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The Cadeleonian Series
Champion of the Scarlet Wolf, Book One
Five years after abandoning the Sagrada Acedemy, Elezar Grunito has become infamous in the sanctified circles of noble dueling rings for his brutal temper and lethal blade. Men and women of all ranks gather to cheer and jeer, none of them knowing Elezar’s true purpose. But a violent death outside the ring marks Elezar as a wanted man and sends him into hiding in the far northern wilds of Labara.
There, creatures of myth and witchcraft—long since driven from Cadeleon—lurk in dark woods and prowl the winding streets. Soldiers and priests alike fear the return of witch-queens and even demons. Elezar soon learns that magic takes many forms, some too alluring to resist, others too terrible to endure. But just as he begins to find his place in this strange new country, the past he left behind along with his school days returns to challenge him once again.
There, creatures of myth and witchcraft—long since driven from Cadeleon—lurk in dark woods and prowl the winding streets. Soldiers and priests alike fear the return of witch-queens and even demons. Elezar soon learns that magic takes many forms, some too alluring to resist, others too terrible to endure. But just as he begins to find his place in this strange new country, the past he left behind along with his school days returns to challenge him once again.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2014
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1,662 people want to read
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November 10, 2015
Oh yeah, I really enjoy the way Ginn Hale does fantasy <3
Like the first two books in this world, Book 1 and Book 2, this is again really one story, cut into two parts, so this review will be for both together. You cannot read just Book 1 and stop. And you won't want to, because also like the first pair, this is a wonderful, imaginative, action-filled story with two great main characters. You could possibly read this as a stand-alone, but it will be a much richer read if you have read "White Hell" first, and have an idea of the secondary characters' past roles and relationships to each other.
Elezar is a lonely man. He was part of the tight-knit circle of young men who survived the crisis at the Sagrada Acedemy. That group split apart, splintered by flight and exile, by jealousy and magic. Elezar has spent his years since then dueling, for reasons good and less-good, and hiding his true self deep inside. His one remaining close friend has been Atreau, whose excesses of women and wine and the wrong beds end up driving them both into exile.
They are sent to the magical, northern country of Labara, for their safety and as eyes and ears for Fedeles back home. The situation in Labara turns out to be more complex than Elezar is prepared for, as magic, politics, money, religion, and the Old Gods are all driving events, and men and women, forward.
Elezar's self-concept and all his plans and expectations are further overset when he meets Skellan. Of course, he doesn't realize it at first, since he meets the young witch while Skellen is wearing the form of a red hound. Elezar's fundamental kindness leads him to protect the abused animal. Finding out that the dog he thought he was caring for is really a willful, brilliant, and uncultured young man with the most powerful magic in the city is a shock. Admitting anything beyond a simple willingness to protect Skellen from harm will be a slow surrender.
Skellen's life has been hard, from his childhood as a foundling in the company of witches, to his teens as a street urchin and secret witch himself. He saw the powerful but capricious foster-mother who sheltered him destroyed by the current ruler of the city. Since then, his long ambition has been to challenge and throw down that man. But in the moment he's ready to do so, a far more virulent magical force strikes first. Suddenly his ambition is changed, from simply taking the man's place as the most powerful witch in the city, to hoping the city and all his people can survive the onslaught of new magic.
Elezar is a puzzle to Skellen. He shelters Skellen's hound form, and has a core of kindness under his forbidding bulk and fighter's quick blade. But he clearly has secrets of his own, and while Skellen is happy to admit being attracted to the big man, Elezar comes from a land where attraction to another man is an abomination. Neither Skellen's route to power nor the route to true love will run in the least bit smoothly.
But then neither will the route to survival. Terrible forces are gathering, and Skellen's role, and his powers, are much less simple than he imagines.
It was also fun to see important characters from the first book show up and play an extended role. Javier and especially Kiram are a bit older, a bit more battered, but quintessentially themselves, and they add a lot to the richness of the story. New characters, like the troll, and a witch with rat-familiars, are only a few of the other unforgettable people who move through this new tapestry of magic, adventure, and slow, uncertain but inexorable love.
If you enjoy epic fantasy with your M/M, this series is for you. Do start with the first of the four books, and enjoy the ride.
Like the first two books in this world, Book 1 and Book 2, this is again really one story, cut into two parts, so this review will be for both together. You cannot read just Book 1 and stop. And you won't want to, because also like the first pair, this is a wonderful, imaginative, action-filled story with two great main characters. You could possibly read this as a stand-alone, but it will be a much richer read if you have read "White Hell" first, and have an idea of the secondary characters' past roles and relationships to each other.
Elezar is a lonely man. He was part of the tight-knit circle of young men who survived the crisis at the Sagrada Acedemy. That group split apart, splintered by flight and exile, by jealousy and magic. Elezar has spent his years since then dueling, for reasons good and less-good, and hiding his true self deep inside. His one remaining close friend has been Atreau, whose excesses of women and wine and the wrong beds end up driving them both into exile.
They are sent to the magical, northern country of Labara, for their safety and as eyes and ears for Fedeles back home. The situation in Labara turns out to be more complex than Elezar is prepared for, as magic, politics, money, religion, and the Old Gods are all driving events, and men and women, forward.
Elezar's self-concept and all his plans and expectations are further overset when he meets Skellan. Of course, he doesn't realize it at first, since he meets the young witch while Skellen is wearing the form of a red hound. Elezar's fundamental kindness leads him to protect the abused animal. Finding out that the dog he thought he was caring for is really a willful, brilliant, and uncultured young man with the most powerful magic in the city is a shock. Admitting anything beyond a simple willingness to protect Skellen from harm will be a slow surrender.
Skellen's life has been hard, from his childhood as a foundling in the company of witches, to his teens as a street urchin and secret witch himself. He saw the powerful but capricious foster-mother who sheltered him destroyed by the current ruler of the city. Since then, his long ambition has been to challenge and throw down that man. But in the moment he's ready to do so, a far more virulent magical force strikes first. Suddenly his ambition is changed, from simply taking the man's place as the most powerful witch in the city, to hoping the city and all his people can survive the onslaught of new magic.
Elezar is a puzzle to Skellen. He shelters Skellen's hound form, and has a core of kindness under his forbidding bulk and fighter's quick blade. But he clearly has secrets of his own, and while Skellen is happy to admit being attracted to the big man, Elezar comes from a land where attraction to another man is an abomination. Neither Skellen's route to power nor the route to true love will run in the least bit smoothly.
But then neither will the route to survival. Terrible forces are gathering, and Skellen's role, and his powers, are much less simple than he imagines.
It was also fun to see important characters from the first book show up and play an extended role. Javier and especially Kiram are a bit older, a bit more battered, but quintessentially themselves, and they add a lot to the richness of the story. New characters, like the troll, and a witch with rat-familiars, are only a few of the other unforgettable people who move through this new tapestry of magic, adventure, and slow, uncertain but inexorable love.
If you enjoy epic fantasy with your M/M, this series is for you. Do start with the first of the four books, and enjoy the ride.
November 14, 2014
Such a pleasure to read this book! This sequel to the popular series features the conflicted and spurned former best friend of Javier. Elezar is struggling with his memories and guilt, both for his involvement in his brother's death and his violent act against Javier. He can't seem to remove himself from a cycle of violence and the lives he has taken weigh heavily on his spirit. His self-loathing is compounded by his realization of his preference for men.
To save Elezar from his latest disaster, Fedeles, now Duke of Rauma, sends Elezar and his friend, Atreau, to the distant city of Milmuraille, on an undercover mission to stop a war between their two civilizations.
Elezar's love interest, Skellan, is a beautifully realized character. His poverty, his bone-deep connection with the city and its inhabitants, from the highest personage down to the smallest stones at his feet, his mysterious origins, his belief in himself and his destiny, and his tenderness with Bonecrusher and the witch children, made him complex and lovable.
It's a very slow burn romance and not overly graphic when it gets down to the intimate scenes but it's one of those relationships where I felt completely convinced by the hero's love because I felt it myself.
Whereas Lord Of The White Hell had a definite YA feel, this book is the grown up version. Certainly darker. These heroes are men and the fate of the world rests heavily on their shoulders. But there is plenty of light-heartedness as well and I especially enjoyed Atreau's obsession with his memoirs.
I can't remember when LOTWH was written but it must have been several years ago. In that time the author's writing skills have got even better and I found it incredibly pleasurable to read the beautiful passages and vivid descriptions.
The city of Milmuraille was a powerful presence right throughout the story and the world of the witch-queen Grimmas was frightening. This is fantasy at its best, packed with mythology and marvels and an epic battle.
You definitely should read Lord Of The White Hell before starting this and even better read the short story that comes after books 1 and 2 as well: . I'm really grateful that book 4 is not so far off (Dec. 31st).
An excerpt of the first chapter can be found on Tor.com:
To save Elezar from his latest disaster, Fedeles, now Duke of Rauma, sends Elezar and his friend, Atreau, to the distant city of Milmuraille, on an undercover mission to stop a war between their two civilizations.
Elezar's love interest, Skellan, is a beautifully realized character. His poverty, his bone-deep connection with the city and its inhabitants, from the highest personage down to the smallest stones at his feet, his mysterious origins, his belief in himself and his destiny, and his tenderness with Bonecrusher and the witch children, made him complex and lovable.
Skellan pressed his face close to the black granite, drinking in the thick musky scent of the living body lying just beneath the stone. Old memories of summer afternoons spent sprawled across this warm rock, licking honey from his fingers and laughing as Bone-crusher's deep voice shook his whole body flickered through the cold hunger of his mind. For an instant he felt a chasm of raw sorrow open in him - he would never know that life again.
But he caught himself. He wasn't a child anymore and he'd have his revenge soon enough. Then he'd eat pork and cherries in winter, and he'd wear mink-lined gloves. He'd possess sweet beeswax tapers, burn butter in his lamps if he wanted, and at night he'd sleep on silk and goose down. But he'd get none of that by scrubbing his face raw against a rough stone while mourning the ruin of his boyhood.
Oesir's treachery had taught him one thing very well. Fortune favored those with the daring and drive to seize what they wanted.
"Tonight I'll break Oesir and take the sanctum," Skellan whispered. "And I will keep my promise to you, Bone-crusher."
It's a very slow burn romance and not overly graphic when it gets down to the intimate scenes but it's one of those relationships where I felt completely convinced by the hero's love because I felt it myself.
Whereas Lord Of The White Hell had a definite YA feel, this book is the grown up version. Certainly darker. These heroes are men and the fate of the world rests heavily on their shoulders. But there is plenty of light-heartedness as well and I especially enjoyed Atreau's obsession with his memoirs.
I can't remember when LOTWH was written but it must have been several years ago. In that time the author's writing skills have got even better and I found it incredibly pleasurable to read the beautiful passages and vivid descriptions.
Cool, sea-scented winds rose off the river and brushed over Elezar like cold-fingered pickpockets.
The city of Milmuraille was a powerful presence right throughout the story and the world of the witch-queen Grimmas was frightening. This is fantasy at its best, packed with mythology and marvels and an epic battle.
You definitely should read Lord Of The White Hell before starting this and even better read the short story that comes after books 1 and 2 as well: . I'm really grateful that book 4 is not so far off (Dec. 31st).
An excerpt of the first chapter can be found on Tor.com:
December 16, 2017
I don't think it's possible for me to be more obsessed with a series than this one.
This book is looooooonnnnnngggggg but so worth it. The world building is phenomenal. Hale paints pictures with her words over and over again.
is in the same universe as but could be read as a standalone. I wouldn't recommend that, but it could.
Set five years after the events of and featuring Elezar and Skellan, a street witch from Labara.
Elezar has been tasked with trying to broker peace with the Mirogoths, sent as an emissary by Fedeles, Lord of Rauma to Labara since the Mirogoths aren't too keen on Cadeleonians. Atreau accompanies him for reasons and he really and truly is a hilarious sidekick.
When Elezar first meets Skellan it's in his dog form and Elezar is a horse and hound man. He's also a big un. 🙌🏼 He's exceedingly gentle with Skellan but Elezar is a fierce warrior and not to be trifled with. However, Skellan has been best friends with a troll who's been frozen in rock since he was a wee thing, so he's not averse to Elezar's size nor his intimidating mien.
Their romance is a slow burn with Hale painstakingly crafting their connection and their vei. But right from the start Skellan calls Elezar "his Cadeleonian". 💗 I loved that so much. There are minimal sexy times but the way they interact, how comfortable they can be around each other and how loyal they are to one another endears them to me in a different way than Javier and Kiri. We'll see what my feels are after the next one.
Quick side note: I loved how much Skellan eats. I'm no doctor but I'm pretty sure he has at least two stomachs or maybe a hollow leg.
The events that transpire slowly build to a crescendo, much like the first White Hell but end with a bang and some cool ass creatures! I'm hoping the momentum will continue to build during the next book, which I'm off to read now, and cement their relationship with maybe have some more adventures along the way!
High fantasy fans that haven't read this series already should because it's awesome.
This book is looooooonnnnnngggggg but so worth it. The world building is phenomenal. Hale paints pictures with her words over and over again.
is in the same universe as but could be read as a standalone. I wouldn't recommend that, but it could.
Set five years after the events of and featuring Elezar and Skellan, a street witch from Labara.
Elezar has been tasked with trying to broker peace with the Mirogoths, sent as an emissary by Fedeles, Lord of Rauma to Labara since the Mirogoths aren't too keen on Cadeleonians. Atreau accompanies him for reasons and he really and truly is a hilarious sidekick.
When Elezar first meets Skellan it's in his dog form and Elezar is a horse and hound man. He's also a big un. 🙌🏼 He's exceedingly gentle with Skellan but Elezar is a fierce warrior and not to be trifled with. However, Skellan has been best friends with a troll who's been frozen in rock since he was a wee thing, so he's not averse to Elezar's size nor his intimidating mien.
Their romance is a slow burn with Hale painstakingly crafting their connection and their vei. But right from the start Skellan calls Elezar "his Cadeleonian". 💗 I loved that so much. There are minimal sexy times but the way they interact, how comfortable they can be around each other and how loyal they are to one another endears them to me in a different way than Javier and Kiri. We'll see what my feels are after the next one.
Quick side note: I loved how much Skellan eats. I'm no doctor but I'm pretty sure he has at least two stomachs or maybe a hollow leg.
The events that transpire slowly build to a crescendo, much like the first White Hell but end with a bang and some cool ass creatures! I'm hoping the momentum will continue to build during the next book, which I'm off to read now, and cement their relationship with maybe have some more adventures along the way!
High fantasy fans that haven't read this series already should because it's awesome.
March 13, 2019
Reread 2019
How does this book hold up after five years and coming right after the Lord of the White Hell rereads? Actually, a lot better than I originally thought. If anything, I feel like I enjoyed it even more. While I will forever love Lord of the White Hell, there was definitely a juvenile aspect of it all; it's to be expected given that the characters are all still 17ish. But Champion of the Scarlet Wolf takes off the kid gloves, and we are dealt with something more refined. I love Elezar to bits and his interactions with the wild Skellan. The world building was amazing to re-experience, especially the culture and lore.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Review
A lot can happen in five years. Elezar Grunito can attest to that fact, having abandoned his home to pursue a personal vendetta. And to make matters worse, he and former classmate and current friend Atreau are now hunted men. To escape the pursuit of assassins, Elezar and Atreau head to lands only experienced through academy textbooks as emissaries, with a hidden agenda to prevent war.
From the beginning, Ginn Hale doesn’t take the slow route. We start off very abruptly with imprisonment of a crime born of Atreau’s poor choices and lust of women. No introductions are made as these are characters we are familiar with from the Lord of the White Hell books. Starting off quick, we are swept away to the city of Milmuraille.
And this is where the magic begins.
A city wrought with street witches, shapeshifters, and the sealed bodies of mythical creatures in stone and earth, nothing short of Ginn Hale’s magical prose and construction can create something both familiar and original in this fictional world. While Milmuraille is the setting for a majority of the book, we can’t forget the northern Mirogoth forests, which house the Witch Queens and their soldiers (both humans and animals). The following is an example of Hale’s creative addition to this world:
“If stories were to be believed, wethra-steeds were born of split lightning and only came to earth to take up a rider whose soul carried the other half of the lightning strike that had birthed them.�
Asides from the top-notch construction of this fantasy setting, the author gives us the much anticipated insight of Elezar, a supporting character and presence in Lord of the White Hell. We are reminded of Elezar’s deeds in the previous two books. We also learn of new events that puts his past actions in new light, while shaping him to be the person he is today. Elezar was always a big man, but with such a small heart with room enough for very few people in his life. It will take a very special someone to be able to squeeze into Elezar’s insular world.
Perhaps it will take a special witch.
And that’s where Skellan, a witch on a mission of his own, comes in. Taking comfort in the ancient stones of Milmuraille, Skellan is an enigma and curiosity for the readers. Raised from the knowledge and friendship of a sealed away troll and other street witches of the city, Skellan is an interesting counterpart to Elezar. It was definitely a treat as the author shuffles the POV between Skellan and Elezar throughout the book.
The plot was riveting, with a familiar goal (i.e. stopping a war), but an original construct of fantasy. It may seem like different plot lines are created, but the author does a good job making them related into something encompassing.
While I love Champion of the Scarlet Wolf, my biggest complaint was the pacing. While the story started off abruptly, there were definitely chapters that halted the pacing. As an example, there were whole chapters where most of it was spent on conversation between two people, or a group of people. And while this isn’t a criticism, and didn’t affect my rating at all, it is probably something readers of M/M would want to know: the sex is off page.
While not a requirement, there is a Christmas coda that was written, taking place after Lord of the White Hell and before Champion of the Scarlet Wolf. It’s posted online and would be a good prologue featuring Kiram and Javier, but has a nice tie-in to this book.
Overall, Champion of the Scarlet Wolf is another successful book written by Ginn Hale. A great cast of characters, well constructed fantasy, and a city on the brink of war. What more could you want?
How does this book hold up after five years and coming right after the Lord of the White Hell rereads? Actually, a lot better than I originally thought. If anything, I feel like I enjoyed it even more. While I will forever love Lord of the White Hell, there was definitely a juvenile aspect of it all; it's to be expected given that the characters are all still 17ish. But Champion of the Scarlet Wolf takes off the kid gloves, and we are dealt with something more refined. I love Elezar to bits and his interactions with the wild Skellan. The world building was amazing to re-experience, especially the culture and lore.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Review
A lot can happen in five years. Elezar Grunito can attest to that fact, having abandoned his home to pursue a personal vendetta. And to make matters worse, he and former classmate and current friend Atreau are now hunted men. To escape the pursuit of assassins, Elezar and Atreau head to lands only experienced through academy textbooks as emissaries, with a hidden agenda to prevent war.
From the beginning, Ginn Hale doesn’t take the slow route. We start off very abruptly with imprisonment of a crime born of Atreau’s poor choices and lust of women. No introductions are made as these are characters we are familiar with from the Lord of the White Hell books. Starting off quick, we are swept away to the city of Milmuraille.
And this is where the magic begins.
A city wrought with street witches, shapeshifters, and the sealed bodies of mythical creatures in stone and earth, nothing short of Ginn Hale’s magical prose and construction can create something both familiar and original in this fictional world. While Milmuraille is the setting for a majority of the book, we can’t forget the northern Mirogoth forests, which house the Witch Queens and their soldiers (both humans and animals). The following is an example of Hale’s creative addition to this world:
“If stories were to be believed, wethra-steeds were born of split lightning and only came to earth to take up a rider whose soul carried the other half of the lightning strike that had birthed them.�
Asides from the top-notch construction of this fantasy setting, the author gives us the much anticipated insight of Elezar, a supporting character and presence in Lord of the White Hell. We are reminded of Elezar’s deeds in the previous two books. We also learn of new events that puts his past actions in new light, while shaping him to be the person he is today. Elezar was always a big man, but with such a small heart with room enough for very few people in his life. It will take a very special someone to be able to squeeze into Elezar’s insular world.
Perhaps it will take a special witch.
And that’s where Skellan, a witch on a mission of his own, comes in. Taking comfort in the ancient stones of Milmuraille, Skellan is an enigma and curiosity for the readers. Raised from the knowledge and friendship of a sealed away troll and other street witches of the city, Skellan is an interesting counterpart to Elezar. It was definitely a treat as the author shuffles the POV between Skellan and Elezar throughout the book.
The plot was riveting, with a familiar goal (i.e. stopping a war), but an original construct of fantasy. It may seem like different plot lines are created, but the author does a good job making them related into something encompassing.
While I love Champion of the Scarlet Wolf, my biggest complaint was the pacing. While the story started off abruptly, there were definitely chapters that halted the pacing. As an example, there were whole chapters where most of it was spent on conversation between two people, or a group of people. And while this isn’t a criticism, and didn’t affect my rating at all, it is probably something readers of M/M would want to know: the sex is off page.
While not a requirement, there is a Christmas coda that was written, taking place after Lord of the White Hell and before Champion of the Scarlet Wolf. It’s posted online and would be a good prologue featuring Kiram and Javier, but has a nice tie-in to this book.
Overall, Champion of the Scarlet Wolf is another successful book written by Ginn Hale. A great cast of characters, well constructed fantasy, and a city on the brink of war. What more could you want?
October 4, 2016
All endings are beginnings. That said,
Elezar Grunito was a bit of a brute in . He comes across as heavy-handed even during his most compassionate moments. But here, the mosaic of his personality is explored and expanded. His temper has always been an issue, but here we see the more cunning side.
Skellan is a street rat witch who has dedicated his life to becoming the grimma of Milmuraille, but the moment comes for his to challenge things go horrifically wrong. The danger let loose is ravaging the populace--some lay dead, some flee, but a few stand to fight.
The juggling of humor, violence, grim circumstances and heroism make for another mesmerizing Hale read. The witchcraft played with before is spotlighted. Javier and Kiram join up with Elezar, and that sense of camaraderie is established as the battle for Milmuraille begins.
I think I loved this even more than . The setting of a city instead of an academy and the scampering through was more entertaining to me than the negotiating power plays of students and the rules. Again, this is truly a two-part book, but not to scare off readers with 1000 pages it has been broken down into two segments--Off to Book Two!
Only an idiot would sacrifice his life for nothing.
Elezar Grunito was a bit of a brute in . He comes across as heavy-handed even during his most compassionate moments. But here, the mosaic of his personality is explored and expanded. His temper has always been an issue, but here we see the more cunning side.
Elezar wiped the blade of his sword clean with the cloth he carried for just that purpose. The fact that he always kept such a cloth at hand struck him as speaking volumes about the life he’d made for himself as opposed to the one this witch led.
Skellan is a street rat witch who has dedicated his life to becoming the grimma of Milmuraille, but the moment comes for his to challenge things go horrifically wrong. The danger let loose is ravaging the populace--some lay dead, some flee, but a few stand to fight.
The juggling of humor, violence, grim circumstances and heroism make for another mesmerizing Hale read. The witchcraft played with before is spotlighted. Javier and Kiram join up with Elezar, and that sense of camaraderie is established as the battle for Milmuraille begins.
I think I loved this even more than . The setting of a city instead of an academy and the scampering through was more entertaining to me than the negotiating power plays of students and the rules. Again, this is truly a two-part book, but not to scare off readers with 1000 pages it has been broken down into two segments--Off to Book Two!
June 12, 2016
This does not happen often but I feel at a loss as to how to review these books and give them justice. I don't feel equipped to do that.
I'm just... WOW feels like all I have. And happiness. This could be me reading these books :D
This series is epic, like LORD OF THE RINGS epic, only better, less boring, more romantic, but huge, mind-blowing, wondrous.
The setting, the plot, the magic, the battle... just, gah... wow. I did promise you a simplistic review, huh?
And the characters? Oh man, I LOOOOOOOOVE them. So much. They are so real and distinct and real, and I want to have them as my friends. *sigh*
Skellan and Elezar... *swoon* They are perfect and together they are just so perfect. I love them.
We meet Kiram and Javier again, which was so gooooooood to see them. The small glimpses we get into their relationship and love for each other... *hmmmmmm*
This book had me smiling so much. It's smart and endearing and suspenseful and... smart :D Oh and lovely and all the good things. Gosh, I am so sorry for this horrible rambling review, but I just can't...
AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE BEST THING EVER IS??? GINN HALE TOLD ME ON TWITTER THAT SHE'S WRITING ON THE NEXT SET OF STORIES IN THE UNIVERSE RIGHT NOW :))))))))
Here's another thing: the characters generally behave like adults. Go figure. There can be conflict without stupid behaviour. Ginn Hale, oh how I love thee. You're my kind of author.
Loved, loved, loved. So much!
ETA: You can listen to Ginn reading a teaser from the next books :D
I'm just... WOW feels like all I have. And happiness. This could be me reading these books :D
This series is epic, like LORD OF THE RINGS epic, only better, less boring, more romantic, but huge, mind-blowing, wondrous.
The setting, the plot, the magic, the battle... just, gah... wow. I did promise you a simplistic review, huh?
And the characters? Oh man, I LOOOOOOOOVE them. So much. They are so real and distinct and real, and I want to have them as my friends. *sigh*
Skellan and Elezar... *swoon* They are perfect and together they are just so perfect. I love them.
We meet Kiram and Javier again, which was so gooooooood to see them. The small glimpses we get into their relationship and love for each other... *hmmmmmm*
This book had me smiling so much. It's smart and endearing and suspenseful and... smart :D Oh and lovely and all the good things. Gosh, I am so sorry for this horrible rambling review, but I just can't...
AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE BEST THING EVER IS??? GINN HALE TOLD ME ON TWITTER THAT SHE'S WRITING ON THE NEXT SET OF STORIES IN THE UNIVERSE RIGHT NOW :))))))))
Here's another thing: the characters generally behave like adults. Go figure. There can be conflict without stupid behaviour. Ginn Hale, oh how I love thee. You're my kind of author.
Loved, loved, loved. So much!
ETA: You can listen to Ginn reading a teaser from the next books :D
January 7, 2015
One week in--did I just read the best book I'll read all year?
The answer is most probably a resounding yes--I'll let you know for sure after I finish book two.
This book is fucking awesome. Ginn Hale is a goddess. THis review is nothing but fangirl squee-babble and I don't care.
The answer is most probably a resounding yes--I'll let you know for sure after I finish book two.
This book is fucking awesome. Ginn Hale is a goddess. THis review is nothing but fangirl squee-babble and I don't care.
November 9, 2014
Ginn Hale has done it again.
Incredible world building, a cast of irresistibly charming and truly wonderful characters, an intriguing plot....and I just want to go back to page one and immerse myself in Hale's world all over again....
Gah. Book 2 can't come soon enough.
Loved it.
Incredible world building, a cast of irresistibly charming and truly wonderful characters, an intriguing plot....and I just want to go back to page one and immerse myself in Hale's world all over again....
Gah. Book 2 can't come soon enough.
Loved it.
December 3, 2023
Fantasy has always been my one true love. Even as a small child, a good fantasy story was the only thing I could ever get really invested in. Then, as I got older and discovered M/M, I discovered M/M fantasy and that was basically the best thing that ever happened to me. I spent the first few years after I'd hit this gold mine working my way through all the M/M fantasy classics: Doctrine of Labyrinths, Nightrunner, God Eaters, PL Nunn's stuff, Ann Somerville, and of course, I devoured anything written by Ginn Hale. And still the list goes on. Eventually, I ran out of good fantasy. At some point I was sifting through the dregs. Reading these crappy but well-meaning 100+ page novellas that frustrated me more than anything. Every now and then a new (or old) author will put out a thoughtful and entertaining fantasy novel but very, very few of them have the capacity to pull me in. To wrap me up and buffer reality like those first books did. I was beginning to think my standards were too high, that I was being too demanding. But Ginn Hale has never had that problem. She creates worlds that are so real, so well realised, that it's almost jarring to look up from a page she's written and just like exist in mundane reality. I'm not reviewing the plot of this book, it's great; there's a whole bunch of magic and fighting and a little bit of reluctant romance, but it could have been completely different and still have been amazing. I'm reviewing how this book made me feel, and that is basically everything. The full range of human emotion. It's sweeping and touching and a bit funny and sad and just fucking awesome. So, I finished and there's this whole other half of the story still to come, and I'm excited but also WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER I JUST CAN'T.
May 11, 2016
Fantastic. Fantasy has always been one of my top favorite genres, and when it's combined with m/m, that just makes it all that much better.
April 16, 2022
We're back to the Cadeleon empire five years after the events at the Sagrada academy, five years after the end of the Hellions. Javier and Kiram still on the run, Fedeles now Duke of Rauma with all the responsibilities coming with that title, Atreau leads the live of charming but aimless libertine and Elezar fights his demons, his memories and duels seemingly without any reason or rhyme, never minding that he's believed to be more brawn than brain, the unrestrained beast, loyal but with a quick temper, which is the reason why suddenly he and Atreau find themselves in the far north county of the Labara protectorate, directly at the border of a wilderness ruled by powerful and ancient witch-queens, only a volatile truce away from a new war. They don't know it yet but there is also another danger lurking, empowered by political machinations and started by deceit and hubris.
That's the setup where Elezar meets Skellan, an orphan street-witch, in his hound form. Both have secrets of their own, both from completely different worlds, at the opposite end of society even but there's something keeping them together, something more than threads from outside. It's clear from the very beginning that it won't be easy or smooth, neither their fight for the country nor their route to love (given the view of Cadeleon on same sex attraction). So it might not be a surprise that different to the previous duology, book 1 of Champion is a fantasy tale first and foremost and it takes time for Elezar to give in to even only his attraction which makes it so much more real.
The world building is everything that is needed and more, the plot exhilarating and the characters real in their flawed appearance. There are mystical creatures, magic, intrigue and scary opponents but also friendship, fun and understanding. There is a reason why I already read it twice and don't want to leave that world.
The book is the first of a duology and while it ends spectacularly with the resolution of the task at hand, the war is still coming and it might cost them everything. If you love epic fantasy without immaculate heroes give this a try, you won't be disappointed � but you like to start with the White Hell duology (not completely necessary but it gives a better understanding, besides it's totally worth it).
That's the setup where Elezar meets Skellan, an orphan street-witch, in his hound form. Both have secrets of their own, both from completely different worlds, at the opposite end of society even but there's something keeping them together, something more than threads from outside. It's clear from the very beginning that it won't be easy or smooth, neither their fight for the country nor their route to love (given the view of Cadeleon on same sex attraction). So it might not be a surprise that different to the previous duology, book 1 of Champion is a fantasy tale first and foremost and it takes time for Elezar to give in to even only his attraction which makes it so much more real.
The world building is everything that is needed and more, the plot exhilarating and the characters real in their flawed appearance. There are mystical creatures, magic, intrigue and scary opponents but also friendship, fun and understanding. There is a reason why I already read it twice and don't want to leave that world.
The book is the first of a duology and while it ends spectacularly with the resolution of the task at hand, the war is still coming and it might cost them everything. If you love epic fantasy without immaculate heroes give this a try, you won't be disappointed � but you like to start with the White Hell duology (not completely necessary but it gives a better understanding, besides it's totally worth it).
November 13, 2015
Note: Though the book is definitely long enough to justify dividing into two volumes, unlike most fantasy series, this really is a single story. Please see book two for my review.
March 29, 2021
3.5 stars
Oh, this was GOOD. The magic-building is superb and so much fun.
The first duology established a bunch of differing cultures who can't really co-exist peacefully since their religions all consider the others to be prosecutable blasphemers, but these two take place in the border kingdom where they're all living together in a truce that's basically forced by circumstances of fighting a greater, common evil. And seeing all the separate and blended cultures was really interesting, especially when you throw in the class differences of the MCs.
Skellen is such a great character. I love him so much. His background and how that shaped him as a person, the whole nature vs. nurture aspect, BONE-CRUSHER!!! The best.
And the way he and Elezar work as partners, with complementing strengths and weaknesses, is so well-executed. The whole thing is just immensely satisfying.
It's one very long book split into two, though, so be prepared to read them both together.
I knocked half a star off even though my only complaints are little niggles that have nothing to do with the main fantasy plot -- one is being greedy with the romance, and the other is the resolution of a side character's plot -- just because they're ultimately complaints about slight underdevelopments and...you had 1,000 pages to work with!!! They are such tiny complaints, though, I maybe should just give it four full stars. It's GOOD.
Even after 1,000 pages I wanted to stay in this world and read on with the next duology. Unfortunately, I got 20 pages into that one before realizing the second book's only out in paperback right now! Weird, but I actually considered buying it so I could keep going. $18 was just too much for me to justify. But the ebook comes out this fall, and I can't wait. I love this fantasy world.
Just make sure you read the excellent and 2 first.
Oh, this was GOOD. The magic-building is superb and so much fun.
The first duology established a bunch of differing cultures who can't really co-exist peacefully since their religions all consider the others to be prosecutable blasphemers, but these two take place in the border kingdom where they're all living together in a truce that's basically forced by circumstances of fighting a greater, common evil. And seeing all the separate and blended cultures was really interesting, especially when you throw in the class differences of the MCs.
Skellen is such a great character. I love him so much. His background and how that shaped him as a person, the whole nature vs. nurture aspect, BONE-CRUSHER!!! The best.
And the way he and Elezar work as partners, with complementing strengths and weaknesses, is so well-executed. The whole thing is just immensely satisfying.
It's one very long book split into two, though, so be prepared to read them both together.
I knocked half a star off even though my only complaints are little niggles that have nothing to do with the main fantasy plot -- one is being greedy with the romance, and the other is the resolution of a side character's plot -- just because they're ultimately complaints about slight underdevelopments and...you had 1,000 pages to work with!!! They are such tiny complaints, though, I maybe should just give it four full stars. It's GOOD.
Even after 1,000 pages I wanted to stay in this world and read on with the next duology. Unfortunately, I got 20 pages into that one before realizing the second book's only out in paperback right now! Weird, but I actually considered buying it so I could keep going. $18 was just too much for me to justify. But the ebook comes out this fall, and I can't wait. I love this fantasy world.
Just make sure you read the excellent and 2 first.
Read
June 21, 2015I loved The Lord of the White Hell, but two Scarlet Wolf books are better. This is what fantasy is supposed to be: exhilarating in both plot and worldbuilding (oh, the worldbuilding in this had me breathless), full of flawed but real characters struggling against forces beyond their control, and laced with wisdom and magic and the unexpected. Utterly gorgeous, both of them.
August 21, 2015
Yayyyy! On to Book 2!
September 18, 2015
unfortunate editing and proofing errors took me out of the story, but the bones of it are top-notch ginn hale.
December 13, 2014
Four and three-quarter stars. I'm knocking one-quarter of a star off because of the editing - mostly missing words, extra words, the wrong words and words in the wrong order. The majority could/should have been picked up in a thorough edit.
That aside (and normally it would do my head in, but the book more than made up for it), the book was amazing. Ginn Hale always has incredibly mad world-building skills, and this book proves that. She's created such a vivid world that's so different and interesting. And so in depth. And then there is the plot, which was also fascinating, and the character development, which was tops! I loved seeing Javier and Kiriam from an outsider's (Skellan's) POV. And Elezar's and Skellan's struggles. Both are outsiders, albeit for different reasons, and both are haunted by their past and their losses.
So, am I looking forward to the sequel? Oh yes! It's being released on 31 December 2014, which is 1 January 2015 where I live so it will be a good start to the New Year *beams*
That aside (and normally it would do my head in, but the book more than made up for it), the book was amazing. Ginn Hale always has incredibly mad world-building skills, and this book proves that. She's created such a vivid world that's so different and interesting. And so in depth. And then there is the plot, which was also fascinating, and the character development, which was tops! I loved seeing Javier and Kiriam from an outsider's (Skellan's) POV. And Elezar's and Skellan's struggles. Both are outsiders, albeit for different reasons, and both are haunted by their past and their losses.
So, am I looking forward to the sequel? Oh yes! It's being released on 31 December 2014, which is 1 January 2015 where I live so it will be a good start to the New Year *beams*
October 9, 2017
Гадский клифхэнгер!!! Что за издевательство! На самом интересном месте! Арррр
February 11, 2015
another perfect storytelling from Ginn Hale!!!
I’m a happy kid yet again after saying temporary farewell to Kiram Kir-Zaki and Javier Tornesal in the Lord of the White Hell book 1 and 2 � Ginn Hale yet again brings us to this world but this time the focus is on Elezar (remember Javier’s bestfriend who’s got this unrequited love for him for years?) Oh yes, good times!
I was not the biggest fan of Elezar since I found out that he’s been pining for Javier (I think we got that memo in the second book of Lord of the White Hell during the winter’s solstice when Kiram sneaked up to the Hellions� rooms bearing gifts while the rest are attending some sort of solstice ceremony and he saw a picture of Javier in Elezar’s drawer � that was the time I realized it of course � that was it right?) Anyways, of course he almost killed Javier and was sending dagger looks towards Kiram eversince but since they all went together in the Old Road until the end � I guess, it went okay by then. But of course, Javier and Kiram had to leave which left Elezar in Cadeleon and so the book started five years after the couple flee for their lives.
Things didn’t go easy for Elezar and he always finds himself in trouble � mainly becoming this big, kickass nobleman whose life suddenly spiraled down to a purposeless existence. When he acted to save his dear friend and fellow Hellion Altreau from getting killed � he's got no choice but to flee Cadeleon with Altreau and was sent on a mission by Fadeles (yup, remember Javier’s possessed cousin?) in the heart of Milmuraille. There he meets Skellan, a street witch whom he initially met and saved as a street hound. There’s more to Skellan than meets the eye and this red head witch awakens something from Elezar that he thought he’d long buried five years ago.
So I won’t into too many details because really, there’s so much in this book that I’d really like to discuss. Case in point, the long babbling I just did. Anyhoo, this story was a signature Ginn Hale book � detailed, deep UST and a lot of feels which I can’t even!
This book will very much remind you of Narnia because of the witch’s familiar and well - the witches. There’s so much magic going on that sometimes it was a bit difficult to catch up. I myself gets confused and had to go back to a certain page.
The good thing about this book though was how detailed it was with each character, each event and each minute references. I’ve no problem with the length of the story and I enjoyed reading it that I even find myself skipping a meal to actually get to the main action. O_O
This was Elezar’s story more than Skellan obviously but at some point in the book, I can’t help but feel for Skellan’s character and what he’s endured before he met Elezar. There were some characters whom I’d rather see die in the first book but unfortunately didn’t (yes � I’m bad that way) but overall, it made the story even more exciting.
Milmuraille achieved relative peace at the end � atleast for our characters but it also opened a lot of questions and revelations for the second book to dissect. Now this is what’s so good about the story, it makes you wanna read the next book right away because it makes you anxious to know what will happen with these characters. After this first book, I was so attached with Skellan ( I loved him) and Elezar that I just really want them to be together already without Elezar’s worrying to much about the law and religion (ugh. Like’s he’s a very religious guy to begin with) and yes � this book made me even giddy to read more about Javier and Kiram!
This book is another masterpiece from Ginn Hale. Ugh. Seriously, she doesn’t know how not to deliver!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I’m a happy kid yet again after saying temporary farewell to Kiram Kir-Zaki and Javier Tornesal in the Lord of the White Hell book 1 and 2 � Ginn Hale yet again brings us to this world but this time the focus is on Elezar (remember Javier’s bestfriend who’s got this unrequited love for him for years?) Oh yes, good times!
I was not the biggest fan of Elezar since I found out that he’s been pining for Javier (I think we got that memo in the second book of Lord of the White Hell during the winter’s solstice when Kiram sneaked up to the Hellions� rooms bearing gifts while the rest are attending some sort of solstice ceremony and he saw a picture of Javier in Elezar’s drawer � that was the time I realized it of course � that was it right?) Anyways, of course he almost killed Javier and was sending dagger looks towards Kiram eversince but since they all went together in the Old Road until the end � I guess, it went okay by then. But of course, Javier and Kiram had to leave which left Elezar in Cadeleon and so the book started five years after the couple flee for their lives.
Things didn’t go easy for Elezar and he always finds himself in trouble � mainly becoming this big, kickass nobleman whose life suddenly spiraled down to a purposeless existence. When he acted to save his dear friend and fellow Hellion Altreau from getting killed � he's got no choice but to flee Cadeleon with Altreau and was sent on a mission by Fadeles (yup, remember Javier’s possessed cousin?) in the heart of Milmuraille. There he meets Skellan, a street witch whom he initially met and saved as a street hound. There’s more to Skellan than meets the eye and this red head witch awakens something from Elezar that he thought he’d long buried five years ago.
So I won’t into too many details because really, there’s so much in this book that I’d really like to discuss. Case in point, the long babbling I just did. Anyhoo, this story was a signature Ginn Hale book � detailed, deep UST and a lot of feels which I can’t even!
This book will very much remind you of Narnia because of the witch’s familiar and well - the witches. There’s so much magic going on that sometimes it was a bit difficult to catch up. I myself gets confused and had to go back to a certain page.
The good thing about this book though was how detailed it was with each character, each event and each minute references. I’ve no problem with the length of the story and I enjoyed reading it that I even find myself skipping a meal to actually get to the main action. O_O
This was Elezar’s story more than Skellan obviously but at some point in the book, I can’t help but feel for Skellan’s character and what he’s endured before he met Elezar. There were some characters whom I’d rather see die in the first book but unfortunately didn’t (yes � I’m bad that way) but overall, it made the story even more exciting.
Milmuraille achieved relative peace at the end � atleast for our characters but it also opened a lot of questions and revelations for the second book to dissect. Now this is what’s so good about the story, it makes you wanna read the next book right away because it makes you anxious to know what will happen with these characters. After this first book, I was so attached with Skellan ( I loved him) and Elezar that I just really want them to be together already without Elezar’s worrying to much about the law and religion (ugh. Like’s he’s a very religious guy to begin with) and yes � this book made me even giddy to read more about Javier and Kiram!
This book is another masterpiece from Ginn Hale. Ugh. Seriously, she doesn’t know how not to deliver!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
January 21, 2015
The Lord of the White Hell series was my first ever m/m experience and I have waited a long time for this book to come out. All I can say is that it was well worth the wait. Ginn Hale's writing is always superb, her world building is complex and her characters interesting and believable, I couldn't ask for more. It was superb.
This third book is told from the viewpoint of Javier's best friend Elezar Grunito and his new companion Skellan, a witch. I really enjoyed finding out more about Elezar and the reasons why he made the choices he did in the previous books and glad that he finally seems to have someone to fill the hole that Javier left. I was over the moon that Javier and Kiram turned up for the final section of the book, it was more than I could have hoped for. It was fascinating to watch Elezar interact with both Skellan and Javier at the same time and I can't wait to start the next book and find out what happens next.
This third book is told from the viewpoint of Javier's best friend Elezar Grunito and his new companion Skellan, a witch. I really enjoyed finding out more about Elezar and the reasons why he made the choices he did in the previous books and glad that he finally seems to have someone to fill the hole that Javier left. I was over the moon that Javier and Kiram turned up for the final section of the book, it was more than I could have hoped for. It was fascinating to watch Elezar interact with both Skellan and Javier at the same time and I can't wait to start the next book and find out what happens next.
December 7, 2024
Thank you to Peppermint Vixen for gifting this to me during the 2024 Secret Santa Book Exchange!
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4.5 rounded up
I continue to really enjoy this universe!! This book and the next focus on one of the Hellions from the first two books, and it was cool to learn more about him and the world overall. The plot was fascinating, and I really enjoyed the characterizations and relationship build. We get both POVs in this book, which I think worked well. We also get several fun cameos of characters from the earlier books in a way that felt natural and didn't distract. Unlike book one, this book's ending felt fairly self-contained, so I'm very curious to see the direction things go in book 2!
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4.5 rounded up
I continue to really enjoy this universe!! This book and the next focus on one of the Hellions from the first two books, and it was cool to learn more about him and the world overall. The plot was fascinating, and I really enjoyed the characterizations and relationship build. We get both POVs in this book, which I think worked well. We also get several fun cameos of characters from the earlier books in a way that felt natural and didn't distract. Unlike book one, this book's ending felt fairly self-contained, so I'm very curious to see the direction things go in book 2!
October 12, 2014
I consider myself kind of a jaded person when it comes to expectations. I've long realized that most things I look forward to are going to disappoint, so it's best not to expect too much. Then along comes Ginn Hale, and she's all, "Look at me, I'm Ginn Hale! I'm going to exceed expectations with everything I create, thereby destroying your carefully constructed protection mechanisms, condemning you to eternal disappointment and ruining your life! And by the way, have a cliffhanger! HA!"
THANKS A LOT GINN HALE. >:-|
THANKS A LOT GINN HALE. >:-|
January 5, 2019
Easily one of my favourite books this year.
August 31, 2015
Onto book 2
October 5, 2014
Exquisite.
September 19, 2016
I've loved every book that I've read of Ginn Hale's and this one is just as wonderful as the rest. At first, it was hard to think of liking Elezar because of how he had been in the Lord of the White Hell series, but I ended up loving him in this book. I really felt bad for Skellan because of the hard life he's had to live and I can't wait to see his relationship with Elezar grow even more in the next book.
I loved seeing Kiram and Javier again. I had re-read their two books, before reading this new series based on their world, and I'm glad I did. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
I loved seeing Kiram and Javier again. I had re-read their two books, before reading this new series based on their world, and I'm glad I did. I can't wait for the next book in this series!
April 7, 2016
First read on February 2, 2015.
Re-read on March 25, 2016.
Can't believe it, but this spin-off was even better than the Lord of The White Hell books. The scale, the grandeur, the epicness, and the boys from the original series all grown up and mature...can't describe how much I loved it.
**happy sigh**
Re-read on March 25, 2016.
Can't believe it, but this spin-off was even better than the Lord of The White Hell books. The scale, the grandeur, the epicness, and the boys from the original series all grown up and mature...can't describe how much I loved it.
**happy sigh**
August 19, 2015
Review here: /review/show....
June 28, 2022
Will write short review for the whole series on book 6.
October 8, 2015
Review to follow
But this series is just stunning
But this series is just stunning
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