Review: Godkiller

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Having thrown myself into the world of fantasy literature in the past year, I was excited to dive into Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. I hoped for a breathtaking journey filled with gods, legends, and complex characters, and I almost got it. While the book was often satisfying, it still left me wanting more.

Kaner builds a captivating realm where deities and humans intertwine, narrating the tale from several viewpoints. Every character faces their own challenges and shortcomings, adding depth to the storyline. Kissen, the protagonist, stands out as a tough deity-slayer with a troubled history, and her loathing for the gods comes across. We also meet Elogast, a former knight who now bakes, grappling with his self-image after years of heroism. The story introduces Inara, a noticeable noblewoman, and her enigmatic companion Skedi, whose bond brings another intriguing aspect to the story.

One of the standout features of Godkiller is its representation. I truly appreciated the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ lead, characters dealing with mental illness, and a protagonist navigating life with a prosthetic leg. These elements make the book feel more relatable and relevant to contemporary readers. The incorporation of sign language into the world also adds depth to character interactions, enriching the narrative in a way that feels organic.

When it comes to world-building, Kaner is really onto something! The gods and mythology are well-thought-out. However, with the book being just 300 pages, some parts did feel a bit rushed. I found myself wanting her to dig deeper into the characters' backstories and the world they inhabit. It felt like we were only starting to scratch the surface when the book came to an end, leaving me hoping for more detail. Perhaps she’ll expand on this in the second book of the series.

The pacing of the story is another aspect that didn’t fully hit the mark for me. While there are some exciting action scenes, there are also moments where the plot slows down a bit too much. There were times when I was tempted to skip ahead to the next big reveal. A tighter narrative could have helped keep the momentum going throughout.

In conclusion, Godkiller is a promising debut that really shows off Hannah Kaner’s potential as a fantasy writer. It’s got strong character development, fascinating world-building, and excellent representation. While it didn’t quite reach the same level as some of my favourites — like The Mistborn Saga or The Shadow of What Was Lost — it’s still a solid read for any fantasy lover. I’m definitely keen to see how Kaner builds on this in her future works.

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