Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

12 reviews

chanlo1994's review

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Kissen is my favorite character of all of 2024 so far. Good job author for excellent characterization all around.
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anamustacho's review against another edition

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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? No

3.75

The details make sense afterwards but sometimes the extra descriptions feel too much. I believe it also feels that way because of the suspense, the thrill.

I did not expect that turn of events. I hope book 3 will be out soon!

In het kort: als 2 honden vechten om een been dan loopt de 3de er mee heen

Thema: bloedvergiet, avontuur, diversiteit in persoonlijkheid en sexualiteit, gevloek, moord, afgoderij, politieke machtsstrijd
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deedireads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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

All my reviews live at https://deedireads.com/.

Sunbringer is a solid sequel to the much-loved Godkiller, although it does have a bit of second-book syndrome. That said, it definitely set us up for an epic third book.

This one is much slower paced than Godkiller — it took me 13 days to finish it, despite its reasonable 400 pages, because I kept picking up other books too. But I wasn’t mad at it. There’s plenty of character development (despite our MCs being separated for 99% of the story), especially for Inara. There’s also lots of information discovery and at least one twist I didn’t see coming.

All in all, I’m looking forward to the third book when we get all our characters back together, fighting toward the same end. It’s gonna be good!
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hardbackhoarder's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

i would offer anything - ANYTHING - to a god to get my hands on the next book. 
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gondorgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

5.0

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skyfluff's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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gabsoulutely's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was highly anticipating the sequel of Godkiller and the writing of Hannah Kaner did not disappoint. I enjoy the writing style she uses, however, the actual story and characters just fell flat this second time around.
I feel that the Sunbringer book brought out the worst, most static parts of the characters and that they acted like the character development they went through in the first book was thrown out the window. And no, they were not as strong individually as they were together.
 

The ending felt like a cop out the way it was executed and I can't help but feel there are at least two plot holes in the way everything happened. 

I was constantly annoyed by Elogast, Inara, and Arren whenever their povs came up and it just was too much annoyance for me to give a complete 5 star review. Kissen and Skedi were my favorite characters in this sequel still, but I still hated how Kissen just felt like a side character in her own story. She's literally the Godkiller! And yet, her part in the story just felt so minimal and disappointing... like tell me you hate Kissen without telling me you hate her. 

Overall, this sequel was alright and I'm giving it a four star solely because I'm glad the world was explored some more than in the first book. I also really love Kissen and Skedi still so I will be reading the finale book later.
idk what to feel about Lessa, but we'll see what happens.
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hobbithopeful's review against another edition

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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

5.0

My only regret is I'll never be able to read this for the first time again.
Fantasy, representation, writing that makes you feel every emotion the characters do as if it were your own, Sunbringer had me enthralled from the very first page, must like its predecessor, Godkiller. Even as I sit here trying to type a coherent review after Kaner so expertly punched me in the gut with the plot in the last few chapters (A pattern in her writing, which I love, and hate with equal measure!), my mind keeps racing over the events and prose of the story and what might come next.
Every character, new and old, is wonderfully fleshed out in this book, all so painfully and wonderfully human just trying to do what they think is best with what they know, and all in grief. A stand out pov from this is Elogast, while I loved in the first book, I loved him even more in this one. It was such a stark difference to read how much his actions and emotions have changed after the ending of the last book. A man in grief, who knows what he has to do, but he's still torn because of love he feels. Yet he soldiers on. And truly, he does soldier, for this book truly shines a light on how far he was willing to go, and what actions he took when he did fight in the war.
Him constantly viewing it like a game board, and being several moves ahead was cold, calculating, and near scary.
A hero he was considered, we truly find out what makes a hero during battle. It's terribly, horribly, sad. Just let the man bake his bread and be happy! (I ate up every second!) This book really did feel more Elogast centered then the last, not that I am complaining, given how the plot went, it made sense. I love how so often during Arren's pov, he would think things like; "Some lilac, sweetly scented. Elo's favourite." Showing just how often Elo is on his mind.
I loved every other characters as well, Kissen you have my heart always. There is of course, that fantastic disability and queer representation just like in the last book, a quote I loved from Elogast's pov; "He was not broken. He was never broken. Kissen had taught him that." Naia is a new character, and I really loved reading about a trans character and how that fits into a world of magic gods, and what that would look like. Skedi is another character who goes through a lot of growth, and we get to see a different side of him.
He chose to be by Inara's side instead of begin among worshippers. He seems to have finally realized the hurt of his actions, I liked seeing him get offerings tied to his antlers.

For those who seek romance with their fantasy, I would say this book has plenty of platonic love and romantic love, though don't expect the romance like the last book. (Which didn't bother me at all, I think it was perfect.) It really is a darker book, and while there were longing glances, flirtations, and other angst, the
reunion I so desperately waited for the entire book didn't happen till the end. Yes, I do want Kissen and Elogast to end up together and take in Inara. Screw Inara's mother, I don't trust her one bit, she seems to have her own goals and manipulations in plan.)

My top scenes that made me have an emotional reaction:
The gods falling in battle, Beloris killing his father and Captain Faroch having to attack Elogast, Kissen watching the statue being built and the worshippers become frenzied, the archivists turning on Telle, Kissen landing in a pig shit, most of Elogast's scenes (he really stole the scene a lot), the Arren reveal with the double.

Some of my theories/hopes for the next book;
I think Inara's mother is going to die. I really do, just because the angst of Inara just getting her back, it will make it all the more bitter. Though maybe it's because I want her to die that I think that way.
Lots of delicious angst between Elogast and Arren. First of all, screw Arren, he doesn't deserve the wonderful bread knight. Arren is truly a monster, his disregard for children and all of his evil actions...just he needs to die, and I'm upset that he won't.
I do want Kissen to be delightfully herself as always, and very much come punch Arren in the face. At least once. Okay, maybe twice. Also if she could punch Inara's mom.
More godblood coming forward, I predict we will see more and more characters who have godblood in them, and maybe one will be on the enemy side.
Skedi gets a shrine, but doesn't leave Inara. Considering Skedi used to travel and always be by Inara's father's side, I can see this happening, though I wouldn't put it past Kaner to do something angsty and have Skedi killed, and come back without his memories.
Kissen and Legs reunite. Make it happen or I'm protesting. I will be SOBBING when this happens.
Beloris better die, I hope Elogast kills him. I feel so bad for Captain Faroch, that scene was one of the ones that had me crying. (I spent most of this book in a state of anxiety/sobbing).
I do predict there will be WAR. Heavy on the death and bloodshed, I hope a major character doesn't die, just let them be heavily traumatized but stay alive please. I do foresee Elogast having to step up and take a bigger place in it that he will want, considering how strategic and smart he is.
Inara will likely have a big role to play, and her mother will try to manipulate her for her own goals.

Sunbringer took my breath away. Every page, every chapter, I devoured with such intensity, I couldn't have stopped reading if I wanted to. I am always wary of sequels, especially ones that are the follow up to a book that was my top read of 2023 out of the 200+ book I read. It didn't disappoint it was gut wrenchingly perfect. Read it.
No one tell Tolkien, but I favor this series over Lotr.
A MUST read book, start with Godkiller, then read this one, this continues to be the greatest book series I've ever read.
Thank you Harper Voyager for this ARC

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ofbooksandechos's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

5.0

The sequel to Hannah Kaner’s deliciously enchanting debut is just as breathtakingly action packed, well plotted and unputdownable as the first! 

It follows immediately on from the explosive events of Godkiller, and sees Kissen, Elogast and Inara delve ever deeper into the world of gods, kings and the faith that powers both. 

Having absolutely loved Godkiller (it was one of my favourite books of 2023) I was beyond excited to get my hands on an early copy of it’s sequel, Sunbringer — and trust me when I tell you that it’s even better than I had anticipated! 

The depth we once again explore in our characters, particularly Kissen and Inara, was absolutely phenomenal! I loved the parallels between their situations (in their complex feelings surrounding grief, vengeance and the need to find closure and justice) and felt it really bonded them despite the physical distance they endure. 

Kissen, who’s finally completed her life’s purpose has now begun to move past the anger that has fuelled her for soo long. By attempting to find a more pragmatic solution to solving her problems, and interacting with Gods in a less confrontational (or violent) way—choosing instead to protect the people she loves most. 

I was a little worried Kissen’s new-found maturity would ruin the compelling aspect that made me love her soo much-mainly her gruff, standoffish nature and fiery tenacity. But instead, it only added a greater level of complexity to her decision making that (though slightly less impulsive) was still incredibly intriguing.

Inara, like Kissen, goes through some big changes herself, with an emotional journey that delves ever deeper into the lore of Gods —and uncovering the truth behind Inara’s unique abilities and connection to Skedi (the God of White Lies) that had me completely gripped.

If, like me, you adore well crafted world-building, then you’re gonna love the lush and vividly detailed descriptions that Kaner’s skillful prose brings to life. 

Especially the descriptions of Lesscia, home of Kissen’s adoptive family Telle and Yatho (and the Kingdom’s centre of knowledge.) With an intrinsically strong connection to the kingdom’s history (and to it’s patron God, Scian) I enjoyed exploring the complex and contradictory nuances of faith, where Gods are still venerated just as much as they are vilified. And absolutely loved getting to meet more of them (besides just Skedi.)

Elogast’s transformation from reluctant knight (and baker) into a bonafide protector of the people was also really interesting to watch unfold. His arc is very political intrigue heavy and shaped by the complicated history he shares with the King (who we also get to explore as a POV character), but is instrumental in getting all of our main players into position for the third and final novel in the series.

Overall, an immersive and unputdownable second instalment that has me eager to see where book three will take us. 

Also, a huge thank you Harper Voyager for the arc. 
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