2.5
like it was fine and then the end was just :/
"he was quite probably a murderer"
( )

Beautifully written high fantasy with a slow burn romance. Complex story with well developed characters. ( )

I would say a 3.5 but I rounded it up because it was an interesting read.

I like this type of story. A kind of school boys in love story. So that made me very interested in the book once I started. I liked Kiram. He's a sweetie and I commend him for dealing with such backward people all the time and not completely imploding, especially when he has none of his people around. Nestor is also a sweetie and I want to pet him. I want them to be best pals forever even when Nestor realizes his best bro is gay as a freaking glitter pegicorn.

It was nice to read about Kiram making friends and things but somehow I felt that having people stop treating him like crap because of Javier was a bit of a cop out and made things a bit too sunshine and rainbows for me. There would definitely be way more racial conflict. I'm not saying he wouldn't find friends. He definitely would. But there would be a whole lot more struggling with being in a hostile place. And he comes out unscathed walking around in the city alone at night and doesn't even seem terrified about it. If everyone hates his people as much as they're supposed to, he should unfortunately be terrified of walking home alone for what seems like hours in a hostile city, especially if these people are as barbaric against his people as Hale has hinted at so many times. I want Kiram to be happy and sunshine but happy and sunshine is not realistic when you are the only brown person in a sea of whites that think you are the devil.

Also, why does Kiram seems so negligent of his amazing project that got him into the academy in the first place? It's used once as a plot point when he delves into it because he's avoiding Javier but I never actually feel like he's genuinely interested in it. Even if he suddenly becomes obsessed with Javier and ignores it surely someone would notice and some point and point it out to him. And he's not going to be too busy with schoolwork because he loves that stuff and would definitely find time. ( )

I have had this book on my kindle for about a year, I am so sorry I waited so long to read both this and book 2. Ms. Hale is one of those writers who can create a world so rich and alive, that pulls you in so completely that you forget you are reading a book and are surprised when you realize you are not at the Academy or walking through the markets of Anacleto.

Highly recommended ( )

*non-spoiler review of both books*

Lord of The White Hell was recommended to me after I finished Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat and desperately craved something similar.


It is a gorgeous fantasy romance created in the best tradition of anime stories - a remote boarding school, a haughty dark young man, whom everyone is afraid of, a scholarly newcomer who steals his heart... It's a softer, more romantic story, than Captive Prince, and I loved it.


Kiram Kir-Zaki is the first Haldiim in centuries invited to Sagrada Academy, a Cadeleonian school for noble boys. He is a talented inventor, determined to make a name for himself and break stereotypes associated with Haldiim. His family is famous for making sweets, which is why they can afford to indulge him and pay for his tuition.


A word about Haldiim society, which I found fascinating. Parts of it must have been taken from early Jewish/Arabic conclaves which is why Haldiim wear colourful clothes, wash often and eat a lot of spicy, flavoursome food. But then, this is a society ruled by women. Women own businesses, and it's men who wear makeup and bridal finery when they are married into someone's family. They are indulged and pampered. There are even bookshops and other places which men can not enter. It's a very liberal society in matters or heart - you can marry whoever you want no matter the gender, but of course your mother will try to arrange a marriage beneficial for her house.


On the contrast, Cadeleonian society is a prototype of Spanish society of maybe 17th century? Very religious, very strict. Women are not allowed into schools, they can not own properties, any non woman-man relationship is a great sin and punished by imprisonment and often death.


Back to Sagrada Academy. Because Kiram is considered a heathen, he is roomed with cursed by the White Hell Javier Tornesal, the Duke of Ruoma and eventually taken under Javier's wing when two of them get to know each other.


Javier is a delicious, delicious character. He carries a great power within him and plays a certain role in the school, a role of never-do-well Hellion, good for brawling and whoring and whatever else young aristocrats are expected to do. On the other hand, when he isn't in the public eye, he is a clever, studious boy desperately trying to find a cure for his family curse. A curse which already took his father's life and made his cousin insane.


Kiram more and more enamoured with his roommate, joins him in his search for cure and opens a whole can of worms, when that curse turns its eye on him as well.


The two books span between Sagrada Academy and Kiram's home, where two starcrossed lovers try to stop the curse, save Javier's family and determine their own path which would break all the norms of both of their societies.


I find these books simply adorable. The first chapter or two is a bit clumsy, but it gets better and better, and the ending is absolutely fabulous. Recommended to the fans of Grace Draven, C.S. Pacat, Sherry Thomas and Maria V. Snyder. It's young adult m/m fantasy romance. ( )