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quitegood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, War, Gore, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
jmatsumura's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Religious bigotry
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Gore, Religious bigotry, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, Child death, Death of parent, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Self harm, Sexual content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Excrement, Trafficking, Animal death, Child abuse, and Slavery
picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Violence, Child death, Murder, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Blood, War, and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism and Child abuse
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
animal death: huntingpandorasxbox's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
looseleafellie's review against another edition
5.0
This is a relatively quick fantasy novel, but it packs a ton into its pages! With well-placed details, Kaner makes the world feel lush and realistic. The god lore is super interesting and I loved learning about the different deities that Kissen and her friends encounter. And I always love a dash of mystery!
Kissen is a super enjoyable protagonist — cranky and sweary, but with a heart of gold. All the characters, even the tiny side ones, had well-developed motivations.
The ending is a bit sudden, but it felt right as a good entrance into the sequel. There was a lot more to explore — not just in terms of defeating the villain revealed at the end, but also in terms of digging deeper into the tensions between those who’ve been hurt by the gods and those who deeply want to keep their faith. I’m really interested to see where those themes go in Sunbringer.
If you’re looking for a not-too-chonky fantasy novel with a great world and characters, themes of faith and power, and well-received disabled and queer representation, you should definitely check this out!
Spice level: Brief, non-graphic.
CWs: Violence, gore, amputation, murder, animal death, human sacrifice, PTSD.
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Religious bigotry
tkatt20's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, and Gore
Moderate: War and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Religious bigotry
hardbackhoarder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Self harm, War, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
vlpfeiffer's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content