A review by hobbithopeful
Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

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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