Slaughtered Gods is a good finale to this Norse Mythology inspired series, although I do have to say that I didn't feel the same kind of attachment to this one as I did to the first two books.

Slaughtered Gods is the satisfying conclusion to the Hanged God trilogy. Full of gods, monsters, Norse mythology, bravery, strong characters, a bloodthirsty battle to end all others and so much heart, this has been one of my favourite series of recent years.
The main characters are all back and we see those that have died finding their places in Valhalla and Helheim, depending on whether they were warriors who proved their bravery during their short lives.
We follow the lives of a small group of people who started out in the town of Ash-Hill, which was burned in a raid in book 1 of the series. They are still our principle characters, especially warrior and half-giant Einer, Norn prophet Hilda, Finn, who is now an elderly thrall, and Ragnar the skald who shares his name with the famous final battle where the gods will die. The gods are secondary characters in this conclusion to the saga as we hurtle towards Ragnarok - but they are still very much present. Loki persuades Einer to fight for him at Ragnarok and Hilda feels duty bound to fight for her god, Odin.

“Loki knew how to terrify. Everything was carefully plotted. Every single action he had taken had been planned so precisely that Einer felt a glimmer of hope that he, too, would be successful in his task. Because Loki had chosen him for it.”

We also have fire demons, Jotun giants and Loki’s monstrous children, Hel, Fenrir and the Midgard Worm taking centre stage as Ragnarok approaches.

“Water splashed onto the deck. The ship rocked and Einer lost his footing, falling backwards onto deck. Summoned out of the waters came the Midgard Worm in all its glory. Teeth glistened in the light of Loki’s fires. Its green skin was sleek, and water dripped down the length of it. The ship rocked. Sailors squealed and yelled and clung on for life. The Midgard Worm screeched.”

Hilda has been a favourite character throughout this series - she just never gives up, despite losing her sight, her destiny and the ability to be recognized by anyone who has ever known her. She is the epitome of a fierce shieldmaiden who longs for recognition from her god and to be given a place at his table in Valhalla. More depth of character is added to her via her Norn blood and new ability to weave fates.
The final battle, when it arrives, is epic to say the least, very exciting, and lasts a good while, almost a quarter the length of the book, but the way the narrative switches between each of the main characters during the battle keeps the excitement levels high and the bloodthirstiness of the battle will be popular with many dark fantasy fans.

There is an almost dreamlike quality to Kold Holdt’s writing as she retells the famous myths with her own fresh interpretation - which I love and which really adds dimension to the folkloric, mythical feel of the overall story she is weaving, I cannot recommend this series more highly.

“Death to all gods” shout the Damned as the march into The Ragnarök.

And so we come to the Twilight of the Gods in this conclusion to the Hanged God trilogy is a modern rendition of Snorri’s Icelandic Eddas putting in just enough personal spin to make it fresh and interesting for everybody. None of these three (3) books should be read by themselves … so plan on reading the trilogy straight through for the best experience. As might be expected in mythology sourced stories, the more interactions you get with the supernatural … the weirder things get … book three (3) is no exception (so you do get some over the top fantasy here). If you are familiar with the Norse myths here … you probably have a good idea how all of this ends … but we get a few twists that keep you guessing until the end; such as a norm who no longer has a fate and who can theoretically weave a new one for the gods. The primary POV are from Hilda (fighting with the gods) and Einar (fighting with giants) … and these are by far my favorite characters. Supporting POV comes from Ragnar “The StoryTeller” and Tyra … who purpose is somewhat harder to figure out other than helping build out the world. The story actually spins Loki and the giants more sympathetically than I expected … making them something like tragic anti-heroes and the gods as really really cruel to match the hard life of the times. In all, I really enjoyed this twist on a familiar story.

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I. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3391480519">Northern Wrath</a>
II. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4188545628">Shackled Fates</a>
</Spoiler>

I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#SlaughteredGods #TheHangedGod #NetGalley.

Wow! I can't recommend it enough. Great characters, great story and uncontrollable ride. A must read,!!! This was a great ending to a fantastic series!!!

For anyone who enjoyed the first and second book of the Epic Viking Fantasy, Slaughtered Gods is a great conclusion to a terrific trilogy.

The book takes place with a great war, Ragnarok, beginning; as someone who is already interested in Mythology, the retelling felt accurate and not cheapening of the original stories. Holdt has a great way of writing these kinds of mythological worlds that many authors cannot. The characters and world building was very interesting and wrapped up the trilogy very well. Fans of the trilogy will be very satisfied with how everything wraps up!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.