Author: Hannah Kaner (The Fallen Gods – Book 1)
A dazzling debut that grabbed me by the heart and refused to let go!
Sometimes you pick up a book with cautious optimism, and sometimes you pick one up and within a few pages you just know. Godkiller was one of those magical moments for me. Hannah Kaner has written a debut that’s bold, imaginative, and unashamedly addictive, with characters I fell for faster than I could turn the pages.
At its heart, this is a story about survival, loyalty, and unlikely companionship set against a gorgeously gritty backdrop where gods and humans clash in ways that are equal parts thrilling and heart-breaking. Kaner’s world is rich and tactile, the kind of setting you can practically taste, smell, and stumble through. The descriptions are sharp without being overwhelming, and the pacing is on point, sweeping you along in a tide of tension, wonder, and emotion.
But let’s be honest: what makes Godkiller shine are the characters. I couldn’t get enough of Kissen, our pragmatic, sharp-tongued godkiller with a tragic past and a bone-deep determination to carve her own path. She’s the sort of heroine you root for because she feels flawed and real, not polished or untouchable. Then there’s Inara, the sweet yet resilient little girl with secrets of her own, she absolutely melted my heart. Pair her with Skedi, a god of white lies who’s as mischievous as he is oddly lovable, and you’ve got a duo I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Throw in Elogast, the weary soldier-turned-baker with his quiet strength, and suddenly you’ve got a party of misfits I would happily follow to the ends of the earth.
What I especially loved was how Kaner balanced the banter and heart-warming moments with real stakes. The characters don’t exist in a vacuum, their choices matter, their pain feels genuine, and the dangers they face are palpable. It’s that balance of grit and tenderness that made the book feel so alive to me. I laughed, I worried, I may have teared up once or twice (okay, maybe more than once), and I definitely didn’t want it to end.
For a debut novel, this feels astonishingly confident. Kaner knows exactly when to push, when to pull back, and when to hit you with an emotional sucker punch. The writing is crisp but lyrical, accessible yet layered, in short, it’s everything I want in a modern fantasy.
And the best part? This is only the beginning. I closed the book with that giddy combination of satisfaction and impatience, knowing there’s so much more story to come. I can’t wait to dive into the second book, it’s already high on my TBR pile and I’m positively thrilled to have book three on advance order. If Kaner keeps up this momentum (and I have every confidence she will), this series is going to sit proudly among my all-time fantasy favourites.
In short: Godkiller is an absolute triumph. If you love fantasy that’s brimming with heart, humour, danger, and dazzling imagination, don’t hesitate. This is the start of something truly special.
