Godkiller by Hannah Kaner Summary, Characters and Themes
Godkiller is a gripping dark fantasy novel set in a world where gods are real, dangerous, and hunted.
Following the brutal aftermath of a war between mortals and divine beings, gods are outlawed, and specialized warriors known as godkillers rise to exterminate them. The story revolves around Kissen, a fierce godkiller scarred by personal loss, who crosses paths with Inara, a noble girl bound to Skedi, a mischievous god of white lies. Joined by Elogast, a disillusioned knight haunted by past betrayals, the trio embarks on a perilous journey that challenges their loyalties, identities, and the fragile line between humanity and divinity.
Summary
In the kingdom of Middren, gods walk among mortals—but their existence is more curse than blessing. After a catastrophic war between gods and humans, the kingdom outlaws all gods, branding them as threats to human freedom. To enforce this law, warriors known as veiga, or godkillers, are trained to hunt and exterminate divine beings.
Among them is Kissen, a fierce, battle-hardened godkiller whose hatred for gods runs deeper than duty.
Her family was destroyed by zealots of a fire god, leaving her with nothing but scars and a burning need for vengeance. Armed with a briddite dagger—a weapon forged to kill gods—Kissen thrives in the bloody work of divine extermination, her heart closed off to anything but survival.
Kissen’s world is upended when she encounters Inara Craier, a young noble girl fleeing assassins with a forbidden secret: she’s bound to a god. Skediceth, or Skedi, is a small god of white lies, mischievous and sly, yet strangely endearing. Their bond is not voluntary—it causes them both physical pain when separated, making them fugitives under Middren’s anti-god laws.
Despite Kissen’s deep-seated hatred for gods, she’s reluctantly drawn into Inara’s plight, intrigued by the impossibility of Skedi’s existence and the mystery surrounding their connection.
As Kissen, Inara, and Skedi journey through god-haunted lands, they meet Elogast (Elo), a former knight turned wandering exile. Elogast carries his own burdens: once loyal to King Arren, his childhood friend, he betrayed the king during the war against the gods. Guilt and regret haunt him, but he’s on a secret mission tied to Arren’s descent into tyranny.
When the king seized divine power—a literal god’s flame embedded in his chest—he became obsessed with controlling both mortals and gods, transforming into a shadow of the noble man he once was.
Together, this unlikely trio—an embittered godkiller, a frightened noble girl, a disgraced knight, and a god who shouldn’t exist—must journey to Blenraden, the forbidden city where the last wild gods reside.
Blenraden holds answers: for Inara, the key to breaking her bond with Skedi; for Elogast, a chance at redemption; and for Kissen, perhaps the truth behind her hatred and what it has cost her. Along the way, they face countless dangers—shadow demons born of divine corruption, rebel factions fighting against the crown, and gods who refuse to die quietly.
The road is fraught with more than physical threats. Kissen’s emotional armor begins to crack as she grows attached to Inara and even begrudgingly tolerates Skedi’s antics.
Elogast’s loyalty is tested when he confronts the reality of what Arren has become—a king consumed by divine madness, wielding godly power at the expense of his humanity. Inara grapples with the duality of her bond with Skedi; he’s both protector and manipulator, blurring the line between companionship and control. Their relationship forces Inara to confront her own autonomy and the fear of being defined by something—or someone—else.
As they near Blenraden, secrets unravel. Inara’s connection to Skedi isn’t just a curse; it grants her the ability to see emotional “colors,” auras that hint at deeper, latent powers tied to her very identity. Skedi’s playful lies mask a desperate fear of abandonment, hinting at the fragility of even the gods.
Elogast must face Arren, whose obsession with divine power has twisted him into something monstrous. The final confrontation is brutal and heart-wrenching—loyalties are shattered, sacrifices made, and the fragile boundary between mortal and divine threatens to collapse entirely.
In the aftermath, none of them remain the same. Kissen, once defined by her hatred, faces the cost of her relentless vengeance. Inara begins to step out from Skedi’s shadow, embracing her strength beyond their bond.
Elogast’s quest for redemption takes on new meaning, shaped by the choices he’s made and the lives he’s touched. Godkiller is a tale of power, betrayal, and the messy, beautiful complexity of human—and divine—connection.
Characters
Kissen
Kissen is the embodiment of vengeance and resilience, shaped by the personal tragedy of losing her family to divine intervention. As a godkiller, she is highly skilled and deadly, wielding a briddite dagger that can kill gods. Her hatred for the divine is deeply personal, stemming from the destruction wreaked upon her family by zealots of a fire god. This traumatic past has hardened her exterior, leading her to become a ruthless and cold-hearted hunter of gods.
Despite her fierce exterior, Kissen’s character arc is one of emotional unraveling. Throughout the story, she finds herself forming unexpected bonds with others, especially Inara and Elogast. Kissen struggles with vulnerability and the emotional consequences of her violent actions, questioning her purpose and the morality of her lifelong mission. As her relationships deepen, she confronts her inner wounds, which, over time, start to redefine her role as a godkiller.
Inara Craier
Inara’s journey is driven by a tragic and complex bond with Skediceth (Skedi), a god of white lies. Since childhood, Inara has been bound to Skedi, an illegal and dangerous connection in a world that has outlawed gods. This bond causes immense pain for both her and Skedi whenever they are separated. Inara’s life is one of secrecy and survival, as she flees from the kingdom’s laws and the ever-present threat of godkillers.
Her character arc is one of growth from a fragile, sheltered girl to a determined and self-reliant young woman. She is not merely a victim of her bond with Skedi; she is also a person seeking answers about her past and the origin of her connection to the god. Inara’s emotional and spiritual evolution is central to the plot, especially as she learns to navigate the complexities of her bond with Skedi and her own autonomy. The manipulation from Skedi and the trust she places in Kissen create inner conflicts that propel her growth, ultimately leading her to embrace her own unique power.
Elogast
Elogast, known as Elo, is a former knight who carries the weight of guilt from his betrayal of King Arren. His past is filled with memories of war and the moral consequences of his actions, particularly his role in the downfall of the kingdom and his strained relationship with Arren. This guilt manifests in his stoic, melancholic demeanor, making him an emotionally distant character.
Elogast’s journey is one of redemption, where he seeks to atone for his past mistakes. His arc revolves around reconciling with his own sense of loyalty, especially when faced with the reality that the person he once served, King Arren, has become a tyrant corrupted by divine power. Elogast is torn between his past loyalty and the reality of Arren’s descent into madness, which culminates in a heart-wrenching confrontation.
Alongside Kissen and Inara, Elo learns to face the consequences of his past and begins to rebuild his identity, finding purpose in his quest for redemption and a renewed sense of honor.
Skediceth (Skedi)
Skedi is a small god of white lies, embodying the power of deception, manipulation, and emotional control. His character is multifaceted; on one hand, Skedi is playful, mischievous, and seems to possess a carefree attitude toward life. On the other hand, he has a darker side, especially when it comes to his bond with Inara. This bond is both a gift and a curse, as it creates an emotional dependency between the two.
Skedi can manipulate Inara’s emotions, controlling her actions in moments of crisis, leading to internal conflicts and distrust between them. His character arc is tied to his fear of abandonment and his struggle with the complexities of divine existence in a world that rejects gods. Despite his apparent lighthearted nature, Skedi is a deeply insecure and complex being, afraid of losing the only connection he has with a human. His manipulation and emotional control over Inara add a layer of toxicity to their bond, which plays a significant role in the overarching themes of trust, autonomy, and dependence in the story.
King Arren
King Arren’s character represents the tragic fall of a once-noble leader. His descent into corruption is marked by his obsession with controlling gods and using their powers for his own purposes. Initially a charismatic and righteous ruler, Arren is transformed by the power of a god’s flame embedded in his chest. This divine flame slowly consumes him, both physically and mentally, leading to his transformation into a tyrant.
Arren’s character arc is one of moral decay, as his desire for divine power drives him further away from the man he once was. His relationship with Elogast, his former friend and knight, is central to his story. The betrayal by Elogast during the war, combined with his growing obsession with the gods, leads him down a dark path that culminates in a tragic and fatal confrontation. Arren is a tragic figure—once full of promise, now consumed by the very power he sought to control, ultimately losing his humanity in the process.
Themes
How Mortals and Gods Are Destroyed by Their Own Desire for Control
In Godkiller, the theme of power is explored deeply from both divine and human perspectives. Power, whether in the hands of gods or mortals, is presented as inherently corrupting.
The gods, once revered, have caused untold destruction, and their power over humans is a constant source of strife. The kingdom of Middren’s decision to outlaw gods stems from a deep desire to control these divine beings who have brought ruin to their world.
However, the humans, in turn, seek to control and eradicate the gods, wielding the same destructive power through godkillers like Kissen. The gods themselves, such as Skedi, represent the complexities of power and manipulation—both playful and dangerous.
Characters like King Arren illustrate the corrosive effects of divine power on mortals. Arren’s possession of a god’s flame within his chest symbolizes a literal and figurative consuming of his humanity by divine power, ultimately transforming him into a tyrant.
The theme emphasizes that power, when left unchecked or when used for selfish purposes, inevitably leads to devastation. This occurs whether through divine intervention or the lust for control.
The Undeniable Bonds Between Beings of Mortal and Divine Origins
The relationships between characters in Godkiller reveal the precarious nature of trust and loyalty, especially when gods and mortals are involved. Inara’s bond with Skedi, the god of white lies, is central to this theme.
Their connection is both a curse and a lifeline, leading to a complex dynamic where emotional dependence and manipulation intertwine. Skedi’s ability to control Inara’s emotions illustrates the fine line between companionship and coercion, making their relationship a study of manipulation, dependency, and the consequences of godly influence.
Kissen, a seasoned godkiller, forms a reluctant yet emotional bond with Inara and Elogast. Her deep mistrust of gods and, by extension, those who associate with them, is challenged as she finds herself caring for those who complicate her worldview.
Meanwhile, Elogast’s loyalty to King Arren, once his close friend, is tested as he faces the reality that Arren is now consumed by his desire for divine power. In this way, the novel explores the concept of loyalty, questioning whether true allegiance can survive the corrupting forces of power and whether forgiveness can heal the wounds of betrayal.
How Pain, Loss, and Guilt Shape the Characters’ Journeys and Define Their Lives
Suffering plays a pivotal role in the development of the main characters, shaping their personalities, actions, and ultimate decisions. Kissen’s hatred for gods stems from the trauma of losing her family to divine forces, which pushes her to become a godkiller.
Her life is one of constant revenge and emotional armor, trying to bury her pain beneath her work. Yet as the story progresses, Kissen is forced to confront the emotional consequences of her actions.
Her hardened exterior cracks, revealing a person deeply scarred by loss and in need of connection. Inara’s suffering is tied to the loss of her family and the burden of her forbidden bond with Skedi.
As a result, she is on a quest for self-discovery, trying to unravel the mysteries surrounding her connection with the god. In this journey, Inara learns to grow from her fragility and into someone capable of making hard choices.
Elogast, a former knight, is haunted by guilt over his betrayal of King Arren and the role he played in the downfall of his kingdom. His quest for redemption is not just a physical one but an internal battle to reconcile with the past and make amends for his mistakes.
Ultimately, each character’s suffering leads them on a journey of self-awareness and emotional growth, where they must come to terms with their past in order to shape their future.
Exploring the Burden of Responsibility and the Weight of Sacrifice in a Broken World
One of the central themes in Godkiller is the concept of reluctant heroism. None of the protagonists set out to be heroes; instead, they are shaped by their circumstances and the needs of others.
Kissen, as a godkiller, is motivated by revenge and a desire to protect others from the gods, but she never seeks out the role of a hero. Her journey reveals that heroism often comes at the cost of personal sacrifice, as she must confront not only gods but also her emotional vulnerability.
Inara, similarly, does not begin her journey with the goal of becoming a savior but instead seeks to understand and free herself from the god’s bond. Over time, she begins to understand the true weight of her situation and the responsibility that comes with it.
Elogast, meanwhile, seeks redemption for his past actions, especially the betrayal of his former friend, King Arren. The trio’s journey to Blenraden is fraught with personal sacrifice and moments where they must choose between their own desires and the greater good.
The theme of reluctant heroism shows that true heroism is often born out of necessity rather than choice. The responsibility to protect, save, and fight for what is right can be an overwhelming burden.
How Personal Choices and Divine Intervention Shape the Path of the Protagonists in the Face of Imminent Catastrophe
In Godkiller, the theme of fate and free will is examined through the characters’ struggles to forge their own paths while being pulled in directions beyond their control. Inara’s bond with Skedi serves as a metaphor for the tension between destiny and choice.
Her bond to the god is an inescapable force, but over time, she comes to understand that her fate is not entirely written for her. She has the power to make choices that will impact her future.
Kissen’s life has been shaped by the tragic loss of her family, but her journey reveals that she is not entirely bound by the path of revenge that she has walked for so long. The very act of opening herself up to others—something she has been unwilling to do—illustrates the way free will can break the chains of fate.
Elogast, too, faces a moral reckoning in his relationship with King Arren. His past choices have led him down a dark path, but he must decide whether to allow those choices to define his future or take control of his destiny.
The novel suggests that while the influence of gods and fate is undeniable, it is the characters’ ability to make decisions in the face of overwhelming circumstances that determines the outcome of their journey. This complex interplay between fate and free will drives the narrative forward and shapes the ultimate resolution of the story.