By Meghan Mazzaferro
Content warning: murder, violence, gore, self-harm, animal sacrifices
In H. M. Long’s debut adult fantasy novel, Hall of Smoke, an exiled warrior priestess must navigate an ever-changing world and prevent a war of the gods. Hessa has been exiled for failing a task given to her by her goddess of war, and before she can make amends, her people are attacked. Enemies from the north are migrating, and the Engi, Hessa’s people, are being targeted. Cast far from her home, Hessa must journey across the continent, grappling with human enemies, long-forgotten monsters, and newly awakened gods to fulfill her destiny and hopefully regain Eng’s grace. But as she travels, Hessa cannot help but learn that the gods are complicated and imperfect, there is more to the growing conflict than her goddess is willing to tell her, and there are deeper magics at play than she could ever imagine.
This book is spectacular. Incredibly atmospheric, deeply personal, and brimming with Viking-inspired badassery, there is nothing this book doesn’t do. Hessa is an incredibly compelling character, the gods are perfectly flawed, and the mysteries of the growing conflict are revealed at just the right time to keep you on the edge of your seat. H. M. Long takes her time crafting a rich, immersive world full of vibrant locations, well-developed characters, and complex gods and magic. The slower pace allows you to fully engross yourself in the story, and to truly connect with Hessa as she goes through an emotional and physical journey to restore her name and save those she loves.
Hessa is such a compelling main character to follow. She is forced to deal with both physical and emotional trauma, her struggles with her faith, her sense of self, and her purpose in life connect with the reader on a visceral level. She is a woman who is put through hell, but she never stops fighting for those she loves, and it is inspiring. The fight scenes in this book are choreographed so well and have a certain physicality that fits the Viking culture this story is inspired by. Hessa’s complexity as a character makes her very easy to root for and relate to.
This book’s plot is emotionally complex, dealing with topics of grief, faith, identity, and self-discovery in a rapidly changing world. The war between the gods, and Hessa’s journey to the heart of the gods’ power, is an incredibly interesting, complicated, and satisfying storyline. And though this book deals with some big-scale conflicts—a full-on war between the gods—the story never loses its emotional core. Through Hessa, the reader is grounded in this world and one person’s struggles within it. It would be so easy for this story to get wrapped up in all the different politics at play, but choosing instead to focus on one woman’s experience creates a lasting, emotional hold on the reader.
If you are a fan of feminist fantasy with strong female characters, shifting power structures, and fallible gods, this story is perfect for you. And luckily for you, there is a companion novel, Temple of No God, that just came out, so you’ll be able to spend even more time in this incredible world H. M. Long has created.