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A review by zoekatereads
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
5.0
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint - a truly stunning debut.
"If no one fights in your corner, then you learn to fight for yourself."
This dark fantasy follows Godkiller, Kissen, as she aids a young noble girl, Inara, who is on the run with her god companion Skediceth. This god of white lies cannot be killed by the Godkiller, as Skedi and Inara are connected.
Worship of the gods has been forbidden, but there are those who miss the gods. Rumours of civil war are on the rise. Recently retired soldier, Elogast, is sent on a quest by his King whom he fought alongside in destroying thousands of shrines.
The paths of these two parties cross, and we see them work together as they seek the same final destination. Secrets, betrayal, and battles ensue.
"Revenge takes a lifetime... sometimes you just have to take what you can get of it."
In 300 pages, Kaner has created an incredibly immersive world with rich lore, fantastic characters and a perfectly paced plotline.
I was blown away at how immersed I found myself in the world. The lore/history was presented in a way that felt very natural to the story-telling. I particularly enjoyed the gods in this story - the presentation felt very unique so it was a refreshing change from other fantasy I'm reading. Vaguely reminiscent of The Witcher, this book definitely stands apart and has set the bar for fantasy debuts.
The characters are incredible and each provided a rich and insightful pov. Each is flawed, vulnerable, and seeing them share past experiences as they ventured together was a pleasure to read. Inara and Skedi were particular favourites of mine, as they reminded me a little of Lyra and Pan (The Northern Lights) which was the book that really got me into reading as a child.
The representation in this story was refreshing and beautifully intertwined with the story (disability rep, LGBTQIA+ characters, use of sign language, exploration of mental health).
This book exceeded all my expectations (and I was pretty damn excited for this book!) and has quickly become a new favourite. I cannot wait to read more from Kaner.
"If no one fights in your corner, then you learn to fight for yourself."
This dark fantasy follows Godkiller, Kissen, as she aids a young noble girl, Inara, who is on the run with her god companion Skediceth. This god of white lies cannot be killed by the Godkiller, as Skedi and Inara are connected.
Worship of the gods has been forbidden, but there are those who miss the gods. Rumours of civil war are on the rise. Recently retired soldier, Elogast, is sent on a quest by his King whom he fought alongside in destroying thousands of shrines.
The paths of these two parties cross, and we see them work together as they seek the same final destination. Secrets, betrayal, and battles ensue.
"Revenge takes a lifetime... sometimes you just have to take what you can get of it."
In 300 pages, Kaner has created an incredibly immersive world with rich lore, fantastic characters and a perfectly paced plotline.
I was blown away at how immersed I found myself in the world. The lore/history was presented in a way that felt very natural to the story-telling. I particularly enjoyed the gods in this story - the presentation felt very unique so it was a refreshing change from other fantasy I'm reading. Vaguely reminiscent of The Witcher, this book definitely stands apart and has set the bar for fantasy debuts.
The characters are incredible and each provided a rich and insightful pov. Each is flawed, vulnerable, and seeing them share past experiences as they ventured together was a pleasure to read. Inara and Skedi were particular favourites of mine, as they reminded me a little of Lyra and Pan (The Northern Lights) which was the book that really got me into reading as a child.
The representation in this story was refreshing and beautifully intertwined with the story (disability rep, LGBTQIA+ characters, use of sign language, exploration of mental health).
This book exceeded all my expectations (and I was pretty damn excited for this book!) and has quickly become a new favourite. I cannot wait to read more from Kaner.