Absolutely loved the world-building. This book starts with a bang and continues to do so throughout the adventure. You fall in love with the characters, no matter whose side they're on. You can't help it but root for them!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Kissen’s family were killed by zealots of a fire god. Now, she makes a living killing gods, and enjoys it. Then she finds a young noble girl who no one seems to know who is somehow bound herself to the God of white lies. Despite her insistence of a hardened heart, she can’t help but take the girl under care.
A knight and a veiga follow a pilgrim trail and are attacked by gods-made monsters. It sounded like the start of a joke, except no one was laughing.

The characters were funny, dynamic, and endearing and I liked the variety of ages presented throughout.

How had she ended up with three idiots, all of them neck-deep in trouble? Maybe she was the idiot.

Furthermore, I have to applaud the disability representation which was unassumingly inserted and deftly handled. I loved how these women were still shown as strong and able, how they were able to overcome and stay resilient. Never once was it shown as a weakness.

This was an ambitious undertaking: a high fantasy under 400 pages? Yet, Kaner accomplished it. The world-building didn’t suffer, I didn’t feel like information was left out, and the characters felt well-developed.
However, the ending did feel slightly rushed, but perhaps this is one caveat of a shorter fantasy.

This was one of those books that I really wanted to enjoy, but it just wasn't grabbing my attention and I'm afraid I couldn't finish it. The opening was exciting and did suck me in a bit, but then time skipped forward, and things seemed to be just endless conversations, which were obviously meant to be world-building, but it was too much at once, I couldn't keep focused on it at all.
I feel like this could be a really good book, as the premise behind it is fascinating. But just not for me. Maybe I just wasn't in the right head space for it. Maybe i'll revisit this book again in the future.

A knight, godkiller,a noble girl and a god walked into an inn… sounds like the start of a bad joke. But in this case, it's the splendid combination of characters for the captivating story that is Godkiller by Hannah Kaner!

Elogast is a former knight running from his past and all the nightmares and regret that comes with it. Trying desperately to find some peace and solace with his new labor as a baker, soon his past catches up, forcing him to make a choice.

Kissen is a skillful godkiller (a veiga) with a traumatic past that turned her into what she is today…eliminating gods and their shrines for a price.

Inara is a noble girl from the Craier line with the little god of white lies attached to her that she have to keep hidden for her safety.

Each of them with their mission and goal in mind, they venture into a journey that is more dangerous and the stakes are higher than they imagined.

Developed Perfectly character arcs that intertwined along the way to merge into an intriguing combination of new friendships, betrayal, strength, and character growth.

Somehow I fell in love with all the main characters and each one for a different reason - Kissen for being always the solid rock to lean on despite her gruff appearance, Inara for her amazing growth and strength and Elo for his embodiment of a trait that is dearly missed in our time – unconditional loyalty and friendship.

To say that I can't wait to read the next chapter for these characters would be un understatement.


*Thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I was offered this book as an ARC via NetGalley and thoroughly enjoyed it. A vividly depicted romp through a world full of gods (of all shapes and sizes) and complex characters that keep you engaged. I was particularly delighted by the positive representation of disabled characters with the added bonus of Kaner choosing to have characters use sign out of choice even if they weren't deaf. I am hopeful that there is a sequel to this as I would definitely read it. The only reason I haven't given it five stars is that it didn't quite hit the mark where I want to start it all over again the minute I finished it. I think this may have something to do with an enormous TBR pile I have stacked up this year or just that I didn't find myself totally engrossed by any particular character though they were all well rendered.

3.5 stars. This book had a lot of promise and I loved the characters and the world! However for such a short book it took me a surprisingly long time to get through, because I never quite felt gripped by the story. I loved the inclusion of disability and lgbtq representation and I will definitely be looking forward to continuing the series/reading more from Hannah Kaner in the future! (Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC)

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Collins, and am delighted to leave a review!

This book was everything I needed, I really feel I've started my reading year with a bang.

- Multiple POV
- New and wonderfully crafted world and lore
- Adorable and terrifying Gods
- Inclusive
- Organic relationships and natural and understandable progression of those relationships
- Shadow demons

This was so good. It had a slower pacing, intertwined beautifully with world building, developing relationships and back story's, but it never felt like a drag for me. Kaner's writing was so fluid, and I was so pulled into each and every character that I didn't want to put the book down.

And the MC's? Loved them. A woman with vengeance simmering in her heart. A Knight with guilt clouding his. And a young girl with a strange little God attached to her own. They were all strong and well fleshed out and I found myself really caring for all of them.

The ending was truly epic — I'd made some assumptions and they panned out and I am REALLY excited for whatever Kaner brings to the table next.

Fantastic debut. Gave me Witcher vibes 🤷🏻‍♀️ loved it. If you like fantasy you should absolutely give this one a whirl!

My goodness this book!

I loved every second of it.

I can’t wait for the next installment and see what becomes of Kissen, Inara, Skedi and Elo.

This book made me feel all the emotions ranging from love to anger to disbelief.

I eagerly await more from this author and don’t doubt she will quickly become a new favourite.

I tried so hard with this book, but unfortunately it’s just not for me. I had to DNF at 33% because it feels like it’s taking a long time for anything to happen, and I don’t have any motivation to keep reading. I liked the writing and was intrigued by the characters, but it was taking me a long time to get through it and I think it’s because I was bored. I’m sure that people will love this book, but unfortunately it’s just not for me.

A godkiller, a god, a young girl, and knight walk into a bar. . . amongst other places.

But truly, Hannah Kaner's debut shines with what Kissen, Inara, Skedi, and Elo do while in those places.

Sometimes, it takes me a bit to truly get into fantasy stories. Learning new worlds isn't always easy. But I could easily and immediately envision the world that Kaner created. Kaner's details were lush and vivid, and it like I was right there with Kissen as her path was set before her and through every choice she made during the journey.

Kissen was by far my favorite character throughout the story. I liked all four of the main characters - all for very different reasons - but I thought Kissen was the most compelling and complex. She was definitely multi-dimensional; she was fierce, she was flawed, she was a godkiller who had been both saved and forsaken by the gods. She is the strong, queer adventurer with a take-no-prisoner's attitude that I wish led the group in the fantasy books I read when I was younger.

This tale wouldn't have shone so brightly if it weren't for the rest of the group, though. All four of the main characters were so wonderfully developed, yet Kaner left me wanting to know them even more. Skedi, our little god of white lies, had a smaller yet just as powerful character arc that truly has the power to wreak havoc in future books. Inara really started to grow into her character by the end, evolving from the young and helpless archetype into a braver warrior. And last but not least, our knight Elo had to endure some hard lessons and even harder truths on his journey Blenraden; when the person you thought you knew the best turns out to be a stranger, all bets are off.

For all four of these characters, they thought their journey ended in the land of the wild gods. But it was just getting started.

With strong writing and storytelling, Godkiller captivated me from the first chapter and kept me turning the page to find out what happens next. I truly can't wait until the next book to find out where the story goes next.

Excellent 👌
The start was amazing and so so strong (maybe too good) as the rest didn’t hit as hard, which is why I give it four stars rather than five.
The characters were all likeable and had their own minds, which was great.
The Gods were described so well and the world building was vivid and beautiful.
What an epic well paced journey.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGallery.

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2023 and it did not disappoint. I picked it up immediately and could not put it down.

A fresh, innovative, engaging new fantasy from a new voice that will leave you desperate for more- never able to put it down. The characters leap off the page in real and authentic ways that had me rooting for them from page one.

It’s tough to write a review for this without spoiling anything, but I highly recommend this to fantasy lovers and those wanting to venture into fantasy.

I’m almost disappointed that I read this so quickly, I want to reread it already. I am also so sad I read it before it’s release because now I have to wait who knows how long for the sequel!

While the writing was great and the book had a lot of potential, for personal reasons, I found it very triggering, which definitely affected my opinion of this book.
However, this does feel like a new refreshing fantasy, combining deities with natural magic, good fighting skills and a healthy dose of relationships, making it a fun and fairly easy read (triggers aside).
The relatively short chapters and overall story make it easy to read in a couple of sittings, which is always good!

"You are not welcome here, Godkiller" is a simple statement that piqued my curiosity when I opened the package that included Hannah Kaner's upcoming fantasy debut. I was so intrigued that I opted to read Godkiller next. I'm content that I did as this release is a fascinating and engaging dark fantasy adventure reminiscent of Sapkowski's The Witcher series. It is extremely well-written, features excellent pacing and contains some wonderful twists.

The action picks up some time after a momentous event in this world, the killing of the majority of the gods under the King's orders. Although things seem pretty settled at the moment, there are rumours of a civil war, political unrest, civilians who miss the gods, and there are strange happenings that have taken place. This all causes a few of our main characters' paths to cross - following a secret request from the king - culminating in the necessity for a quest to the ruined city of Blenraden. A lot has happened previously in Kaner's fantasy world and the details, mythology, and the positions that the gods play are all revealed neatly and gradually as the tale progresses.

Whilst reading Godkiller, we follow four different points of view. Two of them are reluctant legends in their own fields, both were active and influential throughout the god war, and are now just generally plodding along. They find themselves in a position that is similar to how Ringil begins in The Steel Remains. Kissen is the titular Godkiller and her occupation is pretty self-explanatory. She doesn't like gods much and will kill them for a fee. Elogast is currently a baker, yet his previous occupation was as one of the King's most trusted Knights. We also follow Inara, a young noble lady who the majority of the nobility don't seem to know exists, and finally her bonded god companion Skedi, the god of white lies.

All the points of view are interesting; their past experiences, flaws, and vulnerabilities revealed to the reader as they're detailed to the other main characters. Inara and Skedi's connection and the god's past are shrouded in mystery, as it should not be possible for a god to survive without a shrine and the love and dedication of followers.

Regarding what to expect, Godkiller includes an LGBTQ+ lead, main characters who struggle with mental illness, a point of view character who has a prosthetic leg, other important disabled characters, and this world's equivalent of sign language. All of these aspects fit seamlessly and enhance the story and the characters around them. We also have incredible set pieces, romance, betrayals, showdowns, curses, tragic loss, demons, and an amazing ending. Little statements and seemingly unimportant details come to be of the utmost importance later on, so Godkiller is absolutely a rewarding novel for those that pay attention.

Godkiller delivers an impressive fantasy world, the way the gods are presented is unique, and, as previously mentioned, the fact that the mythology and history are delivered at a steady pace hints that this series has a lot more of its secrets yet to reveal. Kaner's debut reads similar to one of Sapkowski's short stories or the stand-alone Season of Storms in that it's self-contained, follows a few main characters on an adventure, and that it feels like we're only witnessing a small yet exciting part of what's going on in a massive, vivid world.

At around 300 pages, it's quite a short read for epic fantasy and I truly hope that Kaner builds on this credible platform that showcases great potential. My only minor complaint is that due to Godkiller's short length, some of the exchanges and events seem a bit too neat and coincidental. In light of this point, I'd personally like the series' next entry to expand, include more point-of-view characters, to show us what is happening elsewhere in the world concurrently, adding extra depth, and drama, and becoming even more impressive. Happenings have truly heated up by the end of the novel, and so I will trust the author's vision and I'll definitely read what comes next.

Read Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

So this was my first read of 2023 and what a start! I picked this up in the midst of a pretty awful reading slump and being honest, I struggled at the start as I found it hard to get an idea of where the plot was headed initially. However I loved these characters and they sucked me in more and more despite the slower unravelling of the plot and that is a huge compliment to Hannah Kaner as I’m very much a plot person in my reading preferences.

The world building also was superb. It felt gritty and real, and the use of gods as a foundation within that was fascinating to me. There was so much detail built into the history and almost religion of it which I’m very excited to find out more about it with the rest of the series.

While the pacing was a bit slow at times (for my liking), the ending was superb pushing it from a solid 3.5 to 4 stars for me. The twist caught me by surprise and I couldn’t stop reading as I just had to find out what would happen. It just exploded and it has set up a very exciting narrative for the remainder of the series. Can’t wait for the next one!!

Kissen is the only member of her family to have survived after the villagers decided to sacrifice them to a fire god. Gods will do anything to get prayers and in the end the humans are the only ones who suffer. Now she dedicates her life to killing gods, fortunate that the King has decided to pay for such services.

Inara has lived the sheltered life of a noble daughter. Her mother keeps many secrets from Inara, the entire outside world included, but Inara has a secret of her own. Inara has a god of her own. Skedi is a god of white lies and he is bound to Inara in a way that neither of them can explain. Both want their freedom, but perhaps they don’t understand what that means.

Elogast killed many gods by his King’s side, but he always expected there to be an end. When the killing continued beyond reason, Elogast withdrew. He expected to live out the rest of his life as a baker, quiet and unassuming. Then he found out his King was dying and only Elogast, his closest friend, has a chance to save him.

The characters in this book were certainly varied, with different backgrounds and different grudges and different desires. Throughout the book they come together and then are pulled apart and come together again, often stronger than before. Their relationships are built slowly, brick by brick, in an expert weaving together of fate and circumstance.

However, what I most love about this book is the concept of the gods themselves. They seem both human and inhuman at the same time, a true cautionary tale about the corruption of power. Their place in the world creates unique dynamics amongst the characters and the rift in beliefs is a satisfying black hole of inevitability. I can’t wait to see how much deeper book two can take us.

Have you read or seen the Witcher, imagine this but with a female MC, helped by a Knight, a child of magic and a God.

It took me a while to get into as I didn't know what to expect, but a few chapters in and I was hooked. Read in less than 12 hours hooked.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC, I can't wait to have the physial copy and continue with the story.

Not gonna lie, if it weren't for the oh, so gorgeous cover I don't think I would have read this one. Because how can anyone say no to that?!

I feel... conflicted. I was led to believe this would be a mind-blowing fantasy book of epic proportions but it just felt like I waited for the whole book for that to happen. For me to feel "Whoa, this cannot be real!" And it never did.

I was also quite confused, honestly. I got the gods and places and names all jumbled up. It was taxing trying to remember them all. Sometimes I even forgot whose POV I was reading from.

All that is to say I didn't not enjoy Godkiller. It definitely had its moments. But everything just felt too long. Everything was culminating to this one big reveal that the excitement and anticipation I felt slowly fizzled out the longer I read. But what was it about Godkiller that the thought of DNF-ing it didn't even cross my mind? I have no idea. Maybe it was the writing? Although I did find the dialogue awkward at times. Like it was trying too hard? Maybe it was Elo, Kissen, Ina, and Skedi? This was an unlikely group forced together due to circumstances but somehow they work. I'm still not sure about Skedi though to be honest.

Godkiller left me feeling unsure. And it's weird feeling this way. I'm usually so certain with books. Do I buy myself a copy just for the cover? Do I even read the next one if it comes out? What am I supposed to do?!

I don’t read much fantasy so that’s my disclaimer here! I had to, though, both the title and the cover (and then the synopsis) really pulled me in. I really enjoyed the characters and the writing was so engaging, fun and fast paced. My only complaints are that I wanted a little bit more world building and the little things like more descriptions of the characters’ appearance.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing an eARC for me to review.

Godkiller is an intriguing fantasy story that introduces a world recovering from a war between mortals and gods. In this new world, the gods are depleted in number and those who remain are at risk of death from contracted, highly trained killers.

The story had me hooked from the first chapter. It was well executed and the worldbuilding was subtle but immersive.

The story is told from multiple POVs and I found the development of each of these characters perfect. Time was taken to craft them and it was interesting to see the author take the usual fantasy character types and do something different with them. Not only that, the different reps were handled very well and were woven into the story seamlessly. Kissen is by far, one of the most interesting characters I have read in a long time.

My only quibble was that the book felt too short!

As an aside, I like most of the community probably requested this book based on the cover. It is truly stunning.