Roland Hesmondhalgh invites readers into a vast, unsettling afterlife in Tracing Inferno: A Myrmecoleon Novel. Blending fierce action with classical symbolism, the story turns a military assignment into a profound spiritual journey. Every circle brings fresh danger, strange beauty, and questions that resist easy answers.
A Mission Where Angels Fear to Tread
The Myrmecoleon is dead. Only memories remain, along with the immense shadow he cast across the world. For the powers governing Endeavor, memories offer little certainty. Even Heaven and Hell require proof of death, and Endeavor has been entrusted with providing it.
That demand falls upon Corporal Zambrano, a young agnostic serving in Endeavor’s military. Pulled abruptly from sleep, he receives an extraordinary order: carry a mysterious parcel to the bottom of Hell, alone. The box is protected by locks, sigils, and layers of secrecy. Inside rests something unspeakable, an object whose existence proves that the Myrmecoleon has truly died.
Zambrano must transport it through a realm that even Angels fear to enter.
His path leads through the nine circles of Hell, where he encounters diverse shades, legendary demons, and forces responsible for governing the afterlife. Each confrontation tests his endurance and reshapes his understanding of power, suffering, faith, and the human spirit. Answers wait beneath the ashes, although discovering them raises another concern: should every hidden truth be brought into the light?
At the journey’s heart lies one haunting question. What does it truly mean to sin in the eyes of God?
Classical Foundations Meet Fantasy Action
At just over 181,000 words and 635 pages in a standard 5-by-8-inch format, Tracing Inferno is a substantial fantasy epic. Readers receive an expansive adventure filled with memorable characters, philosophical tension, and vivid action.
Roland’s background in mythological studies gives the setting an unusual level of authenticity. The geography and structure of Hell closely follow Dante Alighieri’s original Divine Comedy. Before publication, excerpts were sent to a Harvard scholar who teaches courses on Dante. The scholar checked the material for accuracy and endorsed the novel.
That scholarly foundation never turns the experience into a lecture. Readers absorb elements of classical literature while following an entertaining and dangerous quest. Each circle of Hell also features a corresponding sketch, including individual illustrations for the three rings of the Seventh Circle. These images help readers visualize the landscapes encountered during Zambrano’s descent.
The novel encourages different interpretations of its scenes and characters. Symbolism remains central, while entertainment guides the experience. Its blend of mythology, fantasy, philosophy, and adventure allows the story to speak differently to every reader.
The word “Myrmecoleon” comes from an old medieval bestiary entry. Its modern Greek translation is “ant-lion,” a creature traditionally depicted as an early Christian yin-yang figure. This history supports the wider series theme of dichotomy and the struggles created by opposing extremes. Action and character development still remain the narrative’s driving forces.
A Story Told Across Two Timelines
The book uses an alternating chapter structure that gives its epic scale a steady rhythm. Odd-numbered chapters take place after the central journey, with Zambrano being interrogated about what happened. Even-numbered chapters present his firsthand account of traveling through Hell.
This arrangement lets readers recover between intense stages of the descent. It also creates suspense, since the interrogation reveals that Zambrano survived while leaving the cost and consequences uncertain.
Tracing Inferno works as a standalone novel, making it accessible to newcomers. It also shares a literary universe with Roland’s ongoing science fiction and fantasy series, The Myrmecoleon. Both the novel and the wider series are available on Amazon.
About the Author
Roland spent his formative years moving between military bases in the United States and abroad as his family followed his father’s postings. His style grew from classical training, self-directed study, and experience across multiple forms of media.
A trained writer, inherent dreamer, and repentant journalist, he’s worked with national outlets, broadcast media, and commercial clients. He earned a B.S. in Multiplatform Journalism from the Florida Institute of Technology, an M.P.S. in Communications and Journalism from Georgetown University, and an M.A. through Harvard’s creative writing program.
Now based in Tokyo, Japan, Roland writes science fiction, fantasy, contemporary stories, and nonfiction. He enjoys working without creative guide rails, allowing characters and events to determine what comes next. He also wages a spirited battle against his formidable hirekatsu addiction.
A Descent Worth Taking
Tracing Inferno offers a demanding journey filled with monsters, moral uncertainty, humor, and human resilience. It rewards readers who love layered meanings while delivering the momentum expected from a fantasy adventure. By the final circle, Zambrano’s mission may leave them questioning sin, authority, and which truths deserve to survive.