Hammerfall by Rob J. Hayes
Blurb:
How long can a cause remain just, when painted in the blood of innocence?
They named her the Starhammer once. Hero to some, monster to many more. First into the breach at the Shattering, anointed in the blood of a thousand demons. The last of the legendary Valkyr.
But the Starhammer is dead. Or so all the stories tell.
Amidst the soaring trees and haunted slopes of the Primals, Selitha relies on the forest to provide, and cares for her family. Nothing is more precious to her than her daughter.
It is a simple life. It is a peaceful life. It is a lie.
When bandits raid the Primals, burning towns and stealing children from their beds, Selitha has no choice but to lend her axe to the rescue.
Volcanic giants spew ash into the sky, demonic bears claw the forest to splinters, and there are even rumours the kin, half-men half-beasts, serve the raiders. All the Terrors of the old world stand against her.
With a severed head as guide, to rescue the children, Selitha may need to bring the Starhammer back from the dead.
But will it be the hero who rises from the grave, or the monster?
A new standalone fantasy adventure set in the world of the God Eater Saga. Inspired by Norse mythology and the God of War games, it's perfect for readers of John Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga.
Review:
Hammerfall was my introduction into the God Eater Saga and I CANNOT wait to continue with the series after reading this standalone novel. Hammerfall is a vicious peek into a world of angel-eating demons and dark, child sacrifices intent on releasing Sin upon a gritty world straight out of Norse mythology. While Hammerfall itself has a fairly simple, linear storyline with a single POV narration, the worldbuilding and lore that is hinted at is massive. Rob promises that this is a standalone novel, and it certainly is. But try just reading this, absorbing all of these hints of deep, complex lore, and tell me you’re not going to be reading EVERY single book in this series? Absolutely not.
Hammerfall follows Selitha, an angel from the First Age who was created by the murdered God, who has fallen from grace and taken up residence with a mortal, allowing him to partake of her immortality gifting blood. Angels of the First Age, particularly her Valkyr sisters, were created for one purpose. To kill and sow destruction in God’s name. But God is dead and Selitha has attempted to create a peaceful life in the wake of her Fall. Her superficially idyllic life is shattered when a group of bandits wreaks havoc, kidnapping all of the villagers’ children, and she is thrown back to her old way of life.
“Be the shield that blocks the sword. The hammer that strikes off the chains. Be the light in the darkness, guiding the way.”
Hammerfall is a classic fantasy epic with a ragtag group of scoundrels and villagers who have come together to save their children in a chase across dangerous lands. There is a re-animated Head with enough wit and crass humor to steal the show in many scenes. A stalwart, strong, silent villager who is searching for his son. A mysterious hunter. And a greedy vagabond who has been outcast throughout his life. The band of saviors is fun and interacts well together, with each character having their own unique voice and motivations. This is a short novel, but it feels remarkably well fleshed out.
The strongest point of this novel is the huge world that you’re dropped into, with deep lore that is integral to the story but leaves you wanting more and more. Throughout the story, Hayes is masterfully dolling out nuggets of history that alter the way you view the entire book. The history of this world is extremely intriguing; multiple times throughout Hammerfall I found myself excited to read the remainder of the “trilogy of trilogies,” knowing that one of the trilogies is set 3,000 years in the past and the other, 1,000 years. Both of which were touchstone times for events mentioned by Selitha throughout Hammerfall.
“I do not think the scales matter as much as you say, Mother. They are weighted by the past, but I think the deeds of the present are far more important. And more so even than the deeds is the meaning behind them.”
While much of this book is dark and violent, there is a surprisingly tender side to the relationship between Selitha and her Daughter. The core of this story is focused around the relationships between parent and child: whether between the villagers and their lost kids, Selitha and her Daughter, Nail or Head and their fathers, or Selitha and God. This provides a much needed juxtaposition and justification for the brutality throughout the rest of the book.
“But I have always known the world is uncaring. It just never mattered, because I have always known that you cared. And I would rather you love me than a whole world of others.”
Hammerfall is the perfect novel for dipping your toe into the God Eater Saga. It is fairly short, especially by epic fantasy standards, so the commitment is small. If you love the novel and are craving more (like me!) then you’re in luck because there are already 3 more novels within the Saga that are written. If you’re a psycho and don’t love what Hayes is offering up for you on a platter of divine metal with angel blood dripping from the sides, then no real loss because it’s a standalone and you can move on to your next series. Hammerfall invites us into a dark, gritty world with rich lore and deep worldbuilding with flawed characters that you want to learn more about.
