The Hanging City Summary, Characters and Themes
The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg is a dark, enchanting fantasy that blends myth, survival, and slow-burn transformation.
Set in a world where trolls dwell beneath a majestic bridge in a hidden vertical city called Cagmar, the story follows Lark—a fugitive human with a traumatic past and a terrifying gift: the power to instill fear. Fleeing a life of pain, she stumbles into a society that distrusts her but may be her only hope. As she claws her way toward acceptance among the trolls, she must face external threats and inner demons to find freedom, belonging, and her own kind of power.
Summary
The Hanging City begins with a bard’s tale: a man named Paca once crossed the legendary Empyrean Bridge in search of fortune and love, tricking trolls with clever words and invoking an ancient troll oath.
This legend sets the tone for what’s to come—a blend of folklore and high-stakes reality.
Years later, Lark, once known as Calia Thellele, arrives desperate at that very same bridge. Starving, hunted, and carrying emotional scars from an abusive upbringing, she walks across the ancient span seeking refuge in the mythical troll city said to lie beneath it.
When confronted by trolls, she calls out the oath from the bard’s tale—more in desperation than belief—and miraculously, it works. They spare her life and blindfold her, carrying her into the hidden world of Cagmar.
Cagmar is a sprawling, tiered city built into the canyon under the bridge—raw, strange, and brutal.
Brought before the ruling council, Lark pleads for sanctuary. Initially dismissed, she reveals her secret: a mysterious ability to cause overwhelming fear in others. When she demonstrates it on the troll leader Qequan, the council is shaken enough to let her stay—conditionally.
She’s assigned a mentor, Unach, a gruff, battle-hardened slayer who clearly doesn’t want her around.
What follows is a gritty initiation into troll society. Lark is treated with suspicion and disdain, but through relentless training and her contributions during monster hunts, she begins to carve out a fragile place.
Trolls battle dangerous creatures that dwell in the deep, and Lark’s fear-inducing power proves useful—even lifesaving. Slowly, grudgingly, she earns some respect.
She observes political tensions in Cagmar—especially from Grodd, a powerful troll who loathes humans and resents Lark’s presence. Meanwhile, her relationship with Unach evolves from pure hostility to reluctant mentorship. In small moments, Unach opens up, revealing her own history of loss and survival.
Lark begins to feel, for the first time, that she might not just be surviving—she might be becoming someone stronger.
Everything changes after an outside raid threatens Cagmar. Lark fights bravely, pushing her power to its limits, and is recognized by the council with provisional warrior status. But Grodd challenges her, demanding trial-by-combat. In a brutal fight that tests all her resolve, Lark defeats him—not through strength, but by weaponizing fear and strategy.
Her victory silences some critics and raises her standing, but the threat is far from over.
Whispers grow of a larger force approaching the canyon—humans, possibly led by her cruel father. Lark discovers that Grodd is working with them, aiming to reshape Cagmar by betraying it. She exposes the plot and narrowly escapes capture, warning the council just in time.
As war looms, Lark is promoted and trusted to help plan Cagmar’s defense. She leads the trolls into battle, using her fear power to disorient enemies and turn the tide.
In a climactic confrontation, she faces her father. Instead of vengeance, she defeats him with emotional force and lets the trolls handle the rest.
The battle ends in hard-won victory, though not without loss. Trolls Lark came to care for are injured or gone, and the city begins to rethink its stance on outsiders. In the aftermath, Lark is granted full citizenship. Unach, in her gruff way, expresses pride. Lark finally returns to the bridge—not as a fugitive, but as a warrior of Cagmar.
She watches the stars and reflects on how far she’s come—from hunted girl to slayer, from outcast to someone with a home.
The hanging city below the bridge didn’t just take her in—it remade her.

Characters
Lark
Lark, originally named Calia Thellele, is the protagonist whose journey of survival, growth, and acceptance forms the heart of the narrative.
She begins as a desperate, traumatized young woman fleeing from an abusive past, hoping to find refuge in the mysterious city of Cagmar. Lark’s ability to invoke intense fear in others becomes both her survival tool and her strength.
Initially, her power isolates her, as the trolls view her with suspicion, but over time, Lark proves herself as both a capable fighter and a person of emotional depth. Throughout the book, Lark’s internal struggle with her past trauma and her attempts to forge a new identity are central themes.
Her relationship with the trolls, particularly with Unach and the council, is a journey of mistrust and, eventually, respect. By the end of the story, Lark has evolved from a hunted fugitive into a warrior who earns her place and a sense of belonging in the troll city, overcoming prejudice and personal demons.
Unach
Unach, a hardened and formidable troll warrior, plays a critical role in Lark’s development. Though initially skeptical and cold toward Lark, Unach becomes her mentor and ally.
He is a character shaped by his own experiences of hardship and loss, which makes him distrustful and protective.
His tough exterior conceals a deeper, more vulnerable side, and through his relationship with Lark, Unach begins to open up, sharing moments of camaraderie and even pride in her achievements. Their dynamic evolves from one of professional distance to one of mutual respect.
Unach’s complexity is revealed not only through his role as Lark’s guide but also through his internal conflict and the rare moments of emotional warmth that emerge as he comes to understand Lark’s determination.
Grodd
Grodd is a powerful and aggressive troll who represents the conservative, isolationist faction of the troll society. He opposes Lark’s presence in Cagmar from the outset, viewing her as an outsider and a threat to the established order.
His hatred toward humans and Lark is rooted in a deep-seated fear of change and a belief in troll superiority. Grodd’s antagonism towards Lark culminates in a public trial-by-combat, which serves as a defining moment for both characters.
Despite his role as an antagonist, Grodd is a tragic figure, embodying the fear and resistance to change that permeates the troll society. His defeat by Lark in combat is a pivotal moment in the story, symbolizing not just Lark’s personal victory but also the broader theme of breaking free from rigid, oppressive traditions.
Qequan
Qequan is the leader of Cagmar and one of the few characters who sees potential in Lark from the beginning.
As a wise and pragmatic leader, he balances the conflicting interests within troll society and makes the difficult decision to allow Lark to stay in Cagmar. Throughout the book, Qequan serves as a mentor figure to Lark, offering her guidance and challenging her to prove herself.
He is deeply involved in the political intricacies of troll society, and his leadership is tested by both internal and external threats. Qequan’s support for Lark signifies his willingness to embrace change, even when it challenges the traditions of his people.
However, his leadership is not without flaws, and he must navigate the tensions within the council, especially with Grodd’s growing rebellion.
Troff
Troff is another troll who becomes one of Lark’s companions. While initially skeptical of Lark’s abilities, Troff’s attitude softens as he witnesses her bravery and tactical mind in action.
Troff is a more practical and down-to-earth character compared to Unach, and he helps Lark in various ways, from guiding her through Cagmar to assisting in combat missions.
While his role is more supportive than central, Troff represents the pragmatic aspect of the troll warriors, recognizing the value in Lark’s unique powers, even if they initially seemed foreign to their culture.
Themes
The Struggle for Identity and Self-Worth in a Harsh, Prejudiced Society
The Hanging City revolves around Lark’s struggle to carve out her own identity and find self-worth in a society that sees her as an outsider. Born into a world that has rejected her because of her origins and her powers, Lark’s journey is marked by an ongoing battle to define herself beyond her traumatic past.
Her initial arrival in Cagmar and subsequent struggle to fit into troll society highlights the intense prejudice she faces not just as a human, but as someone with a unique, potentially dangerous power. While trolls are wary of her abilities and resentful of her presence, Lark’s persistence and gradual proving of her value force her peers to see her as more than just an anomaly.
In doing so, she manages to transform herself from a frightened fugitive to a respected warrior, learning along the way that self-worth must come from within. Gaining the approval of others, particularly when rooted in deep bias, is not as important as finding one’s own sense of purpose and strength.
The Burden of Trauma and the Quest for Redemption
Lark’s journey is also deeply connected to the theme of trauma and its long-lasting effects on the human psyche. Throughout the story, she grapples with the weight of her painful past, including the abuse she suffered, the death of loved ones, and the psychological scars left by her father’s violent actions.
Her traumatic memories frequently resurface, influencing her behavior, relationships, and decision-making. The tension between Lark’s desire for peace and the violent nature of her surroundings creates a complex inner conflict.
She initially seeks refuge in Cagmar not only to escape her father but to escape the psychological turmoil that has defined her existence. However, as she grows stronger, her quest for redemption evolves beyond simply escaping her past to embracing the difficult task of overcoming it.
By facing her trauma head-on—particularly in her ultimate confrontation with her father—Lark is able to gain closure and heal. This makes her a symbol of resilience and the possibility of redemption even after the most harrowing experiences.
Political Intrigue and the Complexity of Leadership in Isolated Societies
The city of Cagmar, with its rigid political structure and the complicated dynamics between its troll factions, offers a rich exploration of leadership, power struggles, and political intrigue. The tensions within the council, particularly between figures like Grodd and Qequan, reveal a society where power is not just about brute strength, but also about navigating delicate alliances and rivalries.
Lark’s rise to prominence in Cagmar is not only a reflection of her individual strengths but also an indirect commentary on the complexities of leadership in isolated or oppressed communities. Cagmar itself is a microcosm of broader societal issues—prejudices, power dynamics, and the fight for control.
The council’s internal conflict over Lark’s place in their society reflects the larger question of whether embracing diversity and accepting outsiders can strengthen or weaken a community. In this way, the novel reflects on how political systems, even those based on ancient traditions and rigid rules, must adapt to survive, especially when faced with external threats and internal fractures.
The Role of Fear as Both a Weapon and a Means of Survival
Fear, both as a personal experience and as a tool for control, plays a central role in the novel. Lark’s unique ability to induce fear in others—whether to protect herself or strategically manipulate situations—acts as a metaphor for the broader theme of fear’s dual nature.
On one hand, fear is an essential part of survival in the brutal, hostile world of Cagmar. Lark’s power allows her to gain control over potentially dangerous situations, proving that fear can be a useful weapon.
On the other hand, fear is also shown as something that can undermine relationships, sow distrust, and destabilize communities. The fear Lark feels from the world around her—the constant fear of rejection, of betrayal, and of violence—drives much of her actions.
However, by learning to control her own fear and use it for more than self-preservation, she shifts the narrative around fear, demonstrating that it can be wielded as a means of empowerment, not just as a tool of submission.
Evolution of Cultural Norms
The conflict between tradition and change is explored throughout Lark’s journey in Cagmar, where her presence as a human and her unconventional abilities challenge the long-standing norms of troll society. The trolls’ rigid adherence to their old ways, particularly their view of humans and the rules of engagement with the outside world, creates a significant barrier for Lark to overcome.
The arrival of a human in the sacred space of Cagmar threatens to disrupt not only the trolls’ established hierarchy but also their very identity as a species. Yet, as Lark proves her worth, the society begins to shift, suggesting that change is not only inevitable but also necessary for survival.
This theme resonates beyond the confines of Cagmar, touching on broader social issues such as the need to adapt to evolving circumstances and the resistance faced by those who challenge the status quo.
By the end of the novel, Lark’s acceptance into troll society symbolizes the potential for progress and the breaking of barriers that limit a society’s growth and ability to thrive.