Kate's Reviews > Godkiller

I can't believe Hannah Kaner had the audacity to write a book this fucking good! This may be my new favorite read of 2024. This is some seriously good fucking shit. The prologue ended with 💫“I love you,” he said, and threw her to the sea.💫 This was my undoing. However, I knew I was going to love this book the moment I saw that cover.

Plot:
After the great war in Blenraden where many fell at the hands of wild gods, gods are now outlawed in the kingdom of Middren. King Arren, who banished them, pays godkillers to destroy any new ones that may arise. When Kissen, a godkiller, happens upon a young noble child whose soul is bound to a tiny god of White Lies, she sets out on a journey back to the war-ruined city of Blenraden where she plans to ask a favor from a wild god to help the young girl solve her "god problem." Joined by a knight on his own secret quest to Blenraden, the small group are hunted by demons and must rely on each other to survive. Meanwhile, the kingdom is on the brink of civil war and something foul is festering in the heart of Blenraden...

Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book is delicious. A fantasy novel that is written in a way in which you can imagine exactly where the characters are is the absolute crème de la crème. From Lesscia to Estfjor, Talicia to Blenraden--you can truly see the landscape like a painting.🌄 The worldbuilding is so intricate and beautifully written. My favorite place Kaner wrote about is Gefyrton--a little city tucked away within granite cliffs and large, billowy waterfalls along a large riverscape.⛰️🏞️ I can definitely imagine myself living there. The world Kaner created is absolutely magical.

Characters:
The characters in Godkiller will go down as some of my all-time favorites. The book is written from four POVs so we will hit on all four characters. Starting with Kissen. We all know I love an asshole, and Kissen is a certified A+, obstinate, dauntless asshole. She is also a hella queer, disabled queen with a scarred up face and an even more scarred personality, which I love. Kissen may have built her walls high, but that doesn't mean she never lets anyone in. She was orphaned and abused at a young age, but learned resiliency and came out stronger.💪🏽We stan a fucking badass bitch who not only knows how to fight with her fists but can throw verbal hands as well!

💫"Fate was a fairy story and a bullshit one at that; fate could get fucked and go bother someone else."

We also follow Elogast, formerly the King's best friend and most trusted knight commander, now suffering from PTSD after the great war and currently working as a baker.👨🏽‍🍳 Elo is such a sweet opposition to Kessin's harsh personality. The two of them have such a fun dynamic. I also liked seeing his character shift from timid, knight-turned-baker to protective warrior when on the road.🦁

Inara and Skediceth are an interesting addition to the group dynamic. Inara starts out an innocent noble girl and experiences this great character arc when she has to learn to grow up much quicker than she originally planned. Skediceth, the tiny god of White Lies, grows with her.🐰🦌🐦 Gods' fates are so closely intertwined with humanity in this book, and you can clearly see that in the relationship between Skedi and Inara.

Overall Thoughts:
Fantasy books don't usually shy away from divine beings such as gods or other celestial entities. But in Kaner's world, gods cannot exist unless people believe in them and pray to them. Offerings must be made and shrines must be built so that they can survive. This concept is so different from other books I've read. I also love how the characters in Godkiller are so dynamic, well-rounded, and loveable. I instantly connected with them. The book is queer-normative and has so much disability representation in it as well which is awesome to see. This fantasy novel is five stars through and through and I would highly recommend it. I cannot wait to read Sunbringer.☀️

💫“You are worth more than you think. You are still alive; make something of it. Of life, not death.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5