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 first taste of Rob J. Hayes’ GodEater world, and it immediately left me wanting more.
I originally picked this book up because the cover stopped me in my tracks. It promised something bold and brutal, and thankfully the story inside fully delivers on that promise. While Hammerfall sits within the wider GodEater series, it reads cleanly as a standalone, making it a great entry point for readers curious about the world without committing to a long saga upfront.
The story follows an angel who has walked away from war. After the great conflicts have ended, she has carved out a quiet life with her family, choosing peace over the endless cycle of violence she was created for. That fragile calm is broken when a group of hunters arrive, desperate for help. Their children have been taken, claimed by a looming and ancient evil, and the only hope of saving them lies with a legendary weapon known as the Star Hammer and the angel who once wielded it.
From there, the book launches into a fast-paced, action-heavy journey across a harsh and unforgiving world. The plot itself is fairly direct, but it never feels thin. Hayes uses that simplicity to his advantage, allowing the focus to stay on the characters, the danger they face, and the choices they are forced to make along the way.
One of the standout elements of Hammerfall is how much depth is packed into a relatively short novel. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming. You’re dropped into a setting that feels old, scarred, and layered with history, with just enough lore revealed to spark curiosity rather than slow the story down. There’s a clear sense that this world stretches far beyond the pages of this book.
Thematically, Hammerfall has more on its mind than just epic battles. It explores the idea that immortality is not inherently a gift, but a burden that carries loss, regret, and exhaustion alongside power. Greed is shown as a destructive force that leads people away from what truly matters, while emotional control and restraint are framed as strengths rather than weaknesses. These themes sit naturally within the story and add weight to every fight and decision.
Despite the darkness and violence, there are moments of genuine tenderness, particularly in the relationships between parents and children. Whether it’s mortals searching for their lost kids or an immortal trying to protect the family she chose, that emotional core grounds the story and gives meaning to the brutality surrounding it.
By the time I reached the end, Hammerfall had done exactly what a strong standalone within a larger series should do. It told a complete, satisfying story while leaving me eager to explore more of the GodEater saga. If this book is any indication of what Rob J. Hayes has planned for this world, I’m more than ready to continue the journey.
