They were prevalent and played key major roles to the plot. My favorite thing about this was definitely how the gods were not just some “higher” presence. Also, thankfully, there was no unnecessary romance included here. The twists and turns were totally unexpected and surprising, and higher stakes were at play.

With its intriguing plot, on-point world building, well-detailed magic system, and interesting characters, I had this constant feeling to know about it more. It has been a long time since I read a book that completely sucked me in. However, on her journey, she slowly unravelled and learned the truths about the gods, and her deep-rooted beliefs and devotion began to waver. Now, she seemed to be the last Eangi priestess, she went to find the traveler to fulfill her goddess’s command and win her favor. When she was gone and praying for forgiveness, her village was slaughtered. Unable to follow Eang’s command to kill a traveler, Hessa was banished as a priestess. Blessed with their goddess’s fire, they were known as fierce warriors who could turn their enemies’ bones to dust with their scream. The story followed Hessa, an Eangi warrior priestess of the Goddess of War. Set in a rich Viking fantasy world brimming with fickle gods, magic, and warrior priestesses, I reveled and lost myself in this enthralling novel. Holy smoke! I wasn’t expecting to get an early access of one of my anticipated reads this year. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my known. And they’re about to wake up.Ī big thanks to Titan Books for the digital galley of this book thru Netgalley. Bigger, older powers slumber beneath the surface of her world. Thrust into a battle between the gods of the Old World and the New, Hessa realizes there is far more on the line than securing a life beyond her own death.

Soon Hessa’s trust in her goddess weakens with every unheeded prayer. But her journey reveals a harrowing truth: the gods are dying and the High Halls of the afterlife are fading. As clans from the north and legionaries from the south tear through her homeland, slaughtering everyone in their path, Hessa strives to win back her goddess’ favour.īeset by zealot soldiers, deceitful gods, and newly-awakened demons at every turn, Hessa burns her path towards redemption and revenge.

Grieving and alone, Hessa – the last Eangi – must find the traveller, atone for her weakness and secure her place with her loved ones in the High Halls. While she is gone, raiders raze her village and obliterate the Eangi priesthood. Banished for disobeying her goddess’s command to murder a traveller, she prays for forgiveness alone on a mountainside. Hessa is an Eangi: a warrior priestess of the Goddess of War, with the power to turn an enemy’s bones to dust with a scream. Publishing Date: January 19th, 2021 by Titan BooksĪn epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war.

Hall of smoke