Trampling in the Land of Woe

“...The compelling, instant attraction of these opening lines also makes it quite evident that Trampling in the Land of Woe is especially strong in metaphor and description. This means that readers used to a quick, predictable action format in either their sci-fi or thriller reads are in for quite a different, more literary and complex approach, here. William LJ Galaini takes the time to craft such evocative scenarios and build tension surrounding this steampunk world of New Dis. This approach is testimony to his ability to reach readers through examinations of life in Hell that go beyond the usual discourses and character-centric focuses. Readers will find his trip through Hell replete with not just struggle, but spiritual and philosophical revelations about the nature of good, evil, and choice.

“The tension and action are exceptionally well done, weaving a fast pace into these intellectual and religious inspections to keep readers involved in the quest as much as in the questions and answers that arise during the course of Hephaestion’s journey. From maps that lead them through samurais and other threats to changing scenarios that include opulent, massive palaces and Alexander’s rediscovery of his love for Hephaestion in this new world, readers receive an intriguing adventure that is both fast-paced and thought-provoking. While the romance between Alexander and Hephaestion and their journey through Hell won’t appeal to those who eschew either homosexual relationships or afterlife inspections, it will delight sci-fi and thriller readers looking for vivid description, nonstop action, and a gripping story line tempered with spiritual inspection.

“Fantasy readers looking for something different—say, Dante on steroids—will find everything they are looking for right up to the unexpected conclusion in Trampling in the Land of Woe.”

Author William Galaini has crafted a superb work of religious fantasy fiction with plenty of interesting twists, steampunk stylings, and high-octane action moments to offer its readers. This is a work that holds both style and substance, balancing the lore and dangers of this newly imagined industrial hellscape against the emotive central focus of the novel, and the journey of protagonist Hephaestion to rescue the man he loves. What results is a well planned, well plotted, and cinematically written exploration of many interesting concepts, which also has a fiercely beating heart and a very relatable personal story at its burning core. Overall, I would highly recommend Trampling in the Land of Woe to fans of genre-bending books, clever re-imaginings of the Inferno, and for dark fantasy enthusiasts everywhere.

Fast-paced, action-packed, and weirdly entertaining, Trampling in the Land of Woe feels like a cannon blast of a start to a series with a highly unique premise. William Galaini wastes no time setting things in motion as the plot moves at a blistering pace right off the bat with Hephaestion aboard The Bonny Sweetheart. The characters feel fully fleshed-out and relatable as their motives seem easily discernable from their back stories. William Galaini uses multiple flashback scenes to provide considerable background information about Hephaestion's past that helps to showcase the motives behind his actions. Yitz, Hephaestion, Adina, and Boudica were my favorite characters in the story. I found a surprising amount of humor spread throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed Trampling in the Land of Woe. I would recommend it to fans of action-packed fantasy novels.

If Dante’s The Divine Comedy was written by a modern writer, it would be very close to this. As a literature student, The Divine Comedy inspired me, and this novel reignited the inspiration in me. Hephaestion’s single-minded determination to find Alexander and get him out of hell is the driving force of the story. His own journey out of Purgatory is difficult; he is trampled by attacks from Jesuits and the Hellbeasts, but he wants to get Alexander out of there as soon as possible. Author William Galaini set the tone of the story from the very beginning with the dialogues between Hephaestion and Ulfric. The plot moves at a steady pace, and you will also notice how the dialogues play a vital role in the story. They give an insight into the minds of the characters and what they are feeling. The descriptions of hell and Hephaestion’s journey to get to Alexander are incredible. Galaini pushes the senses of readers, gives them points of interest, and makes sure they stay with Hephaestion until the end.

“Pulling from different areas of history and mythology, author William LJ Galaini takes his audience on a wild journey across time and religion as they follow Hephaestion on his quest to save Alexander [the Great] from a torturous afterlife. Trampling in the Land of Woe is the first novel in the ‘Hellbound’ series. Starting off a series with a bang is always a challenge, but author William Galaini has tackled that challenge and offers readers a strong start to a fun and interesting series.

“Quill says: ‘An adventurer is certain to find something to enjoy about this novel as they traverse Hell alongside Hephaestus in search of Alexander.’”