I just finished reading Ginn Hales’s The Lord of the White Hell last night, and I already feel confident proclaiming that it’s one of my new favorite gay fantasy series of all time.
If you’re a fan of both fantasy and romance genres and often have a difficult time choosing which one to read next (because so very rarely does one novel do a good job at balancing both in a single story), then I definitely recommend that you check out not just The Lord of the White Hell but also all of Ginn Hale’s novels existing in the Cadeleonian universe.
Lord of the White Hell Synopsis
From the Back Cover:
” Kiram Kir-Zaki may be considered a mechanist prodigy among his own people, but when he becomes the first Haldiim ever admitted to the prestigious Sagrada Academy, he is thrown into a world where power, superstition and swordplay outweigh even the most scholarly of achievements.
But when the intimidation from his Cadeleonian classmates turns bloody, Kiram unexpectedly finds himself befriended by Javier Tornesal, the leader of a group of cardsharps, duelists and lotharios who call themselves Hellions.
However Javier is a dangerous friend to have. Wielder of the White Hell and sole heir of a Dukedom, he is surrounded by rumors of forbidden seductions, murder, and damnation. His enemies are many and any one of his secrets could not only end his life but Kiram’s as well.”
Reasons to Love Lord of the White Hell Gay Fantasy Novel by Ginn Hale
The Worldbuilding – Welcome to Cadeleon
Too often m/m fantasy authors spend so much time so thoroughly developing character relationships and the intricate romances we so adore that they forget to flesh out the worlds in which those beloved characters actually live and exist. This isn’t the case with Hale’s writing at all. Lord of the White Hell‘s universe is so fully realized that I found myself instantly transported to Kiram’s side, experiencing this new city together with him just as he experienced it.
The Characters
You will fall in love with the characters in this book…and not just the two main leads–even the supporting cast is full of such lovable characters that you’ll want to keep reading and learning more and more about. Fedeles is one of my absolute favorites, and I find myself stupidly grinning almost as much as he does for no reason at all. I’m looking forward to finding out what his true personality is like when the curse is resolved, which I’m certain is going to happen in book 2!
The Curse
There’s a deadly curse on the royal Tornesal family, but it’s not quite what it seems. I won’t say more. Just read this book.
The Swordfighting
What’s a good fantasy novel without swordfighting. There’s even an annual tournament, and its festivities and fights were some of my favorite scenes to read in the whole book.
The Slow-Burn Romance
The tension. The longing. The conflicts. The angst. Everything is here, and it’s all so well-done. I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot, but if you’re a fan of slow-burn romances in m/m fantasy, then this book is definitely one you’re going to love.
The Forbidden Romance
Okay, I know I just said that I wouldn’t say more about the romance, but the forbidden romance genre is one of my all-time favorite romance tropes in fantasy books. Kiram and Javier are forced to keep their relationship a secret because a discovery would mean certain death for Kiram (and ruin for Javier) due to Cadeleonian cultural beliefs that strikingly contrast with the Haldiim beliefs under which Kiram was raised. I loved reading the scenes where the couple stole secret touches and caresses from each other when in the dark or when no one else could see in public places. Even just a swift, barely-there brush of fingers against fingers when standing next to each other is enough to make your heart flutter when the writing is done well. And I lived for those moments.
The Sass
Lord of the White Hell is full of so much witty banter, fun flirting, playful fighting, and sexual innuendos that I was constantly grinning whenever our two heroes were speaking to one another or engaging in any sort of interaction.
Here’s an example of just one such interaction I really loved:
“Filthy,” Javier replied with a salacious smile. “You’d be shocked to see the things you do in my dreams.”
“How can you just admit that?” Kiram asked. “Don’t you ever get flustered or embarrassed?”
“Why would I be embarrassed? You’re the one who can’t keep his clothes on in my dreams.”
Read Next: 10 Best Lord of the White Hell Quotes
The Magic
The magic in Ginn Hale’s book, though often subtle and rarely the focal point of the story, is part of a unique system that’s not quite like what you experience in other fantasy novels. The White Hell exists as a sort of portal magic that can be both corrupt or pure, destructive or healing. The true nature and capabilities of this magic is left mostly a mystery for most of the first novel, but I got the impression that it will play a much more dominant role in the second novel. Combined with the Bahiim magic that we get to witness after meeting Kiram’s uncles, the whole system has me excited to see what’s in store for the follow-up book. There’s going to be so much more magic, and I can’t wait!
Originally Published 2020/07/30 at 3:48 am
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