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A review by heathengray
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If Pullman's His Dark Materials and Moorcock's Elric Saga had a baby, you might get something like Godkiller.
I didn't realise Godkiller was "Young Adult", which apparently just means the characters are quite edgy, swear, and occasionally have just-shy-of-graphic sex. I must say I really rather enjoyed it.
It begins with our main character Kissen being sacrificed, and follows her, years later, taking on the role of protector of another wayward girl (and her attached Pullman's dæmon, which can change shape and size and act autonomously, and obviously just has its serial number shaved off). The cold, dark world of Godkiller is split between theists and royalists - the king a few years ago decreeing that all gods must die, starting and end an war to enforce his will. This creates an interesting environment to find kind and cruel characters on both sides of the secular divide. The gods manifesting themselves reminds me more for their overt self-insertion in Micheal Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories, rather than the more comic Terry Pratchett's Discworld, especially as they can be overcome through training, will, pacts, and luck. There is a very interesting biology to the gods here, their growth and life cycle can result in the razing of continents, or the collecting of odd trinkets as tribute for their shrines. I hope this is explored further with another book.
The cast of characters is varied, different races coming from across this fantasy Pangea, with gay and lesbians represented sparingly, though I wish they in particular had more backstory, as a person's orientation ends up just lamp-shaded, rather than fitting into the fabric of their character and world. Kissen (who prefers women, but mainly because she doesn't prefer getting pregnant), has the most backstory but is such an edgy (also literally, she has edges sown into her clothes) Mary Sue, she comes across as a medieval Batman. Nothing gets in her way. And in a refreshing way for a female character, this is never even questioned by the foes she comes across - a person holding a sword is never to be toyed with. There are times I wish her dialog was a bit more terse, however, as she will often say something really cool, then ruin it up with some redundant exposition. The descriptions of her rituals at camp, including tending to her disability, and the the god-killing tools available to her are fascinating, if detailed, glimpses we usually don't see in fantasy beyond "They camped for the evening". The descriptions of foods and their preparations alone seem almost written for the Hobbit demographic.
If you're looking for a tragic fantasy tale that's lighter on plot, but heavier in how people prepare their travel dumplings and snacks, then please give this a read. Like Kissen, Godkiller punches above her weight.
I personally hope I've joined this series as it's about to take off.
I didn't realise Godkiller was "Young Adult", which apparently just means the characters are quite edgy, swear, and occasionally have just-shy-of-graphic sex. I must say I really rather enjoyed it.
It begins with our main character Kissen being sacrificed, and follows her, years later, taking on the role of protector of another wayward girl (and her attached Pullman's dæmon, which can change shape and size and act autonomously, and obviously just has its serial number shaved off). The cold, dark world of Godkiller is split between theists and royalists - the king a few years ago decreeing that all gods must die, starting and end an war to enforce his will. This creates an interesting environment to find kind and cruel characters on both sides of the secular divide. The gods manifesting themselves reminds me more for their overt self-insertion in Micheal Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné stories, rather than the more comic Terry Pratchett's Discworld, especially as they can be overcome through training, will, pacts, and luck. There is a very interesting biology to the gods here, their growth and life cycle can result in the razing of continents, or the collecting of odd trinkets as tribute for their shrines. I hope this is explored further with another book.
The cast of characters is varied, different races coming from across this fantasy Pangea, with gay and lesbians represented sparingly, though I wish they in particular had more backstory, as a person's orientation ends up just lamp-shaded, rather than fitting into the fabric of their character and world. Kissen (who prefers women, but mainly because she doesn't prefer getting pregnant), has the most backstory but is such an edgy (also literally, she has edges sown into her clothes) Mary Sue, she comes across as a medieval Batman. Nothing gets in her way. And in a refreshing way for a female character, this is never even questioned by the foes she comes across - a person holding a sword is never to be toyed with. There are times I wish her dialog was a bit more terse, however, as she will often say something really cool, then ruin it up with some redundant exposition. The descriptions of her rituals at camp, including tending to her disability, and the the god-killing tools available to her are fascinating, if detailed, glimpses we usually don't see in fantasy beyond "They camped for the evening". The descriptions of foods and their preparations alone seem almost written for the Hobbit demographic.
If you're looking for a tragic fantasy tale that's lighter on plot, but heavier in how people prepare their travel dumplings and snacks, then please give this a read. Like Kissen, Godkiller punches above her weight.
I personally hope I've joined this series as it's about to take off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
The worst aspects ars towards the start mainly with Kissen and her family being offered as sacrifices , which was a short sharp shock to read. However this is quite a harsh world to live in, and the feeling life could end or be ruined at any moment isn't far away.