Death Hymns of Homara by Zamil Akhtar
Blurb:
Ah, traveler… come closer. Sit by the fire. Hear my story.
Once, I was a khazi — a holy warrior sworn to the tenets of my faith. But the gods cursed me with an unnatural hunger for blood. So I hunted the wicked, telling myself that if I killed only the deserving, I could still be a righteous man.
One night, I was hunting a woman who murdered children.
She delayed her end by telling me stories. Of mad sultans and eldritch abominations. Of fallen angels and doomed cities. And with every tale, I began to wonder whether I was her executioner — or her audience.
Inspired by gnostic mythology and rich with the wonder of the Arabian Nights, Death Hymns of Homara is a tale of cursed saints, biblically accurate angels, and the human cost of divine meddling.
Death Hymns of Homara is a standalone novel set in the world of Gunmetal Gods.
Review:
“Sometimes the straight path is a maze.”
Death Hymns of Homara is a standalone novel within the Gunmetal Gods series. The story takes place 550 years before the events of Gunmetal Gods and can be read at any point during your journey through this captivating creation of grimdark fantasy and cosmic horror.
This series holds a place among my all-time favourites, as Akhtar writes with a skill bordering on sorcery when it comes to mesmerizing the reader. Each book in the series has been an overwhelmingly enjoyable experience, and this standalone is no exception.
Be warned: Death Hymns of Homara offers a terrifying, gripping view of humanity through deeply complex characters and the choices they make amid chaos and torment. How many versions of ourselves are there, and what purpose do they serve? What compels us, and how do we live with ourselves after untold suffering and deterioration? These are just a few of the nuanced questions that arise within the book.
“Nothing should linger too long, for that is a curse. Death releases, refreshes, renews.”
The dark fantasy and horror elements prove hauntingly effective, often in the form of brutal death and destruction, heart-wrenching betrayals, and unnerving mysteries that seem to multiply like sewer rats. Akhtar consistently delivers top-quality work through expressive prose, steady character and plot development, and extensive world-building, to name a few.
The story draws inspiration from The Arabian Nights in a way that perfectly captures the enchanting essence of the classic collection. The topics and structure of events lead to a seamless absorption of a story within a story, granting the reader a scope of engagement that can be difficult to pull off.
Throughout the series, the theme of religion and its role in life remains central to the larger narrative. Death Hymns of Homara shines an even brighter light on the dynamic between faith, ambition, passion, and survival. Witnessing the lengths characters go to while working this dynamic, all while struggling to justify their choices, brings a level of immersion that feels uncomfortably relatable. When combined with the enthralling first-person narrative and heavy inspiration from history and classic literature, it’s truly a wonder how Akhtar is able to mould such daunting and arguably cumbersome topics into a work that feels so rich, unique, and compelling.
I cannot understate the level of impact this series hits with. For those brave enough to venture through these pages, be sure to find a clear, inviting wall to stare blankly at afterward, as the dread dissipates and the mind sifts through emotional turmoil.
I highly recommend Death Hymns of Homara, as well as the wider series, for fans of existential grimdark and horror. Zamil Akhtar is a name that easily belongs in the same category as George R. R. Martin and Steven Erikson.
