Lord of the White Hell is the huge new novel in two parts from cult favorite Ginn Hale. Book Two is here.
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.
Kiram fought his family and Cadeleonian bigots to remain in the Sagrada Academy to prove himself as a mechanist and to dispel the deadly shadow curse that threatens to destroy his upperclassman,Javier Tornesal.
But when his efforts provoke retaliation, Kiram’s family and home are endangered. Both Kiram and Javier risk everything in a desperate gambit to combat the curse.
But they never imagined their battle would come so soon, or that it would be led by the one person they trust most of all.
“Seventeen-year-old engineering genius Kiram Kir-Zaki is the first full-blooded Haldiim to attend the Cadeleonian Academy Sagrada, and he knows they only admitted him in hopes of winning the Crown Challenge scientific competition. The uptight Cadeleonians stick him with the only roommate he can’t corrupt with his heathen ways: Javier Tornesal, cursed by the evil powers of the white hell. The two are instantly attracted, but they must resist and hide their romance as Javier protects Kiram and helps him train for the competition. Then Kiram’s uncle Rafie and his husband, the mystic Alizadeh, reveal secrets that could tear the boys–and the country–apart. An intricate world, well-integrated social issues, believable sexual encounters, and an interesting mystery make this dense, languorous tale appealing for any fan of romantic fantasy.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Lushly detailed, with believable, fully developed characters, this fantasy with homoerotic overtones is reminiscent of Mercedes Lackey’s Vanyel novels and should appeal to a similar readership.”
—Library Journal
“There is something almost intoxicating about Ginn Hale’s work. Her characters are unforgettable and her plots mesmerizing. The imagery in Lord of the White Hell blazes from the page with ferocious brightness.”
—Josh Lanyon, author of Strange Fortune
“From the very beginning, you’re thrown into the fantasy world and this never lets up. Immediately immersed into a complicated story and world so there is little to do but enjoy the ride. There is a large hanging ending, which I usually hate, but done so well here that it works. Readers will want to get book two, but there is a nice pause between the two books with a well chosen break point. I personally can’t wait for book two and the complete story is likely one to be unique, memorable, and compelling for fantasy fans. Those readers unfamiliar with such dense world building may be lost initially but the threads start to come together pretty quickly so stay with it, the story is absolutely worth the effort. This is a story you’ll want to read again and again.”
—Reviews by Jessewave