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mikathereviewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Summary of my review
Nice vocabulary and wording. Fantasy book with made-up words and gods with unique forms. Plot twist and complex and deep character relationships and development. Ups and downs on characters relationships, making them feel more real. Relatable moments, platonic love. Small LGBT+ romance (side characters) and only mild romance throughout the book. No logic leak and medium-paced book. Sometimes slow-paced, too fast romance (making it also seem unnatural) and odd ending.
• • • •
In Depth Discussion/The Review
Likes:
Nice wording. Good vocabulary choice.
Example from the prologue: The rope sliced the delicate flesh between Kissen’s teeth, and blood poured thick and hot across her tongue. She growled and bit down hard, wrenching at her restraint. A shot of pain, a grinding in her gums, then a snap. The rope! The rope was loose, her canine still buried in it, ripped clean from her mouth.
Example 2: The flames changed. They twisted together, spinning up the walls, then plunging to the floor in a pillar of fire, sparks spinning out like snow. Laughter crackled in the smoke, harsh and delighted.
Every character has their own backstory that we get told when it's the right time and a lot of the backstories reveal why certain characters behave like they do and why the whole plot with the Gods is so important in this book.
As this if a fantasy book we also get to know a few made-up words like 'liln' and others. That shows that the author tried to connect the reader more with the world by adding a few extras like this.
Plot twist. Somewhat. It's a bit complex and while you read you might not notice it immediately, but a certain character develops and we see their true form which I think the author tried to make the character look evil even though they weren't. Most twists and complexity is really on the characters themselves than the plot.
Great character development and from a hate relationship to a friend relationship. One often sees the trope 'enemies to lovers' but rarely 'enemies to friends' and if you like that, this book is for you! There is definitely still romance, but mild in my opinion.
Most of the time I actually didn't like Kissen but there were some relatable moments I want to share
1) There was a reason she preferred travelling alone; most people were deeply annoying.
2) ‘Is this the time, you flapping fool?’ (when a character is making a stupid decision there is always another who speaks against it making us readers show that the writer/author did that on purpose and that the character who did the stupid thing had a reason)
Another thing I liked about Kissen was that she liked Inara. She was rude to her sometimes, but it showed that she cared for that little girl. Kissen saw herself in that helpless little girl and wanted to protect her for that reason. That made Kissen a bit more likeable for me.
Example: She had only known the kid half a month, but if anything happened to her, Kissen might happily commit a murder.
I love, LOVE the relationship between Inara and Skedi. It was so wholesome to read the whole time and most of the highlights I added for this book were actually just them together. Now let me explain; They have a strong bond and I am not only talking about an emotional bond but also a physical one. They always need to stay together. And that can be exhausting on the long run, but they managed to get closer and get a real friendship bond and they literally love eachother in a platonic way. Inara is, since she is a small girl, most of the time helpless but Skedi protects her and it's so cute!!
There are ups and downs on characters relationships throughout the book so I myself felt like I was on a rollercoaster when I read this book as not only enemies became friends but also friends became enemies. It was sometimes hard to watch honestly, but it made that book so unique as the author managed to change a relationship in a good reasonable manner and made us readers emotional connected to the characters more.
There were many tiny details that weren't that necessary for the character or world building but that made it more unique. Like how a curse looked like on someone's body or how the Gods looked like, or the way certain characters spoke in difficult situations. Especially the small hidden messages from Skedi that one only could understand if they read between the lines when he said or thought something.
I found no logic leak whatsoever. There was always an explanation for something.
Example: ‘What happened?’ He must not have been listening in the queue, wrapped up in his own problems; he hadn’t heard what the gossipers said.
Skediceth was my favourite character out of a simple reason; He felt the most unique and kind from the rest. Why? First of all his small form and true form are so different from eachother and it blew my brain out when I read it. Secondly, he seemed no matter what happened always the most kind and always gave me the feeling he thinks everything through and just tries to protect everyone. Thirdly, in my opinion his backstory and story throughout the book was the most sad and tragic one. And lastly, I didn't know how he truly felt and desired till the very end. He had the most complex character build and development and if one read between lines one would notice that he was also in a personal fight with himself and even though he was my favourite did some mistakes throughout this book.
Dislikes:
Kissen was rather rude than nice, for a protagonist. Good reasoning behind it, but personally her attitude bothered me when I read the book. (Especially as she was rather unkind to my favourite character and threatened to unalive him).
Example towards Inara: Somehow surprised to be addressed first, and so rudely.
Example Skedi: ‘You’ll what, kill me? That threat is getting a little old.’
Scene example (Inara tried to befriend someone and Kissen intervened): ‘Leave the girl be,’ said Kissen, and bared her teeth in a dangerous smile, then pulled Legs away. ‘And the horse.’
As mentioned above in my like list there is mild romance in this book. Many side characters have a relationship and some are even LGBT+, but that wasn't what bothered me, what actually bothered me was the love relationship with the main characters. I literally read that the girl said she will break his legs if he tried to seduce her just to see a sexual scene on the next page. It just made no sense. Especially with the personality of the girl. She was rather smart so I was surprised that she let it happen, even though she just protested against it.
The romance of the two main characters was so fast, from not liking to almost already having intercourse. I highlighted all the parts where they connected stronger and it wasn't that much (5 to be exact) until they did the 'act'. Perhaps it's 'cause I prefer slowburn but that romance just felt unnatural.
The book was a bit slow at times. Overall it had a medium pace, but sometimes slow.
The ending of the book felt like an open ending that doesn't need a sequel, but perhaps that's just me as I like books with open endings. Except 1 question/issue were all others answered/resolved so I felt satisfied with the ending. But it was a bit of an odd ending.
• • • •
Rating
How it works: Only everything that is lower than 9 gets reduced from the final rating. Depending on how strong it inflicted the overall enjoyment of reading it effects differently.
[ Story 9 / 10 ] > sometimes a bit slow-paced
[ Characters 10 / 10 ]
[ Triggering 2 / 10 ] > intercourse scene
[ Topic/Genre 8 / 10 ] > I reduce it regarding the romance part
[ Writing style 10 / 10 ]
[ Grammatic and spelling 10 / 10 ]
[ Ending 9 / 10 ] > odd ending
Final Rating
4/5
• • • •
Final thoughts/Questions
I wasn't sure if I should read this book as it was just recently added to my TBR list and there are some on that list since months, but I'm glad I read this book as I felt a great connection with Skediceth and the whole story itself was very interesting and special. Definitely reading the 2. book too!
Did you read this book? Let me know what you think of this book and my review!
Started the book: 03. June 2024
Finished the book: 04. June 2024
Wrote the review: 05. June 2024
Nice vocabulary and wording. Fantasy book with made-up words and gods with unique forms. Plot twist and complex and deep character relationships and development. Ups and downs on characters relationships, making them feel more real. Relatable moments, platonic love. Small LGBT+ romance (side characters) and only mild romance throughout the book. No logic leak and medium-paced book. Sometimes slow-paced, too fast romance (making it also seem unnatural) and odd ending.
• • • •
In Depth Discussion/The Review
Likes:
Nice wording. Good vocabulary choice.
Example from the prologue: The rope sliced the delicate flesh between Kissen’s teeth, and blood poured thick and hot across her tongue. She growled and bit down hard, wrenching at her restraint. A shot of pain, a grinding in her gums, then a snap. The rope! The rope was loose, her canine still buried in it, ripped clean from her mouth.
Example 2: The flames changed. They twisted together, spinning up the walls, then plunging to the floor in a pillar of fire, sparks spinning out like snow. Laughter crackled in the smoke, harsh and delighted.
Every character has their own backstory that we get told when it's the right time and a lot of the backstories reveal why certain characters behave like they do and why the whole plot with the Gods is so important in this book.
As this if a fantasy book we also get to know a few made-up words like 'liln' and others. That shows that the author tried to connect the reader more with the world by adding a few extras like this.
Plot twist. Somewhat. It's a bit complex and while you read you might not notice it immediately, but a certain character develops and we see their true form which I think the author tried to make the character look evil even though they weren't. Most twists and complexity is really on the characters themselves than the plot.
Great character development and from a hate relationship to a friend relationship. One often sees the trope 'enemies to lovers' but rarely 'enemies to friends' and if you like that, this book is for you! There is definitely still romance, but mild in my opinion.
Most of the time I actually didn't like Kissen but there were some relatable moments I want to share
1) There was a reason she preferred travelling alone; most people were deeply annoying.
2) ‘Is this the time, you flapping fool?’ (when a character is making a stupid decision there is always another who speaks against it making us readers show that the writer/author did that on purpose and that the character who did the stupid thing had a reason)
Another thing I liked about Kissen was that she liked Inara. She was rude to her sometimes, but it showed that she cared for that little girl. Kissen saw herself in that helpless little girl and wanted to protect her for that reason. That made Kissen a bit more likeable for me.
Example: She had only known the kid half a month, but if anything happened to her, Kissen might happily commit a murder.
I love, LOVE the relationship between Inara and Skedi. It was so wholesome to read the whole time and most of the highlights I added for this book were actually just them together. Now let me explain; They have a strong bond and I am not only talking about an emotional bond but also a physical one. They always need to stay together. And that can be exhausting on the long run, but they managed to get closer and get a real friendship bond and they literally love eachother in a platonic way. Inara is, since she is a small girl, most of the time helpless but Skedi protects her and it's so cute!!
There are ups and downs on characters relationships throughout the book so I myself felt like I was on a rollercoaster when I read this book as not only enemies became friends but also friends became enemies. It was sometimes hard to watch honestly, but it made that book so unique as the author managed to change a relationship in a good reasonable manner and made us readers emotional connected to the characters more.
There were many tiny details that weren't that necessary for the character or world building but that made it more unique. Like how a curse looked like on someone's body or how the Gods looked like, or the way certain characters spoke in difficult situations. Especially the small hidden messages from Skedi that one only could understand if they read between the lines when he said or thought something.
I found no logic leak whatsoever. There was always an explanation for something.
Example: ‘What happened?’ He must not have been listening in the queue, wrapped up in his own problems; he hadn’t heard what the gossipers said.
Skediceth was my favourite character out of a simple reason; He felt the most unique and kind from the rest. Why? First of all his small form and true form are so different from eachother and it blew my brain out when I read it. Secondly, he seemed no matter what happened always the most kind and always gave me the feeling he thinks everything through and just tries to protect everyone. Thirdly, in my opinion his backstory and story throughout the book was the most sad and tragic one. And lastly, I didn't know how he truly felt and desired till the very end. He had the most complex character build and development and if one read between lines one would notice that he was also in a personal fight with himself and even though he was my favourite did some mistakes throughout this book.
Dislikes:
Kissen was rather rude than nice, for a protagonist. Good reasoning behind it, but personally her attitude bothered me when I read the book. (Especially as she was rather unkind to my favourite character and threatened to unalive him).
Example towards Inara: Somehow surprised to be addressed first, and so rudely.
Example Skedi: ‘You’ll what, kill me? That threat is getting a little old.’
Scene example (Inara tried to befriend someone and Kissen intervened): ‘Leave the girl be,’ said Kissen, and bared her teeth in a dangerous smile, then pulled Legs away. ‘And the horse.’
As mentioned above in my like list there is mild romance in this book. Many side characters have a relationship and some are even LGBT+, but that wasn't what bothered me, what actually bothered me was the love relationship with the main characters. I literally read that the girl said she will break his legs if he tried to seduce her just to see a sexual scene on the next page. It just made no sense. Especially with the personality of the girl. She was rather smart so I was surprised that she let it happen, even though she just protested against it.
The romance of the two main characters was so fast, from not liking to almost already having intercourse. I highlighted all the parts where they connected stronger and it wasn't that much (5 to be exact) until they did the 'act'. Perhaps it's 'cause I prefer slowburn but that romance just felt unnatural.
The book was a bit slow at times. Overall it had a medium pace, but sometimes slow.
The ending of the book felt like an open ending that doesn't need a sequel, but perhaps that's just me as I like books with open endings. Except 1 question/issue were all others answered/resolved so I felt satisfied with the ending. But it was a bit of an odd ending.
• • • •
Rating
How it works: Only everything that is lower than 9 gets reduced from the final rating. Depending on how strong it inflicted the overall enjoyment of reading it effects differently.
[ Story 9 / 10 ] > sometimes a bit slow-paced
[ Characters 10 / 10 ]
[ Triggering 2 / 10 ] > intercourse scene
[ Topic/Genre 8 / 10 ] > I reduce it regarding the romance part
[ Writing style 10 / 10 ]
[ Grammatic and spelling 10 / 10 ]
[ Ending 9 / 10 ] > odd ending
Final Rating
4/5
• • • •
Final thoughts/Questions
I wasn't sure if I should read this book as it was just recently added to my TBR list and there are some on that list since months, but I'm glad I read this book as I felt a great connection with Skediceth and the whole story itself was very interesting and special. Definitely reading the 2. book too!
Did you read this book? Let me know what you think of this book and my review!
Started the book: 03. June 2024
Finished the book: 04. June 2024
Wrote the review: 05. June 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and War
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
grunbean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
I’ve been dipping my toe back in to fantasy, and after reading this I’m excited to pick up the next book in the series! The pace is a bit inconsistent, but the last few chapters had me hooked. There’s a lot of building, of the world and intention, but it pays off. I’d stick with it through the slower moments, you will be surprised after them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Medical content, and Medical trauma
beckyremillard's review against another edition
adventurous
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, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
hflh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Cool world with good character potential diminished by a slow plot (and I usually like slow) and the most mustache-twirly villain speech I’ve seen in adult fiction.
That being said, the world is very compelling and I like the characters. I’m hoping this is a good set up for a stronger second book.
That being said, the world is very compelling and I like the characters. I’m hoping this is a good set up for a stronger second book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and War
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
This slapped.
I’ll edit and add more thoughts when I’m not tired.
I’ll edit and add more thoughts when I’m not tired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Starts off with a major trigger warning for fire injury and human sacrifice.ellornaslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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
5.0
This book. . . how do I put into words how much I adore this book. I am baffled that I had not heard about this book sooner given the absolutely amazing disability/chronic pain rep to be found within it. Not just the side characters, no, but the main characters too. I was floored. And it wasn't just one type of disability experience, but people that had different disabled experiences. Found within the pages there's great mental health rep and LGQBTIA+ rep too. On top of this are a variety of well-written characters, including the side characters who feel beautifully fleshed out, and the brilliant unveiling of a fascinating world. I could not stop reading this book and want more. So much so I'm re-reading it this month(April) on audiobook just so I can read the sequel sooner as my ebook hold still has like 7 weeks to go cause people are realizing what I did: this book is amazing.
Anyways, while I wanted to write a more involved review, I forgot I hadn't gotten around to it so instead this babbling mess of me gushing at 3am is the best I can do. I'll write something better at a later date.
Anyways, while I wanted to write a more involved review, I forgot I hadn't gotten around to it so instead this babbling mess of me gushing at 3am is the best I can do. I'll write something better at a later date.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol
amy14's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
korpney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fast-paced, exciting, and original fantasy with a very eclectic found family aspect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
booksthatburn's review
adventurous
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
5.0
One of my favorite things in GODKILLER is that all of the characters change in very significant ways, prompted by their interactions with each other, but no one changes into any other character's ideal. They bend without breaking, they fit in with each other on the road without wholly molding to one another. Inara is a little girl with a god, Skediceth, living inside her. She seeks out a godkiller to try and find a way to free Skediceth from her, to let them both live separately, no longer intertwined. Kissen, a godkiller, seems to have already changed enough by not killing Skediceth when she meets him, but as they journey together it becomes apparent that being a godkiller doesn't actually mean that she kills every god she meets. Instead, Kissen kills the ones who are making life worse for people, the ones she's paid to kill. Elogast is on a mission from his best friend and king, Arren, to go to a city whose gods he tried to kill, to get one of them to become the king's new heart. Publicly, the king wants all the gods dead, or at least no longer worshipped, so Elogast must keep this mission secret, for the sake of the king. All four of them and up in the same pilgrimage caravan, traveling together with a few others, braving the dangers of the road and the patrolling knights. Skediceth is a god of white lies, untruths that are meant to mitigate harm and make things feel better, even if reality doesn't change because of them. Because he's a god, he's able to affect how lies are perceived, how readily they are believed. This makes things much easier as they travel, deflecting questions and averting gazes, making some trouble never manifest at all.
There's a narrative focus on the way all of the characters have been marked by the gods, changed by them, for good or ill. Kissen has a prosthetic leg fashioned from leather and metal, replacing the flesh leg she lost as a child when the other villagers tried to sacrifice her family to a fire god. She uses the prosthesis when the situation calls for two legs (as travelling and fighting tend to do). Most discussion of her legs is logistical, such as when she's cut in the leg while fighting and just needs to repair or replace the prosthesis, instead of having been injured in her flesh. I like the matter-of-fact handling of it. While there was someone in her past who exploited her and other children like her, the narrative only briefly discusses that time of her life. Now, she has two legs, it's just that the lower part of one of them can detach from the rest of her.
As the first book in the series, Godkiller feels very complete, able to stand alone. It invites a sequel with the way that it changes the situations of the main characters by the end, and I want to know what they do next. It's more open than a standalone without giving me a cliffhanger, which is perfect. The main characters are all very different with competing motivations that have all placed them together for now, but they don't know if they can trust each other. The worldbuilding and characterization work together seamlessly to make an engaging story that isn't afraid to have a slow burn in the middle. Most of it takes place during this pilgrimage, complemented by a much slower story pace. It helps to create a sense of time, that this journey really does take a while, one measured in days or perhaps weeks though not months.
There's a narrative focus on the way all of the characters have been marked by the gods, changed by them, for good or ill. Kissen has a prosthetic leg fashioned from leather and metal, replacing the flesh leg she lost as a child when the other villagers tried to sacrifice her family to a fire god. She uses the prosthesis when the situation calls for two legs (as travelling and fighting tend to do). Most discussion of her legs is logistical, such as when she's cut in the leg while fighting and just needs to repair or replace the prosthesis, instead of having been injured in her flesh. I like the matter-of-fact handling of it. While there was someone in her past who exploited her and other children like her, the narrative only briefly discusses that time of her life. Now, she has two legs, it's just that the lower part of one of them can detach from the rest of her.
As the first book in the series, Godkiller feels very complete, able to stand alone. It invites a sequel with the way that it changes the situations of the main characters by the end, and I want to know what they do next. It's more open than a standalone without giving me a cliffhanger, which is perfect. The main characters are all very different with competing motivations that have all placed them together for now, but they don't know if they can trust each other. The worldbuilding and characterization work together seamlessly to make an engaging story that isn't afraid to have a slow burn in the middle. Most of it takes place during this pilgrimage, complemented by a much slower story pace. It helps to create a sense of time, that this journey really does take a while, one measured in days or perhaps weeks though not months.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Self harm, Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Slavery, Excrement, and Trafficking
spooked_anise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and War
Minor: Self harm