Tag Archives: Ginn Hale

Book Review: Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book Two – Ginn Hale

And so the story continues…

Champion Of The Scarlet Wolf Book TwoSkellan saved Milmuraille from the demon Lord and Oesir is now dead. He also found out that he’s actually the stolen son of count Radulf and one of the grimmas. Now, it’s time for him to step up as their leader and with Elezar Grunito in his side along with his “powerful” friends – are they equipped enough to beat the Old gods?

Now, this I enjoyed immensely because it’s so full of action I can’t even turn a page without any sort of chaos ensuing around Skellan and Elezar. It’s also fun to see Elezar finally loosening up and his acceptance towards his true nature. He’s obviously over with Javier but he’s still got a lot to learn about being comfortable with a man. I loved that he and Skellan are so in-synch and it may be because of Skellan’s spells but cmon’ it’s got to be true love right? After all, Elezar is Skellan’s man.

I also loved that in this second book of the Scarlet Wolf – we get to see more of Javier and Kiram affectations towards each other. It was so beautiful to read how they are so comfortable with each other and how through the years, they’ve grown not only as a couple but as individuals. It makes me feel a bit nostalgic thinking back when they were still students of the Sagrada Academy.

At the end of this story, I feel like there’s more to these characters. I may want to have Morisio and Altreau’s story although I’m not that certain about Altreau’s  true orientation – I may have to cross my fingers that this playboy nobleman will give Morision a chance after all. Oh and wouldn’t it be fun to have Kiram’s brother and Altreau fighting for Morisio’s affection? I don’t think it will happen but I want some resolution in this series – I mean, I want Cadeleon to change its law and I want Prince Sevanyo to have his own story. I feel like there’s more that Ginn Hale could explore in this story. In the meantime, go to Amazon and buy this epic series. It’s just so worth it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published October 7th 2014 by Blind Eye Books

BUY LINKS
Amazon
Blind Eye Books

Book Review: Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book One – Ginn Hale

Champion Of The Scarlet Wolf Book OneI’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

Published October 7th 2014 by Blind Eye Books

BUY LINKS Amazon Blind Eye Books

Book Review: Rifter Series by Ginn Hale (Book 1-10)

Rifter Series Book 1-5 Covers

Rifter Series Book 1-5 Covers

[Warning: This review contains spoilers.]

I ought to write my individual reviews for each book in the series but I figured that it’s more proper for me to consider each book as part of a whole saga (containing seven arcs) encompassing thirty years in the life of John, a human transported into another realm – a world where his housemate Kyle came from.

The epicness of this series is just beyond me! I enjoyed and loved every second of reading this ten-part series. What I appreciate most though is the fact that as much as possible, the author tried solving all the loopholes in it. What totally bugs me is the conclusion which I would be discussing a little later on.

So John along with his friends (a couple named Laurie and Bill) were accidentally transported into Basawar (think of a Narnia-like world minus the talking animals), the place where his odd housemate Kyle “apparently” came from. Kyle is the “Kahlil” who was destined / ordained to kill John who’s the incarnation of their god. He’s the human seen by the oracle who will be destroying all of Basawar.

Rifter Series Book 6-10 Covers

Rifter Series Book 6-10 Covers

The plot of the story thickens as John meets the young handsome priest Ravishan who is training to become the next Kahlil. Meeting Ravishan made their tumultuous entrance into Basawar more bearable but their world is about to get more complicated as John and his friends found themselves under the Bousim household where John was forced to accompany Firiki (The son of the lady in Bousim household) into the doors of Rathal’pesha to train as an ushiri (in contention of becoming a Kahlil). There, John meets Ravishan again and has shown potential to become a priest himself. Due to discrimination, he was relegated as some sort of a medic priest. As the story goes by, John was able to piece everything together coming to the conclusion that Ravishan and his housemate were one and the same, although John first meets Kyle as a Kahlil and this kahlil in training – Ravishan is the guy he fell in love with.

At times, the story tends to be a tad bit confusing because of the interchanging timeline in it especially during the second arc but as it went by, it’s just like reading some sort of backstory although at one point – the past and the present (see, Kyle followed the trio into Basawar) meets (ala Lake House meeting of some sort) and their reunion was truly one for the books.

I actually cried a little for John who is now known as J’aitbaya. I cried because he’s been living in Basawar for 30 years and was still nursing his broken heart from his separation from Ravishan. Although one and the same. Kyle still felt different from Ravishan. It’s like he’s simply a replacement of his young self. But all the same, John still love Ravishan and gave the same affection to Kyle.

Now the question bugging me at the end, is Kyle immortal now like John? After he passed on, he was possessed by the holy bones of the young Ravishan. Did he become immortal himself the way the oracles are immortals? I sure hope so because these two more than deserved to be together especially after what they have gone through.

To conclude this, I wished that more people would read this series because of its exceptional story that you’d regret missing. The humanity in it is truly heartfelt and the way John and Kyle have proven their love and devotion for each other was truly an amazing feat. It’s just so beautiful it almost hurts.

‘tis definitely one of my favorite series – another great feat to achieve by one of my new favorite authors – Ginn Hale who brought us the amazing Wicked Gentleman and the stunning Lord Of The White Hell. Indeed, Hail Ginn Hale!

Book Review: Lord Of The White Hell Book #2 – Ginn Hale

via goodreads

via goodreads

Picking up after the tournament that was the culmination of the first book in the series and Kiram was allowed to stay in Sagrada Academy given that Javier will look after his welfare. There are so many things that happened in this book but the main highlight for me was Kiram’s homecoming in Anacleto where we get to see more of his family and the ways of where Kiram grew up. Here, Javier also has to make a very difficult decision that could change everything in his life.

Oh, and I so loved that angle about Eleazar. That was hard for the guy I’m sure [no spoiler though 😉 ] I thought the middle and the most latter parts were a bit fast-paced but hey, I’m not really complaining. It’s still pure awesomeness [like seriously, I cannot wait to read the next book in the series]

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. via Goodreads

The bit about the man behind the shadow curse was kinda predictable but it’s all good since I’ve already expected it even from the first book. Oh and how I loved the people of Haldiim! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place like that for real???!!

The conclusion here was rather abrupt but I think it ended that way to create more clamour for the series and it very much succeeded in a way. It is once again, just beyond!!!

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Lord Of The White Hell Book #1 – Ginn Hale

via goodreads

via goodreads

Wow! Just wow! And I thought after reading the “Wicked Gentleman,” Ginn Hale will have a hard time surpassing the greatness within the confines of Hells Below and beyond. Boy. Was. I. Wrong.

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 via Goodreads

Lord Of The White Hell is a totally different universe of its own. It has magic, royalties, witchcraft, tribes, gods and so on and so on. Just imagine the vibe of Captive Prince [S U Pacat], the magical appeal of Hogwarts, put a pinch of Hugo and mix it with a tiny bit of the Hunger Games and you’d get the story of Kiram’s adventure here with his charming duke Javier – the lord of the white hell.

I haven’t read a book this detailed in a while and I’m totally awestruck by the world created by Miss Ginn Hale in this series. The book has everything you are looking for a romantic-fantasy series that you’ll find yourself wanting for more – more from this fascinating realm. Truly, the book is perfection. A total MUST-READ.

Hail Ginn Hale!!!

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Wicked Gentleman – Ginn Hale

via goodreads

via goodreads

Imagine a world where the descendants of the Devil are living amongst the descendants of Adam and Eve. Imagine the population of hell leaving their realm to go on and live amongst humans who created a group of peacekeeper to control them. The Prodigals are those from Hell and the peacekeepers are the Inquisitors. This imagined world is the wickedly enthralling setting where the one Inquisitor’s quest for purpose led him into the “ophorium” addicted Prodigal who brought all the changes in him.

I actually cannot believe that this was written in 2007 and I’ve just heard about it now! This world created by the author and its characters is a book magic! Like seriously, this should be the start of a series. Hells Below is a place where such beautiful series are made of! Ya know why I’m not giving this a perfect five stars? Because I feel like there should’ve been more pages in this book and it felts a bit rushed at the end. Nevertheless, the whole story made up for it. The sheer greatness of the author’s imagination is top class for sure.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars