heathengray's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If Pullman's His Dark Materials and Moorcock's Elric Saga had a baby, you might get something like Godkiller.
I didn't realise Godkiller was "Young Adult", which apparently just means the characters are quite edgy, swear, and occasionally have just-shy-of-graphic sex. I must say I really rather enjoyed it.
It begins with our main character Kissen being sacrificed, and follows her, years later, taking on the role of protector of another wayward girl (and her attached Pullman's dæmon, which can change shape and size and act autonomously, and obviously just has its serial number shaved off). The cold, dark world of Godkiller is split between theists and royalists - the king a few years ago decreeing that all gods must die, starting and end an war to enforce his will. This creates an interesting environment to find kind and cruel characters on both sides of the secular divide. The gods manifesting themselves reminds me more for their overt self-insertion in Micheal Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories, rather than the more comic Terry Pratchett's Discworld, especially as they can be overcome through training, will, pacts, and luck. There is a very interesting biology to the gods here, their growth and life cycle can result in the razing of continents, or the collecting of odd trinkets as tribute for their shrines. I hope this is explored further with another book.
The cast of characters is varied, different races coming from across this fantasy Pangea, with gay and lesbians represented sparingly, though I wish they in particular had more backstory, as a person's orientation ends up just lamp-shaded, rather than fitting into the fabric of their character and world. Kissen (who prefers women, but mainly because she doesn't prefer getting pregnant), has the most backstory but is such an edgy (also literally, she has edges sown into her clothes) Mary Sue, she comes across as a medieval Batman. Nothing gets in her way. And in a refreshing way for a female character, this is never even questioned by the foes she comes across - a person holding a sword is never to be toyed with. There are times I wish her dialog was a bit more terse, however, as she will often say something really cool, then ruin it up with some redundant exposition. The descriptions of her rituals at camp, including tending to her disability, and the the god-killing tools available to her are fascinating, if detailed, glimpses we usually don't see in fantasy beyond "They camped for the evening". The descriptions of foods and their preparations alone seem almost written for the Hobbit demographic.
If you're looking for a tragic fantasy tale that's lighter on plot, but heavier in how people prepare their travel dumplings and snacks, then please give this a read. Like Kissen, Godkiller punches above her weight.
I personally hope I've joined this series as it's about to take off.
I didn't realise Godkiller was "Young Adult", which apparently just means the characters are quite edgy, swear, and occasionally have just-shy-of-graphic sex. I must say I really rather enjoyed it.
It begins with our main character Kissen being sacrificed, and follows her, years later, taking on the role of protector of another wayward girl (and her attached Pullman's dæmon, which can change shape and size and act autonomously, and obviously just has its serial number shaved off). The cold, dark world of Godkiller is split between theists and royalists - the king a few years ago decreeing that all gods must die, starting and end an war to enforce his will. This creates an interesting environment to find kind and cruel characters on both sides of the secular divide. The gods manifesting themselves reminds me more for their overt self-insertion in Micheal Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories, rather than the more comic Terry Pratchett's Discworld, especially as they can be overcome through training, will, pacts, and luck. There is a very interesting biology to the gods here, their growth and life cycle can result in the razing of continents, or the collecting of odd trinkets as tribute for their shrines. I hope this is explored further with another book.
The cast of characters is varied, different races coming from across this fantasy Pangea, with gay and lesbians represented sparingly, though I wish they in particular had more backstory, as a person's orientation ends up just lamp-shaded, rather than fitting into the fabric of their character and world. Kissen (who prefers women, but mainly because she doesn't prefer getting pregnant), has the most backstory but is such an edgy (also literally, she has edges sown into her clothes) Mary Sue, she comes across as a medieval Batman. Nothing gets in her way. And in a refreshing way for a female character, this is never even questioned by the foes she comes across - a person holding a sword is never to be toyed with. There are times I wish her dialog was a bit more terse, however, as she will often say something really cool, then ruin it up with some redundant exposition. The descriptions of her rituals at camp, including tending to her disability, and the the god-killing tools available to her are fascinating, if detailed, glimpses we usually don't see in fantasy beyond "They camped for the evening". The descriptions of foods and their preparations alone seem almost written for the Hobbit demographic.
If you're looking for a tragic fantasy tale that's lighter on plot, but heavier in how people prepare their travel dumplings and snacks, then please give this a read. Like Kissen, Godkiller punches above her weight.
I personally hope I've joined this series as it's about to take off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
The worst aspects ars towards the startSpoiler
mainly with Kissen and her family being offered as sacrificesshannnne's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War, Murder, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Police brutality, and Abandonment
miles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An absolute banger of a debut novel and first installment in what is likely to be a very exciting new fantasy series with wonderful characters and brilliant world-building.
The novel is written in alternating POV chapters between the four main characters: Kissen, a godkiller and badass extraordinaire who doesn't take shit from anyone; Elogast, a knight turned baker with a fierce and loyal love towards his king and friend; Inara, a young noble who has been dealt a terrible hand in life and is seeking aid; and Skediceth, a shrine-less god who happens to be bound to Inara though neither of them know or understand why. Their paths eventually cross and they set out on a pilgrim together, each for reasons of their own. As often happens when people are stuck together for a prolonged amount of time, they learn to care for and about each other, living and fighting together.
There is much story left to be told since this is only just the beginning, and I cannot wait to see where Kaner takes these amazing characters, but so far it's been an absolute joy. Each character has their flaws and moments that make you want to scream at them and kick them, but that's the fun of a well-rounded, well-written character. I have become fiercely attached to all of them. The gods themselves and the way their powers work in Kaner's world is certainly a fascinating one and I, for one, adore that many of the gods, Skedi included, are a whacky mix of animal parts thrown together - exactly the kind of biblically accurate stuff I love to see.
I am incredibly excited for the next installment of this series!
The novel is written in alternating POV chapters between the four main characters: Kissen, a godkiller and badass extraordinaire who doesn't take shit from anyone; Elogast, a knight turned baker with a fierce and loyal love towards his king and friend; Inara, a young noble who has been dealt a terrible hand in life and is seeking aid; and Skediceth, a shrine-less god who happens to be bound to Inara though neither of them know or understand why. Their paths eventually cross and they set out on a pilgrim together, each for reasons of their own. As often happens when people are stuck together for a prolonged amount of time, they learn to care for and about each other, living and fighting together.
There is much story left to be told since this is only just the beginning, and I cannot wait to see where Kaner takes these amazing characters, but so far it's been an absolute joy. Each character has their flaws and moments that make you want to scream at them and kick them, but that's the fun of a well-rounded, well-written character. I have become fiercely attached to all of them. The gods themselves and the way their powers work in Kaner's world is certainly a fascinating one and I, for one, adore that many of the gods, Skedi included, are a whacky mix of animal parts thrown together - exactly the kind of biblically accurate stuff I love to see.
I am incredibly excited for the next installment of this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
themelleh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War, Sexual content, Genocide, and Grief
bookswithbethx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Death, War, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, and Grief
silesh's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Very interesting read. not the biggest fan of , but other than that I thouroughly enjoyed this book and I'm excited for a second part to follow. There are so many questions that I can't wait to have answered!
Spoiler
the romance part, which felt a little unnecessary
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Body horror, Murder, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Sexual content
micheala's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
For some reason when I started reading this book I was convinced that it was a standalone, and I was worried with the pacing. Turns out it's book 1 in a trilogy.
This book is fairy short (especially for an adult fantasy) at only 288 pages, so the fact that it took til page 92 (32%) to get to the end of the blurb, wasn't my favourite. If your going to have a slow paced book, I personally prefer that it be a much longer book - like 500+ pages.
I also didn't necessarily love that we have 3.5 POVs (3 main ones and 1 occasional) Like, yes they all felt like they were adding to the story, but again with it being so short, it felt like too much - particularly once they were travelling as a group.
I did really enjoy the worldbuilding and character progression - we had one character I didn't like in the beginning that grew on me, and another that I liked, then hated, then started to warm back up to by the end.
I am a little concerned for the second book, in that if it's paced in the same way I don't think we are going to get any plot resolutions. And if we don't get any plot resolutions, then why is it a trilogy and not a duology? Essentially, if the books are going to be smaller than average, you really need to sell me on why there needs to be more smaller books then fewer longer books.
This book is fairy short (especially for an adult fantasy) at only 288 pages, so the fact that it took til page 92 (32%) to get to the end of the blurb, wasn't my favourite. If your going to have a slow paced book, I personally prefer that it be a much longer book - like 500+ pages.
I also didn't necessarily love that we have 3.5 POVs (3 main ones and 1 occasional) Like, yes they all felt like they were adding to the story, but again with it being so short, it felt like too much - particularly once they were travelling as a group.
I did really enjoy the worldbuilding and character progression - we had one character I didn't like in the beginning that grew on me, and another that I liked, then hated, then started to warm back up to by the end.
I am a little concerned for the second book, in that if it's paced in the same way I don't think we are going to get any plot resolutions. And if we don't get any plot resolutions, then why is it a trilogy and not a duology? Essentially, if the books are going to be smaller than average, you really need to sell me on why there needs to be more smaller books then fewer longer books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Genocide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Kidnapping
miraclesnow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow wow.
This was a surprising book. I wasn’t sure how much I would connect to the characters, which was obviously the only draw as most of this book is just getting to know them and understanding their place in this world. Each character is very flawed, and this first book was obviously them getting over their growing pains being around other people. Each one has been alone in their own way. It wasn’t too slow as they always were actively chasing their goals and doing something, but you have to be ok with the journey and not the destination.
And boy was the destination something. Backstabs, betrayals, another b word I can’t mention because that would be a spoiler!
I think with what we’ve been given so far, and with some more pages (Cmon Hannah, the next book is gonna have to be chonkier) I think we’re seeing the start of a very interesting new fantasy series.
I hope with all my heart it grows to be bigger and more powerful than Skedi is. This review will be my offering for that wish to come to fruition.
And I gotta love me a badass bi queen.
(I put in child abuse & emotional abuse as a catch all for. It was deeply disturbing to me and the only moment I feel that was truly deserving of the adult categorization.)
This was a surprising book. I wasn’t sure how much I would connect to the characters, which was obviously the only draw as most of this book is just getting to know them and understanding their place in this world. Each character is very flawed, and this first book was obviously them getting over their growing pains being around other people. Each one has been alone in their own way. It wasn’t too slow as they always were actively chasing their goals and doing something, but you have to be ok with the journey and not the destination.
And boy was the destination something. Backstabs, betrayals, another b word I can’t mention because that would be a spoiler!
I think with what we’ve been given so far, and with some more pages (Cmon Hannah, the next book is gonna have to be chonkier) I think we’re seeing the start of a very interesting new fantasy series.
I hope with all my heart it grows to be bigger and more powerful than Skedi is. This review will be my offering for that wish to come to fruition.
And I gotta love me a badass
Spoiler
para-abled(I put in child abuse & emotional abuse as a catch all for
Spoiler
manipulation of a minor via magic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Sexual content
bookswithjess's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: War, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Ableism, and Misogyny
midnight_rose_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Godkiller is the first book in a trilogy by Hannah Kaner. It is about a woman named Kissen who becomes a Godkiller to avenge her family. When she was a girl they were killed when some of the people of her village sacrificed them to the fire god, which you learn about in the prologue. Inara Craier is a young noble girl from Lesscia who is inexplicably bound to the god of white lies named Skediceth. She sets out to her villages town to find a ‘veiga’ (which is what Godkillers are called in this world), to help her separate herself from the god. Skedi themself wants to seek a shrine and find followers to love them. Elogast is a former knight turned baker who has guilt he couldn’t completely help his friend who was the prince turned king Arren, in the war with the gods. All of the characters converge with each other and set off together to Blenraden the place where the godwar was fought each hoping to find the answers they seek there.
Godkiller is an impressive debut to a promising new trilogy. Those who love Norse-esque epic fantasy, with a focus on character will find much to like here. Also cheers to Hannah for telling a effective first installment of this story, but not having the book be doorstopper long.
Godkiller is an impressive debut to a promising new trilogy. Those who love Norse-esque epic fantasy, with a focus on character will find much to like here. Also cheers to Hannah for telling a effective first installment of this story, but not having the book be doorstopper long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content