This book did not end up working for me. I tried to read it upon receiving the ARC last year, but grew bored within a couple of chapters and put it aside until I was in a fantasy mood. I finally picked it up again recently, as I had been craving fantasy. Unfortunately, I still found myself uninterested in the plot or characters. I forced my way through 60% of the book before deciding, officially, that this book is not for me.
If a slow paced book is still your speed and you enjoyed the first book in this series, I would still recommend Sunbringer, but it ended up being a let down for me.

This is the second book to the series and I will say I liked the first book better but this one was not bad!

This is a great book, part of a great series. There's a strong Nordic or Scandinavian fairytale vibe, but the characters are deeper, more developed, and less predictable. It's a good story, set in an interesting world, with likeable characters, and very well written. This series seems to be great media attention, well deserved, so you don't have to take my word for it.

After the cliffhanger in book 1 I absolutely loved that this book jumps back right where we left off. We get to follow along the same POVs we had in the first book, with Kissen, Inara, Skedi, and Elo all finding their way back to the world they thought they were saving. We also get an additional POV of the king, which adds a lot to the storyline.

Out characters are all split during this book, but the events they go through, the gods they meet, the people they interact with, it all works so well that the slit doesnt really get in the way of the great plot.

Cant wait for the next book in the series!

Sunbringer, book 2 in the high fantasy Fallen Gods triology, takes place in the immediate aftermath of the events of Godkiller. Believing that Kissen is dead after sacrificing herself to stop the god Hseth, Elogast and Inara return to Kissen's family in Lessica. There they find a rebellion brewing against King Arren, who has both outlawed gods and aligned himself with one to gain power. Kissen, meanwhile, has survived with the aid of the god Ossiden and is on a harrowing journey back home. Along the way, she sees that enemies of Middren, the lands that King Arren rules, are amassing resources and planning an invasion. It's a race against time to warn the king, stop a rebellion, and find her family.

This is a beautifully written, complex fantasy series, with memorable characters. While Sunbringer isn't as engrossing as Godkiller, it's an important installment for advancing the storyline.

"Still reeling from the loss of Kissen, young noble Inara and her little god of white lies, Skedi, have set out to discover more about the true nature of their bond. As the divide between gods and humans widens, Inara and Skedi will uncover secrets that could determine the fate of the war to come.
Meanwhile, Elogast, no longer a loyal knight of King Arren, has been tasked with killing the man he once called friend. The king vowed to eradicate all gods throughout the land, but has now entered into an unholy pact with the most dangerous of them all. And where his heart once beat, a god now burns. . ."

This book was alright. After reading Godkiller, I was fascinated with this world Kaner created. But I was disappointed with Sunbringer. I was bored from the start and couldn't get interested in the story. I ended up dnf this book unfortunately. I definitely recommend Godkiller though, the world building and characters were amazing. I am not sure why it didn't follow to this book. Will pick up other series/books Hannah Kaner writes though.

Cawpile: 7.29

This sequel jumps right back into where book 1 left off and explores new parts of this fantasy world. I enjoyed seeing more of the world and learning more of the rich lore of the gods in this world. The author did an amazing job stitching together a high fantasy story line that feels a little slow at first but wraps up in a short number of pages. The story follows the same characters as the first book as they unravel secrets of their world, while adding an additional POV that added a lot to the story. The characters are split for this book but I think it was necessary for each character to pursue their own goals, but made me miss seeing the relationships between the main characters.

The story had a few twists that may surprise readers and a few that were hinted at pretty heavily. I will say this book definitely felt more like a build book, there were some good plot points and world building but didn’t feel as amazing as the first book. I am looking forward to see how the trilogy is completed in the next book.

I would recommend this for anyone looking for a less intense high fantasy series or someone who is looking for a read with an interesting god based magic system. I would not recommend this those who have not read the first book as it may be a little confusing.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

Sunbringer is an interesting addition to the Fallen Gods trilogy. This second book shifts away some from the action the first held but allows us to focus more on our main characters' development and the worldbuilding. I think in the end, for me this series feels more like interesting ideas and less good use of those ideas. It has too many point-of-view characters, and I think that held me back from really connecting with any of them. I also didn't enjoy that our characters were split up in this novel when they could have been brought back together sooner.

I am not disabled in the same way Kissen is, so I can only base my opinion on what other disabled readers have said, but this seems like great representation, which feels rare in a fantasy story. While I don't think I'm going to continue with this series unless book three has fantastic reviews, I do see why so many people love this story, and I would still highly recommend it.

While I did enjoy this installment of the Fallen Gods trilogy, it does seem to suffer a bit of "middle book syndrome." It didn't feel as engaging as the first installment, but knowing the characters from Godkiller kept me in the story. I do want to continue the series however with Faithbreaker!

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner is an excellent second installment in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the characters' unique journeys unfold, with each one facing new challenges that deepened their development. The complexity of the story kept me engaged, blending rich world-building with intricate character arcs. Kaner masterfully weaves together personal struggles with broader narrative themes, creating a compelling and immersive experience. This book not only expands on the foundation set in the first but also introduces fresh dynamics that elevate the story. Overall, it’s a captivating continuation that leaves me excited for what comes next.

As a big fan of Godkiller, I went into this a little trepidatiously as I do every sequel to a book I adored. I need not have tiptoed. Just as well written and compelling as the first and a new favorite I can return to again.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.

Thanks you NetGalley for the ebook arc for my honest review, unfortunately this series is not for me. I’ve tried multiple times and just cannot get into this book. 4 star from me cause just because I didn’t enjoy the book doesn’t mean it’s terrible

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

The adventure continues with Elo, Skedi, and Inara – Returning from their last quest, and recovering from the loss of Kissen, a new problem awaits them… King Erin is plotting a war, and every land is at risk of his power.
Godkiller was more of a one-shot singular adventure and Sunbringer allowed the world to expand and develop more fully. I liked the world-building, but I also think I was mentally expecting a similar story structure as Godkiller. I liked the addition of the new gods and the more expansive information on this world. It did feel a little like the author was providing every character with a diverse and queer backstory – which felt a little forced… and I appreciate that she wants to have more diverse characters in the book, but with how many were in the story, it felt false to me. Overall, I am on board and ready for the next book in the series.

Content Warning: death, violence, murder, demon shadow things, betrayal, graphic death, blood, body horror

3 Stars

Book was okay. I requested it before reading the first book and it just didn’t have a great path to follow. The plot was interesting but the writing was hard to keep me attention for long.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Team for this Advanced Digital Readers Copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Amazing sequel to this series! I loved how it had the right twists at the right times! It was beautifully written!

This is probably one of the best sequels I've ever read. It really builds upon everything that was set up in Godkiller and then some!

I love this series with its adult characters (except for the one child) and the spectacular world building.

The struggle between man and outlawed gods continues, with the motley crew of Kissen, godkiller, Elogast, former knight, and the young girl Inara with her god Skedi. Things get more complicated as King Arren begins to move toward his goals without the help of Elogast, and Kissen tries to make her way back to the group.

I started this one and was so confused I had to go back and reread Godkiller to figure out what was happening, so I don't think this could be read independently of the first book.

This one ended on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the next one!

An epic fantasy with a strong focus on heroism, destiny, and resilience, Sunbringer brings an inspiring tale that feels grand in scope yet intimate in character. The world is richly imagined, and the themes of light versus darkness are explored with nuance. It’s a must-read for fans of high fantasy looking for a mix of action and philosophical depth, with brave characters that stay with you after the final page.