Just like Northern Wrath, the pacing in this book (despite its significant length) is immaculate. You’re never bored; each POV character has something to offer (except maybe Ragnar; his parts got fairly repetitive). There’s quite a lot of brutality and gore; Holdt doesn’t shy away from the grisly parts of war and honestly I found that rather refreshing. So many chapters ended with interesting and brutal deaths.

I always come back to Hilda and Einer though. They are the anchor of the story, with Tyra and Siv and Buntrugg at a slight remove, then Finn and Svend and Sigismund and Ragnar beyond that. Hilda goes through so much and is a force of perseverance throughout, and her ending was just… perfect for her, after all she’d been through. And Einer who is just and warm and kind but always tugged along by greater powers, searching endlessly for… something has nothing more to find.

I will say that there is one major plot point that’s left unresolved, and I find that frustrating given how much effort is spent on it throughout. And also we don’t get Tyra’s end, which is pretty much the only one we miss from the main cast. But damn this whole series is a force to be reckoned with.

Also, petition for more chonky and complicated series to include quick spoilery summaries at the beginning. Please and thank you.

With Ragnarok approaching, our main characters must either pick a side or work to change the end result by helping some gods or plotting against them.

"It's time the nine worlds got their way. Let the shackles fall and let the Darkness consume us, as it was always meant to do."

The focal theme of this book was Ragnarok, the enormous war between giants and gods that caused unimaginable death. Loose ends get tied, and those who died proving their bravery, find their place in Valhalla. If you're familiar with Norse Mythology, you know beforehand what's going to happen, but rest assured, you get enough plot twists to keep you guessing. I did not see that ending coming!

One of my favorite characters was Hilda, the shield maiden whose resilience, despite losing her sight, is inspiring. She is fierce and loyal and wants recognition from Odin.

As we rush towards Ragnarok, the gods take a back seat in this saga's climax, yet they are still very much present. Hilda feels obligated to fight for her god, Odin after Loki convinces Einer to support him at Ragnarok.

The Hanged God trilogy is a fascinating read steeped in folklore, with multiple POVs, many gods, demons, giants, nine realms, and storylines that intertwine in one intricate tale. Prepare for epic battles and gut-wrenching deaths, but at the end of the day, you'll be happy with how fates tied all the threads.
More at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/slaughtered-gods-by-thilde-kold-holdt-book-review

Having read and loved the first two books, Northern Wrath and Shackled Fates I couldn’t wait to pick this final book up. As this is the final book in the trilogy I won’t go into too much detail.

I must admit I was a little worried it up to the high expectation I had set but there was no need to worry as Slaughtered Gods is a fantastic end to a gripping trilogy. It’s brilliantly written just like the previous books and honestly couldn’t get enough of the characters and world building.

Thilde Kold Holdt is an amazing writer and I think this is the first time I’ve loved and given every book in a trilogy 5 stars!! I can’t wait to see what this author has instore for her readers next.

If you’re looking for a fast action packed Trilogy with plenty of world building and fantastic characters then this is a trilogy to pick up.

There could have not been a more epic conclusion to this trilogy. Every second of reading this felt like I was home with my friends, no matter how gory, bloody, or sad the content got.
I loved reading this book.

4.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley, Solaris and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This trilogy was epic in scale and achievement. Although I wasn’t as gripped by the second two instalments as the first, I still found Slaughtered Gods utterly magical (it may have been a mindset issue as I have had a lot going on personally since I read Northern Wrath..) I adore the characters, especially Einer, and the atmosphere of raiding and adventuring combined with magic and mythology was captivating. I have learnt a lot about the Norse myths in the past few years, and this was a beautiful and unique take that was so complex, logical and well fleshed out. We see the expected names: the famous Aesir and Vanir, Loki’s children, certain Jotuns etc. But we also get glimpses of less well-known figures such as Skadi, Hod and Surt. We even meet Skoll and Hati, and get chapters directly narrated by Huginn & Muninn and a Muspelheim demon who goes by Muspeldottir. The Hanged God trilogy is a wonderfully immerse, complex and high-stakes story, with intricate characters, gorgeous Northern settings (in Midgard and other worlds), and a compelling narrative. If you love Vikings you HAVE to read this, and I think any fan of epic/grimdark fantasy will also have a great time with this trilogy (although I will say that it definitely helps you get the most out of this story if you have some background knowledge of Norse mythology).

What an epic finale! Just like Shackled Fates, Slaughtered Gods picks up right after the previous installment, though we're first given a summary of all that's happened so far — which is very helpful given the multitude of characters and plots we've encountered and have been following.

It's a brilliant finish, with twists to delight even those already familiar with the myths. Thilde continues to seamlessly weave a complex, detailed world and story, and there's almost a movie-like quality to it in that I could very easily visualize what was going on as if I was watching a film. It might get unwieldy for those who are used to single or few POVs, but if you were able to get through A Song of Ice and Fire (or the Game of Thrones TV series), with all their simultaneous plotlines and heaps of POVs, you'll be just fine. Better still, Slaughtered Gods closes out the trilogy really well!

I've been disappointed many times before by the last book of a series. Part of it is when things you want to happen don't happen, or, worse, the author fails to reconcile the various storylines and come up with a satisfying conclusion. Thilde, bless her, does not fail in the second. I really think she's a skald or norn now 😉 And while there were things that didn't go the way I wanted, that's a matter of reader preference, not bad writing. (I did feel less attached to the characters by this point, for some inexplicable reason, but I guess that also goes back to the whole deal about my favorites not getting the ends I hoped for them. Alas, I was attached to a lot of the minor characters, and less to Hilda LOL!)

This trilogy is definitely among my top reads for the year, and I'm already looking forward to what Thilde's writing next!

RECOMMENDED LISTENING: "Ragnarok" by Danheim

I always love Norse Mythology and it is long time I read book in this theme.I am genuinely grateful started read this story without any expectations and open mind to enjoyed all the flows. Actually this is a finale book from trilogy and delivered epic closure for all readers. I am kinda struggled at beginning to found my step because I missed the previous books. The author is new name and this is my first read but this book really really amazes me.

The worldbuilding is amazing and have superb details but still easy to follow. Nine realms are well described and the characters are mesmerizing. They draws me to engaging into their stories. And all battle scenes... oh my are top of the chart. It is gritty, high stakes and all scenes make me sit on edge nervously.
I would love to check another installment from the author and enjoy another good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Sollaris Rebellion for provided me with this copy. My thoughts are my own.

A brilliant conclusion! This trilogy is so good. Holdt utilizes the time period so well and wraps everything up very nicely. I wish I had another book!

An epic ending to an epic.

Yet another sucker punch the whole way through. I did not anticipate that ending! There were twists and turns I didn’t expect.

Holdt tells a phenomenal story wrapped in chaos and hope, and left me eager to scrub up on Norse mythology.

SLAUGHTERED GODS is the epic finale to this trilogy as Ragnarok comes and all men and giants and gods must face destiny.

As you might have guessed from the fact this book follows the end of the world according to Norse mythology, there is a lot of fighting in this book. In fact, Ragnarok takes up a full third of this book (at least!) It really shows off the scope of the battle, how it encompasses all the nine realms, and causes absolute destruction to the way things were.

The story told through the battle (and before!) is of gods and giants and men trying to thwart the end of all things - or trying to ensure all end and that some don't sneakily survive. It gives the battle stakes, because there is that possibility that some might survive and you, the reader, have to decide if you want that or not. It becomes more than just everyone destroying each other because fate said so.

I liked that, among all these heroic deaths of characters striving to fulfil specific goals, there were "pointless" deaths - characters who were just killed. They didn't have goals, were just part of the battle. Their deaths achieved nothing nor were the consequence of attempting something. It helped it feel more realistic, give a face to countless number who were fighting because they were fighting, the ones without a stake in it.

In all, it is an ending that feels suitably and satisfyingly epic and unpredictable, playing with the mythology and creating a tale of destruction and defiance.

Slaughtered Gods delivered a cracking end to a gripping series. A book I was so anxious to read but one I was loath to finish. I eked it out as long as I could drip feeding myself the story to savour it longer thus delaying the end. It finished in a style befitting its glorious Norse mythology. I couldn't be happier with the way the fates tied all the threads. The strength of the story remained steadfast and enduring. A monumental achievement, this.

Trilogies are difficult as the final book is often anticlimactic. Not so, here. Ragnarok, that huge carnage inducing battle between gods and giants, was the anchoring point of this novel. All the characters we grew to know and care for over the previous books face the seemingly endless night battle in different ways offering heroic feats and understanding behind the way of things. Mysteries are solved as the story unfolds bringing peace to some and a few reunions as well. It was masterfully written and that dedication to the story translated well on the page. The Hanged Gods Trilogy is sure to become a cult classic and deservedly so.

The Slaughtered Gods is the final book in the Hanged God trilogy. Thilde Kold Holdt does a fantastic job of weaving Norse mythology into this trilogy, inspired by Snorri Sturluson of the Icelandic sagas. What makes this trilogy work is the ability to set the scene and build strong characters in which you can believe. Characters you just love to hate like in Game of Thrones. Both Hilda (fighting the gods) and Einar (fighting giants) are such great characters who build and drive your emotions. There is a great cast supporting many points of views especially Ragnar and Loki to name a few. Kold Holdt does an excellent job of reinterpreting the famous Norse myths giving this saga a fresh reinterpretation, and imbuing the book with a folkloric, mythical feel to the whole Hanged God trilogy. Overall, a brilliant series and one that plays on your emotions, highs and lows, action, and moments of reflection. Based on this trilogy, I anticipate what comes next from Hilde Kold Holdt.

Thank you NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for granting me an arc of this book.

"It's time the nine worlds got their way. Let the shackles fall and let the Darkness consume us, as it was always meant to do."

Thilde Kold Holdt just nailed the dismount. A series with multiple POV's, nine realms, countless gods, giants, creatures and numerous threads to resolve and it's all done just brilliantly and is completely satisfying!! As the story continues, everyone knows that Ragnarok is on the horizon and each of our main POV'S is working to either choose a side or change how Ragnarok is expected to unfold. Hilda, Einer, Tyra, Svend, Thora and Finn are all striving to engineer changes to the fates that have been written either by helping various gods or by plotting against them. As everyone gets pulled toward the plains of Asgard and sure death, we see how each of the characters stories find the ending they sought, just often in an unexpected way.

Honestly, I am in awe of how Thilde brings this all to an end. This story is so large and expansive, with so much going on, yet it never feels overwhelming. There are of course still epic battles and heartbreaking deaths, yet nothing seems rushed to a conclusion. All these characters that I have become so attached to find an ending that, while sometimes sad, are also very fulfilling. I finished the story shedding a few tears feeling immensely satisfied with how things happened "at the end of all things" and so glad I found this trilogy.
Many thanks to Rebellion Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

With a title like that, you know shits about to hit the fan. This book marks the end of The hanged God trilogy which is a Norse mythology inspired fantasy, a perfectly time conclusion with God of War Ragnorok coming out next month as well. This was just as full of battles as the other two if not more. Just huge armies battling in a massively high stakes plot. I think this series in criminally underrated.

Book Review - Slaughtered Gods

So we’re here - Ragnarok is within touching distance. Time to choose a side!!

I want to start this review by thanking Netgally and Rebellion Publishing for making me very happy by approving my arc request for this highly anticipated book.

After reading books 1 & 2 back to back, I’m not sure I could’ve waited for the release date to read book 3.

In Slaughtered Gods we return to our favourite characters after a time jump of 3 winters. As foretold on the eve of Ragnarok a 3 year harsh winter will arrive.

During those 3 winters we find Einer with his giant grandparents in Jotunheim, Helda with the Nornir in Asgard and Tyra still in Migard but now preparing for a new marriage.

Something to note here is the fact that time in Midgard moves much faster. Therefore it has been significantly longer than 3 years, Tyra is now a grown women.

From the outset this book was action filled. We had so many battles to experience and enjoy. This is largely due to so many of our key characters being spread across the 9 worlds, each fighting for their Honour, glory or survival.

Slaughtered Gods was fast paced with so much happening at once, which made this story a real page turner. When I finished a chapter I just wanted to continue on until I went back to that character and found out what happened next.

If you love fast paced, action packed stories you will love this.

The final 30% of this book is an all out battle, Ragnarok in it bloody finest.

One question that was constant throughout reading this series was how will Thilde brings this story to a close with so many intricate storylines and possibilities.

It safe to say Thilde absolutely nailed it.
Deep in the heart of Ragnarok we watch as all the fated storylines are span together to a bloody conclusion.

Slaughtered Gods is an exquisite ending to such a brilliant trilogy. I’m hoping everyone picks up this series, you will not regret it.

Rating 10/10 ⭐️

Fantastic story and end to the trilogy. Thilde has really knocked it out of the park and I can't wait to see what she creates next.

So, here we are at the end of "The Hanged God Trilogy" and I don't know if I should concentrate my review on how sad that makes me or just rave about all 3 books! "Slaughtered Gods" was everything I hoped for, tied up with a bow. Thilde Kold Holdt is an amazing tale-teller, setting scenes to live in, building characters to love and hate, and taking the reader on a truly incedible journey. I hope there are many more books on the horizon.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

Slaughtered Gods is a good finale to this Norse Mythology inspired series, although I do have to say that I didn't feel the same kind of attachment to this one as I did to the first two books.

Slaughtered Gods is the satisfying conclusion to the Hanged God trilogy. Full of gods, monsters, Norse mythology, bravery, strong characters, a bloodthirsty battle to end all others and so much heart, this has been one of my favourite series of recent years.
The main characters are all back and we see those that have died finding their places in Valhalla and Helheim, depending on whether they were warriors who proved their bravery during their short lives.
We follow the lives of a small group of people who started out in the town of Ash-Hill, which was burned in a raid in book 1 of the series. They are still our principle characters, especially warrior and half-giant Einer, Norn prophet Hilda, Finn, who is now an elderly thrall, and Ragnar the skald who shares his name with the famous final battle where the gods will die. The gods are secondary characters in this conclusion to the saga as we hurtle towards Ragnarok - but they are still very much present. Loki persuades Einer to fight for him at Ragnarok and Hilda feels duty bound to fight for her god, Odin.

“Loki knew how to terrify. Everything was carefully plotted. Every single action he had taken had been planned so precisely that Einer felt a glimmer of hope that he, too, would be successful in his task. Because Loki had chosen him for it.”

We also have fire demons, Jotun giants and Loki’s monstrous children, Hel, Fenrir and the Midgard Worm taking centre stage as Ragnarok approaches.

“Water splashed onto the deck. The ship rocked and Einer lost his footing, falling backwards onto deck. Summoned out of the waters came the Midgard Worm in all its glory. Teeth glistened in the light of Loki’s fires. Its green skin was sleek, and water dripped down the length of it. The ship rocked. Sailors squealed and yelled and clung on for life. The Midgard Worm screeched.”

Hilda has been a favourite character throughout this series - she just never gives up, despite losing her sight, her destiny and the ability to be recognized by anyone who has ever known her. She is the epitome of a fierce shieldmaiden who longs for recognition from her god and to be given a place at his table in Valhalla. More depth of character is added to her via her Norn blood and new ability to weave fates.
The final battle, when it arrives, is epic to say the least, very exciting, and lasts a good while, almost a quarter the length of the book, but the way the narrative switches between each of the main characters during the battle keeps the excitement levels high and the bloodthirstiness of the battle will be popular with many dark fantasy fans.

There is an almost dreamlike quality to Kold Holdt’s writing as she retells the famous myths with her own fresh interpretation - which I love and which really adds dimension to the folkloric, mythical feel of the overall story she is weaving, I cannot recommend this series more highly.

“Death to all gods” shout the Damned as the march into The Ragnarök.

And so we come to the Twilight of the Gods in this conclusion to the Hanged God trilogy is a modern rendition of Snorri’s Icelandic Eddas putting in just enough personal spin to make it fresh and interesting for everybody. None of these three (3) books should be read by themselves … so plan on reading the trilogy straight through for the best experience. As might be expected in mythology sourced stories, the more interactions you get with the supernatural … the weirder things get … book three (3) is no exception (so you do get some over the top fantasy here). If you are familiar with the Norse myths here … you probably have a good idea how all of this ends … but we get a few twists that keep you guessing until the end; such as a norm who no longer has a fate and who can theoretically weave a new one for the gods. The primary POV are from Hilda (fighting with the gods) and Einar (fighting with giants) … and these are by far my favorite characters. Supporting POV comes from Ragnar “The StoryTeller” and Tyra … who purpose is somewhat harder to figure out other than helping build out the world. The story actually spins Loki and the giants more sympathetically than I expected … making them something like tragic anti-heroes and the gods as really really cruel to match the hard life of the times. In all, I really enjoyed this twist on a familiar story.

<Spoiler>
I. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3391480519">Northern Wrath</a>
II. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4188545628">Shackled Fates</a>
</Spoiler>

I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#SlaughteredGods #TheHangedGod #NetGalley.