I really really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of the Gods, and I was so on edge the whole time trying to figure out what was going on, and what was really going on with Inara. That being said, there was a lot of world-building in this, but I do feel it was necessary to set the scenes. I'm desperately hoping there's a second book, as this was left on a massive cliffhanger!

I actually read this as part of a buddy read, which definitely helped, and actually meant we exchanged lots of opinions and thoughts about the book throughout, which made me enjoy it so much more!

Thanks to NetGalley for the early release in exchange for my honest review.

For more reviews, please check out my Instagram at TikTok at @blondesbooknook or my Twitter at @lausbooknook

I need to recommend this book to everyone. Well written, a great story line and strong likeable characters. It follows Kissen a who loses her family as a child to gods. As an adult she has made her way as a godkiller. She helps a young girl Inara with a god problem. On their travels they meet Elogast a former knight now baker, this unlikely trio team and face truths together. Can not recommend this enough it’s fantasy but I think anyone and everyone would enjoy it

An exciting debut novel by Hannah Kaner. Although somewhat shorter than usual dark fantasy novels, this did not take away from the plot which was driven forward all the way. Written from multiple points of view which can often be difficult and confusing, it was very easy to follow. What I also loved was how unconventional the characters were- not your usual protagonists.

Overall an interesting read which had me hooked throughout. I can't wait to see what Kaner has in store next.

I almost put off reading Godkiller by Hannah Kaner because I wasn’t quite sure if I was in the mood for it, and I am so glad I didn’t. I saw it getting fantastic reviews, including from my friends, and I had to check it out for myself. Right from the start I was swept away by Kaner’s brutally honest and vivid storytelling. The events that Kissin lives through and other characters experience are the awful life changing ones and what I liked about Kaner’s writing style is that there’s no sugar-coating. Life sucks, and you have to keep going, and that’s exactly what Kissin has had to do.

As a veiga, a royally sanctioned killer of gods, Kissin has made a reputation for herself in that field. It’s a huge surprise to her to find herself face to face with a god in a tavern one day with a young girl as its companion. Her every instinct to kill the god is waylaid by the fact that the two share an unknown bond and the young girl, Inara, is asking Kissin of all people for help. When her plan A ends up in disaster, Kissin ends up more involved with Inara and Skediceth than she had planned. She sees a lot of herself in the girl and her friends are no help, convincing her that Kissin is the only one that can help her even if that means going back to a place she said she would never return to.

Kissin isn’t the only one heading back to the city against their own desire. On the road the trio meet a strange man who instantly catches Kissin’s attention. Elogast claims to just be a baker, and while he moves like a warrior, he actually is a baker. Or he has been since the war ended and would have quite happily remained doing so until the King, his best friend, came to him with an explosive revelation. Once upon a time he was the Knight Commander in the King’s army and Ego has no choice to head back to the city where it all began, to face events he’s been hiding from ever since.

His attempt to fly under the radar fails miserably when things get messy on the road, and he joins up with Kissin, Inara and Skediceth. They may all be on the same side when it comes to getting to the city, however, when it comes to why they need to and what they’re doing when they get there no one’s telling the truth.

I loved everything about Godkiller. Kaner has created an incredible world which explores the concept of gods and their symbiotic relationship with humans. Gods are powerful, however, without the worship of humans they have no power. In Godkiller Kaner fully explores every angle of this relationship and that is what makes this book so good. She doesn’t just cover the exploitation of humans by all powerful gods and how it devastates people’s lives, while also delving into the idea of what happens when the gods that people depend on, that are deeply entwined in people’s lives are suddenly not there any more. For example, Ego meets a couple who are looking for a god to remove a blessing placed by a midwife god when the woman was a baby. Two women in her family have already died because of it.

In a world where believing in gods is a crime, people have a difficult choice to make and very few people to trust. Kaner weaves a story filled with secrets, and suspense where no one is innocent. Children like Inara have to grow up fast, and I found Inara’s journey throughout the novel to be believable. She starts as a terrified and ignorant young noble girl who complains about having to give up her luxurious cloak for a more practical – and smelly – travelling cloak.

All the characters in Godkiller have this level of realism, and it was wonderful to read a book with a disabled protagonist where their disability is not the main focus. Kissen lost a leg as a child and wears a prosthetic, and the only time her disability is mentioned is when it’s a practical issue or when it’s relevant. Kaner doesn’t waste words on making sure we know that Kissen is disabled and when she introduces Kissen’s two friends, we know that one uses a wheelchair and one is Deaf only because we’re reading Inara’s narrative who notices as a stranger would. Inara notices and describes their disabilities just as she does their hair colour, and she only knows that one of them is Deaf because she’s using sign language to communicate. There’s no big deal made about them being disabled, the same goes for LGBTQIA+ relationships; Kissens friends are both women and in a relationship and Kissen herself is openly bisexual. It was also extremely appreciated that trauma, especially childhood trauma, was treated respectfully.

Godkiller is a fantastic book with so many twists and turns, and it stuck with me so long after I finished it. Kaner’s debut is a delight and sets up wonderfully for the second book, offering some answers that only create more questions. It has everything and more (including fab disability representation!) that I want to see in a fantasy novel and I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book!

really enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure to start with as I do not gel very well with multiple characters POV's, buuuuut I ended up really enjoying it. The characters had a lot of growth and the plot kept me interesting and turning the page. I was very pleasantly surprised.

This is fantasy and is set in a world with a god for everything imaginable. A number of years ago there was a war between humans and gods and now worship of any kind is no longer allowed because it would restore power to the gods.

This alternates between 4 POVs, we have a young woman who is a godkiller by profession, a man who was a former soldier in the war, a young girl whose entire family was killed - and the god of white lies who is attached to the little girl.

They end up going on this quest together to find out how to detach the god, and how the soldier can save his friend.

The world building in this is excellent, so interesting. But the story wasn't totally keeping me engaged and I did find this a slow read, especially given the length.

This is the first in a series and it's not one where everything is wrapped up, there are still a lot of unanswered questions at the end of this. The opening scene is also very brutal, as a warning!

I did like it enough to read the next book in the series, on the strength of that world building.

3.75 stars

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

4 STARS

A gritty, high fantasy debut. Full of morally ambiguous characters and an in-depth plot that will keep you turning the pages.

Definitely worth a read!

Just incredible. Awesome morally grey characters. I like that even the “pious” of the pairing was fun and ready with a dirty song when needed.
Deaf representation as well as LGBQTA rep.
The gods verse is just, for lack of a better phrase “cool af” I just loved it. I’ve since bought several special edition copies.
So excited for the next book
Thanks!!

Thank you so much, HarperCollins UK and Harper Voyager, for the gifted eARC! I was so ecstatic to receive it!

Now, I just need to get better at remembering that books like Godkiller take me longer to read than most YA books I pick up. We learn and improve for next time! Aka, I won't make the same mistake for The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi. [Which, as we all know, I didn't, since that review got shared first.]

ANYWAY, onto Godkiller thoughts!

Godkiller felt very much like an amazing, smooth blend of the high fantasy I grew up reading and modern writing. It felt like going back to the high fantasy books I read as a kid [yes, I was that weird kid reading books like The Wheel of Time while a pre-teen/teenager], but with a more modern feel. And, honestly, I loved the masterful blending of the two. It's almost definitely going to be at the top of my list of books of 2023.

Another way to describe it is inspiring. Godkiller is everything Game of Thrones is, in terms of high fantasy, without being quite so dark, quite so gritty, and quite so sex-filled. It leaves you with the feeling that anything is possible, both in your own life and, if you're so inclined, in the world of writing.

[Not really spoilers, exactly, but just for your knowledge on what I mean by "a more modern feel": one of the main characters reads as bisexual/queer with a limb difference and scarring; another main character is a POC with PTSD; and a side character is deaf. The world is also queer normative.]

Recommendation: If you love high fantasy and want one with a more modern twist/inclusive content, this is the book for you. If that sort of thing bothers you [PTSD content, queer content, disability content], then it, sadly, probably won't be for you.

Kissen is such a fun, original heroine. She's the kind of woman society pushes ladies NOT to be. She's crass, sassy, and speaks her mind. She's also fantastic. Before you know it, you're attached to her and her success, rooting for her in a way you might originally have thought you wouldn't. Also, I love her disability rep - that you can be disabled but still be an absolute, respected bad-ass [even if that respect comes with the judgemental edge most of the time]. Very few people who have seen her in action have resorted to judging her for her disability - but rather her rough personality. But can you really blame her? After everything she's been through?

Elogast and his story act as what I'll call our first twist to the story? His quest from the King is presented fairly on in the story - during our first chunk from his POV, actually - and acts as the timing element to the story. Kissen, Skediceth, and the noble little girl's drive in the story is still central to the story, but there's no real rush to address their part. It can take as long as it takes - but not Elogast's. The King and his quest can't wait.

Skediceth. He's . . . a handful? [Does that count as a pun?] Honestly, though, the range of emotions Skediceth's presence in the story puts you through is part of what makes this book so enjoyable. He's a complicated character who, in turn, complicates the story. His connection to the noble little girl drives a lot of this story, more so, even, than any part of Kissen's part of the story, honestly. He adds so much dynamic to the story [besides the obvious, which is nettling Kissen by her inability to kill him even though she really, really wants to], and he's not quite what I expected when I picked this book up. I don't want to give too much away, because I enjoyed that discovery that I thought was "spoiled" for me, but, if you've read the story or know details about Skediceth, you already know what I'm talking about.

I can't really speak too much to, "the noble little girl" attached to Skediceth, but I'll say that I was really worried she'd read minor, maybe shallow, maybe flat, but she doesn't. She isn't just part of the packaged deal with Skediceth, but rather her own, complex character. I can't go too much more into her without spoilers, though [including even her name!], so I'll save further discussions regarding her for after the spoiler line.

**AS USUAL, SPOILERS LAY AHEAD! STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T WISH TO BE SPOILED. IF YOU'D LIKE, YOU CAN GO READ THE BOOK AND COME BACK, OR JUST STOP HERE. YOUR CHOICE!**

Inara is the little noble girl's name, just to clarify for all future references to her.

Speaking of Inara, how terrible of a start was that? She went from being a frustrated, isolated noble girl who had a secretive mom and a full house of workers to nothing besides a little god who depended on her to survive. That's insane for a little girl to deal with on top of said little god's expectation for her to find a way to free him from that dependency on her. She loses everything and the only "person" she has leFt is essentially telling her they want to leave her? Talk about rough.

I love that, even though Kissen is talked into taking care of Inara, she doesn't immediately take to her, and instead Kissen slowly begins to care for and be protective of Inara as their journey goes on. It doesn't feel forced or too quick, which is lovely.

Also, I absolutely love the disability rep with Kissen. Her disability doesn't stop her from being a badass, and it's so nice to see a rep that not only tells everyone that disabled people can be badasses, it also shows the "behind the scenes" about it, about how she makes being disabled and being a badass work. You can see what she does to not only make herself be a badass, but you also see her without those "aides" - and not be embarrassed or ashamed by her "unaided" state. Because there's nothing for Kissen to be ashamed or embarrassed about with regards to her disability. And the reader can see that in Kissen.

Elogast being a retired-knight-turned-baker isn't a background or "career progression" I would have expected, but it not only works for Elogast, but I really like it! It's such a unique twist that both works as a plausible choice for his upbringing and for dealing with his past trauma. While it is a super useful skill for journeying, it doesn't feel like a "convenient" part of his character, if that makes sense?

I didn't realize how much I missed the sort of journeying you only really find in high fantasy books. The bridge city was so much fun to read about and imagine! I hope it comes up in a future book. [You can peep some art of that city in the picture at the top of my review! It makes for beautiful endpages!] I can't wait to see what comes in book 2!

I don't know if I'm losing my touch at "knowing how a story is going to go" or if it was just really well done, but I didn't see the King's betrayal until it was right there. How did I miss that?? I'm losing my touch! [That means I need to read more, right?]

In that vein, though, I did see the "pairing" of Kissen and Elo from early on. So at least I still have something going for me? . . . We're not going to talk about it.

I love the word-building with the gods and how they and the people work together. It lends well to being believable that they co-exist the way they do - in harmony and in conflict! Neither feels forced or improbably. It's a world I can completely see existing, and while I might not necessarily want to live in it, I don't see why any given character wouldn't want to.

I'm excited to see how Kissen, Elogast, Inara, and Skediceth all meet up later on, and how their journey continues going forward! The twists in Godkiller were done well enough that I'm very much looking forward to the sequel, and everything Hannah Kaner has in store for us. It doesn't beat out Yellowface as my favorite adult read this year, but, unlike Yellowface, I get to look forward to a sequel, so it has that going in its favor!

As always: be kind, stay safe, and read on!

This was like a breath of fresh air! I loved this book, the world, the way of the gods and how Skedi was both a good and a bad influence. I liked the found family element, and the way Elo and Kissen managed to find mutual interests in Ina. I can't wait for the sequel

This was a really interesting and original story with characters that I liked and wanted to succeed. I enjoyed all four of the perspectives we get in the narrative and thought that the interplay between the characters worked really well. The story itself was compelling and the world building was excellent. There was a real sense of menace to the various gods and the ways in which they could influence people for boons and favours, which I appreciated. The relationship between Inara and Skedi was particularly interesting and I thought this developed in a believable and authentic way. All in all, this was an accomplished and exciting debut and I look forward to reading the follow up.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

So much fun enjoying the ride with the godkiller & co! My only complaint? I wanted more! More pages, more time with the trio & skedi, more everything!

First of all, that cover????? AMAZING!!!
The tiniest details, the design, the art, everything is just perfection 🤌🏼

Coming to the book, read it if you like:
- low stakes cozy fantasy
- great world-building
- marvellous prose
- queer rep
- disability rep

And more!! This novel truly had everything I like! The only complaint I had was that the plot wasn't exciting enough for me. But the rest was absolutely worth it.

Took me a while to get into this and I did download the audio book to help me focus with it but after about 40% I loved it. Really enjoyed the 4 different perspectives and the relationship between Kissen and Inara really reminded me of Geralt and Ciri from the witcher. The world building was fantastic and the ending was chefs kiss. Looking forward to the next book.
4.5⭐️

I think this could be the start of a very strong series! An interesting fantasy about gods and all their power, with well written main characters. Looking forward to seeing where it goes next. Great ending that leaves you needing book two right now!

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner is the first book in the Godkiller Series and the debut of the author.
 
This book is set in a fantasy world with gods and demons. I really liked this setting, and the world was very well crafted. In addition, I wanted to learn as much as possible about the gods because they were just fascinating to me.
 
The protagonist Kissen hates the gods after they killed her family and actively hunts them down. This is also where the book title Godkiller comes from, and it was very fitting for the story. Kissen is a fierce and badass character but at the same time she was very blinded by anger. That made it difficult for me to connect to her.
 
Then there is Skardi, a god of lies whom Kissen can’t kill as he is bound to a mortal body. He was intriguing, but full of lies and mischief and therefore not really trustworthy.
 
The plot is action packed and was what kept me reading the story. I loved seeing more of the world and especially when they got to Blenraden was my favorite part.
 
Overall, Godkiller is a fantasy novel with a great concept and an intriguing world, but the characters lacked depth for me. 3,5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

"The people with the sharpest edges sometimes hid the deepest wounds."

I absolutely adored this book, the world-building and lore was so rich and interesting for such a short book. The concept of the Gods, the way that their offerings work and how they can become corrupt with power was so interesting to learn about, and I loved seeing the development of our little Godling, Skedi, how he grew throughout the book, both in his conviction and love for Inara, and his brief corruption of power when his desire conflicted with his promise. Im also rlly intrigued to learn more about the colours that Inara sees and why as the series continues, and see if my theory about her heritage is true, or if there's something else there. Either way, Im excited to discover more. I also love the queer normative world and the casual disability rep, which we have a severe lack of in fantasy !!!

I felt a strong connection to each of our characters, especially as they grew throughout the book and we learned more about their pasts and what ails them. I loved watching Inara grow from a timid and scared girl into her strength and confidence and determination to not be left behind and lose the little people she has left. I loved seeing Kissen be brash, fierce and unforgiving, but opening up to see the softer and more loving side of her as she grew protective and fond of Inara, Skedi and Elo! I loved learning more about Elo's past and why the war haunts him as much as it does, and why he feels so indebted to Arren and having that betrayal hurt so much when he learns the truth of what is happening. I am very excited for the next installment to see what befalls our cast and see how they grow!!!

There were a few spelling and technical errors innplaces that must have slipped through editing, but not enough for it to be distracting or a problem

You are not welcome here, godkiller

Kissen’s family were killed by zealots of a fire god. Now, she makes a living killing gods, and enjoys it. That is until she finds a god she cannot kill: Skedi, a god of white lies, has somehow bound himself to a young noble, and they are both on the run from unknown assassins.

Joined by a disillusioned knight on a secret quest, they must travel to the ruined city of Blenraden, where the last of the wild gods reside, to each beg a favour.

Pursued by demons, and in the midst of burgeoning civil war, they will all face a reckoning – something is rotting at the heart of their world, and only they can be the ones to stop it.

Some fantasy for you all this week, the first book in a new series from a new author. Godkiller by Hannah Kaner is a tale of secrets, lies and troubled souls.

Due to a traumatic childhood event, and the hard years that have followed, Kissen has closed herself off from the outside world. She has crafted a brittle, abrasive exterior. She has been let down so many times before and steadfastly refuses to let anyone in. No one is going to get the chance to hurt Kissen again. Put it this way, if I looked in a dictionary for the textbook definition of stand-offish there is a good chance her picture would be staring back at me. Kissen’s chosen profession? She’s a godkiller, a blade for hire, tasked with dispatching any deity found within the kingdom. She has quite the reputation, and the good news is that she has the skills to back it up. I think it is fair to say she kicks all manner of ass. Kissen is also not one to mince words. I warmed to her matter-of-fact attitude to life immediately.

Elogast is one of those stoic, principled types who believe in duty over all else. He lives a pained existence having walked away from a leader he had pledged his sword to. Every day, the ever-growing sense of his failings gnaw away at him. Given the opportunity to redeem himself, Elogast can’t help but be drawn back into his former life. His strict code of honour demands it.

The final member of this dysfunctional little trifecta is Inara. In a land where gods are killed on sight, having a celestial being hiding out in your pocket probably isn’t the greatest idea. It doesn’t matter that Skedi, the supernatural entity in question, is only the god of white lies, he is still undeniably a god. There is steel in Inara’s character that felt palpable. Circumstance forces her to grow up quickly. I particularly like the moments where we see flashes of the woman she is going to become.

The relationship that evolves between Kissen, Elogast and Inara is what lies at the heart of the story. Each character is trying to find a sense of purpose in their respective lives. Their journey brings them together, but also forces them to confront their fears. Both Elogast and Kissen have been running from their inner demons for so long that there is a whole heap of emotional baggage to unpack. Add some real demons into the mix for good measure, and you just know things are going to get more than a little complicated.

Don’t worry though action fans. Yes, there is plenty of insightful characterisation in Godkiller but there are also some deliciously tense fights. Kissen will happily indulge the base side of her nature and send any godling screaming back to oblivion in a suitably violent fashion. If in addition there is an opportunity to get paid during the process then so much the better. Kaner deftly balances the emotive elements and visceral bloodshed. This is such self-assured writing I had to keep reminding myself this is her debut.

Godkiller delivers exactly what the first book in any series should, it gives us a captivating beginning. I was quickly caught up in the adventure. Where this story excels over some of its contemporaries is by perfectly capturing the human elements of the story. Kissen, Elogast and Inara are each driven by their own grief. The writing explores some complex and intensely personal issues. Kissen does what she thinks is right, Elogast does what he thinks is right and so does Inara. If everyone is right, why are they all at loggerheads with one another? Godkiller is a story ultimately about the cost of the choices we make. In life, we make decisions and whether they are right or wrong we all have to deal with the consequences.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hannah Kaner’s first novel and look forward to more. I’m always pleased when I find a new author whose writing I immediately connect with.

Godkiller is published by Harper Voyager and is available now.

My musical recommendation to accompany Godkiller is the soundtrack to The Wheel of Time by Lorne Balfe. It perfectly captures the novel’s tone by managing to be epic in scope in one moment and then introspective and thoughtful in the next.

A world of gods and people. Of course there will be no war… right?!

Full of sacrifice, gods and turmoil. Four POV and a lot of story for such a small book!

Kissen, a renowned Veiga or Godkiller. Inara and Skedi, a privileged child and a god of white lies. And Elo, a knight who became a baker. A mix of personalities and secrets, banded together on an ever changing adventure with an explosive climax! Why are they working together? What is the purpose of this unlikely alliance?

Favourite Quote “The people with the sharpest edges sometimes hid the deepest wound”

A great adventure rollercoaster in a small book! Gave me God of War vibes in a world post war.

Thank you NetGalley for the earc of this book

This book blew me away, it was even more than I ever expected. The world building was crafted beautifully, creating a world where humans devote themselves to Gods old and new. Until a war breaks out and now Gods are outlawed.

That's where my favourite trope - found family - steps in. We are introduced to Kissen who reminds me of a female version of Geralt of Rivia. Kissen is an awesome kick-ass God hunter.
We meet Elogast, a former knight who found in the God wars, and Inara - a young girl who is bound to a God.

This book is full of adventure, risk, and heart. I loved the story and dynamic. Please release the next one asap