vlpfeiffer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
4.25
A beautiful debut by Hannah Kaner. I was in love with the characters from the outset, and I ended the book with such a strong affection for them and their relationships with each other. I can’t WAIT to read the sequel.
Each character is unique and I was particularly fond of Kissen and her honest, to-the-point, gruff nature. Inara and Skedi have such an interesting dynamic that evolves over time as both of them grow in their respective identities. Elo is such an adorable cinnamon roll I just want to hug him!
As a debut I can see so much potential for this world. I honest found myself disappointed in how short the book was because I wanted to know so much more about the world and the gods and their relationship with the people. I know for sure in the sequel there will be a lot of exploration of the power of faith and the influence of the different gods of the people of Middren.
The only thing that took some stars off for me was honestly the lack of depth in some aspects of the world that I craved. More about how Kissen became a Godkiller and a little more about how Godkiller’s developed from mercenaries to an establishment of the King. I also wish there was more clarity with Elogast’s relationship with Arren, as I didn’t feel as much of an impact at the end between the two of them.
Overall I’m a huge fan of this debut and I can’t wait to see this world flourish.
Each character is unique and I was particularly fond of Kissen and her honest, to-the-point, gruff nature. Inara and Skedi have such an interesting dynamic that evolves over time as both of them grow in their respective identities. Elo is such an adorable cinnamon roll I just want to hug him!
As a debut I can see so much potential for this world. I honest found myself disappointed in how short the book was because I wanted to know so much more about the world and the gods and their relationship with the people. I know for sure in the sequel there will be a lot of exploration of the power of faith and the influence of the different gods of the people of Middren.
The only thing that took some stars off for me was honestly the lack of depth in some aspects of the world that I craved. More about how Kissen became a Godkiller and a little more about how Godkiller’s developed from mercenaries to an establishment of the King. I also wish there was more clarity with Elogast’s relationship with Arren, as I didn’t feel as much of an impact at the end between the two of them.
Overall I’m a huge fan of this debut and I can’t wait to see this world flourish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
Writing: 4⭐️/5
The writing in this novel is strong in some sections and adequate in others. I thought the descriptions were strong, the world-building strong, but portions of the book dedicated to emotions or the inner turmoil of characters could sometimes fall flat in comparison to everything else. Similarly, the dialogue, especially at the beginning, felt forced, attempting to craft a badass female MC, but it came off a little cringe-y.
Characters: 3.75⭐️/5
Listen. I love the badass female protagonist as much as the next gal, but I felt a bit forced by Kaner to accept our MC’s badassery. She was in your face, blunt, and sassy to the point of disinterest, seemingly cutting elements from the typical badass female character and pasting it onto the page. Similarly, Elo’s determination to be a pouty ex-soldier with a chip on his shoulder reads similarly. His broody demeanour felt broody for no reason other than to be broody, and I was happy when he started to develop into something more.
Now, that being said, nearly everyone else was so fascinating to read about. The gods and their desire to have gifts. The young King and his suspiciously timed mission. The young girl who is plagued with a god of white lies. That god of white lies and his desire to undo the hurt he causes. If the two main characters had hit a stronger stride earlier, this could have easily been a five.
Plot: 4.5⭐️/5
The plot – and the world it takes place in – are instantly fascinating. We have a world, once overcome with gods and their patrons, now devoid of them. We have a quest to find the lost gods, and an attempt to untie a small god from the girl it wound itself around. I loved the story and I was fascinated at nearly every turn to understand and read about the next exciting moment, the next beautiful description, the next intriguing turn.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of older young adult fiction looking for a brilliant fantasy world
- Those who LOVE the badass female protagonist
- Fantasy readers looking for plot and world-building over writing
Content Warnings?
- Death, fire, fire injury, murder, stalking, gaslighting, confinement, toxic relationship, toxic friendship, violence, injury, blood, injury detail, death of parent, death of child, war, sexism, sexual content,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Fascinating. If I had the second, I would have started reading immediately.
Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Sexism, Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Sexual content
emmer_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child death, War, Death, Murder, Ableism, and Death of parent
Minor: Trafficking and Child abuse
rhiwind93's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Body horror, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Violence
jadorelecafe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death, War, Genocide, Grief, and Violence
barda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
I couldn't choose between giving it 3.75 and 4 stars so rounded up to 4 stars.
This was a very enjoyable debut novel, with a very rich world. The ideas about gods and how they're created by thoughts and prayers of people was really well done.
I broadly enjoyed the characters, in particular Kissen and Skedi. Kissen I enjoyed just because I really like competent but flawed female main characters, and Skedi was a fascinating look into a god with a different morality compared to the humans around him. I mostly wasn't as keen on Elo and found him a bit one-note, so I hope he gets a bit more development in the second book.
The writing and use of language were excellent, especially for a debut novel; however, I found some parts to be over-described and thus dragged the story on too much. My main complaint about the novel was the pacing, with it being slightly too slow in parts. I'm also torn about the twist in the end of, it's a really cool idea but I feel it could have been foreshadowed in the text a bit more, as the reveal seemed to me to come out of nowhere.
Overall, however, I enjoyed this and will be picking up the next one when it comes out.
This was a very enjoyable debut novel, with a very rich world. The ideas about gods and how they're created by thoughts and prayers of people was really well done.
I broadly enjoyed the characters, in particular Kissen and Skedi. Kissen I enjoyed just because I really like competent but flawed female main characters, and Skedi was a fascinating look into a god with a different morality compared to the humans around him. I mostly wasn't as keen on Elo and found him a bit one-note, so I hope he gets a bit more development in the second book.
The writing and use of language were excellent, especially for a debut novel; however, I found some parts to be over-described and thus dragged the story on too much. My main complaint about the novel was the pacing, with it being slightly too slow in parts. I'm also torn about the twist in the end of
Spoiler
the king wanting to become a godOverall, however, I enjoyed this and will be picking up the next one when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Cursing
verinvaldez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
I was so sure this book was going to be a 5 star read for me, the world was amazing, setup was gripping, the child character Inara was believable without being annoying. The disability and queernorn rep was seamless, an excellent finale calling back to the traumas of all our characters, shocking betrayals.
However I thought the romance was poorly set up and detracted from how great everything else was, especially as I was very much under the impression
Outside of the romance and my confusion about the sexualities of our adult characters, the book was a brilliant and fresh new take on the relationship between Gods and humanity.
However I thought the romance was poorly set up and detracted from how great everything else was, especially as I was very much under the impression
Spoiler
Kissen was a lesbian and Elogast was gay, I did not think they had any romantic chemistry at all and I just felt really uncomfortable during the sex scene, "wet hot nub" shivers no thanks.Outside of the romance and my confusion about the sexualities of our adult characters, the book was a brilliant and fresh new take on the relationship between Gods and humanity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
An exciting fantasy. Not too long ago, the humans fought a war with the gods. The new king has outlawed all shrines and worship. Three, make that four, individuals are brought together on a pilgrimage to the city where the war was fought. A girl, a Godkiller, a knight turned baker, and the God of white lies. The each need answers. They each have secrets. With the exception of the girl, none really trusts the others.
Great world building. Great character building. An ending that leaves you wanting the next book, without a dreaded cliffhanger.
Recommended for readers who enjoy books about people who find their tribes in the most unexpected people.
Great world building. Great character building. An ending that leaves you wanting the next book, without a dreaded cliffhanger.
Recommended for readers who enjoy books about people who find their tribes in the most unexpected people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
millieinks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Brilliant disability rep, including sign language usage...the characters were intriguing and you truly cared for them throughout. I loved everything about this book including the writing which was beautiful, as someone with aphantasia I was able to feel like i was there which does not happen often with me so I was so thankful for that!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Death, Blood, and War