy and sunshine but happy and sunshine is not realistic when you are the only brown person in a sea of whites that think you are the devil.

Also, why does Kiram seems so negligent of his amazing project that got him into the academy in the first place? It's used once as a plot point when he delves into it because he's avoiding Javier but I never actually feel like he's genuinely interested in it. Even if he suddenly becomes obsessed with Javier and ignores it surely someone would notice and some point and point it out to him. And he's not going to be too busy with schoolwork because he loves that stuff and would definitely find time. show less

Lord of the White Hell is one of those stories that you end up cursing yourself for waiting so long to read, and utterly sad now that it’s finished! Before beginning, I read a review that compared this favorably to Mercedes Lackey’s “Last Herald Mage.” And I do see a similarity in tone and feel, and some minor details. However, this is a wholly original fantasy with well-drawn characters and rich world-building that stands on its own. Absolutely superb.

Kiram is the first full-blooded Haldiim to be admitted to the prestigious Sagrada Academy. There he faces prejudice due to his heritage, until Duke Javier Tornesal brings him under his protection. But that protection is a double-edged sword as Javier himself is regarded with fear show more and hate due to his power over the white hell. Javier is hunted by a powerful curse, bent on bringing that hell under the control of an unknown enemy. The two men grow to be close allies, but will it be enough?

Though book one spends a lot of time introducing the fantasy world, and the character’s backgrounds, it was cleverly woven into Kiram’s experiences at the school and his growing understanding of both Javier and the white hell, rather than being just an info-dump. Hale’s writing has a lot of emotional depth, and strong description, so that I quickly came to care about both Kiram and Javier, but also their circle of friends, the Hellions. This is the first half of the story, so it does end on something of a cliffhanger – however, it left me anticipating the next book (indeed, I started it immediately) rather than feeling cheated. I highly recommend Lord of the White Hell, and also that readers have both volumes in hand, as once this one ends you’ll want to jump right into the finale! show less

The two parts of this book were a fascinating read! I finished one in one evening and the other in the very next evening (of course, I was supposed to be getting some major work done, but oh, well.....).

First of all, I fell right into the world that the author created. It was exotic and different but the details she had made it feel quite real, both the cultures of the Cadeleonions and the Haldiim.

Then I fell in love with her characters. Kiri, Nestor, Elezar, Javier, the Scholar brothers, even Kiri's and Nestor's families were flesh and blood, breathing people. I could laugh at them, feel their pain, their ear, and their longing.

I also enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and her explanations of their types of magic were show more masterful! I could feel the wonder and pain of the rituals, and thoroughly relished the descriptions. The sex, while not overly graphic, was well done, erotic and sweet at the same time. I'm getting to read her 'Rifter' series, and am looking forward to being emotionally ravished. show less

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 show more 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/2010/04/26/lord-of-the-white-hell-book-1-by-ginn-ha... show less

*non-spoiler review of both books*

Lord of The White Hell was recommended to me after I finished Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat and desperately craved something similar.


It is a gorgeous fantasy romance created in the best tradition of anime stories - a remote boarding school, a haughty dark young man, whom everyone is afraid of, a scholarly newcomer who steals his heart... It's a softer, more romantic story, than Captive Prince, and I loved it.


Kiram Kir-Zaki is the first Haldiim in centuries invited to Sagrada Academy, a Cadeleonian school for noble boys. He is a talented inventor, determined to make a name for himself and break stereotypes associated with Haldiim. His family is famous for making sweets, which is why they can afford to show more indulge him and pay for his tuition.


A word about Haldiim society, which I found fascinating. Parts of it must have been taken from early Jewish/Arabic conclaves which is why Haldiim wear colourful clothes, wash often and eat a lot of spicy, flavoursome food. But then, this is a society ruled by women. Women own businesses, and it's men who wear makeup and bridal finery when they are married into someone's family. They are indulged and pampered. There are even bookshops and other places which men can not enter. It's a very liberal society in matters or heart - you can marry whoever you want no matter the gender, but of course your mother will try to arrange a marriage beneficial for her house.


On the contrast, Cadeleonian society is a prototype of Spanish society of maybe 17th century? Very religious, very strict. Women are not allowed into schools, they can not own properties, any non woman-man relationship is a great sin and punished by imprisonment and often death.


Back to Sagrada Academy. Because Kiram is considered a heathen, he is roomed with cursed by the White Hell Javier Tornesal, the Duke of Ruoma and eventually taken under Javier's wing when two of them get to know each other.


Javier is a delicious, delicious character. He carries a great power within him and plays a certain role in the school, a role of never-do-well Hellion, good for brawling and whoring and whatever else young aristocrats are expected to do. On the other hand, when he isn't in the public eye, he is a clever, studious boy desperately trying to find a cure for his family curse. A curse which already took his father's life and made his cousin insane.


Kiram more and more enamoured with his roommate, joins him in his search for cure and opens a whole can of worms, when that curse turns its eye on him as well.


The two books span between Sagrada Academy and Kiram's home, where two starcrossed lovers try to stop the curse, save Javier's family and determine their own path which would break all the norms of both of their societies.


I find these books simply adorable. The first chapter or two is a bit clumsy, but it gets better and better, and the ending is absolutely fabulous. Recommended to the fans of Grace Draven, C.S. Pacat, Sherry Thomas and Maria V. Snyder. It's young adult m/m fantasy romance. show less

A very well written coming of age story set in an interesting magical world.
Book one of The lord of the white hell is an engrossing and original tale. The story is set in a boardingschool - the sagrada academy - in a world where magic and religion is a great deal more present than this. The story takes place in an early industrial monarchist world, and is the coming of age story of a young outsider at the academy - by virtue of being a Haldiim in a Caledeonian country, having different religious beliefs and a different cultural background as well as arriving at the school a year late - and the romance that slowly blossoms between him and his roommate, the Caledeonian duke Javier, who is the eponymious lord of the white hell.
I really show more enjoyed the story, as much for the worldbuilding, the plot and the characters, as for the very well written romance. show less

ARGHGODDAMNEDPOXYCLIFFHANGER

I really recommend buying book two along with book one if you want to avoid the above reaction.

Otherwise Lord of White Hell is everything fantasy should be. Deep mysteries. Daring duels. Crazy religion. Star crossed lovers. Etc.