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?
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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 :
"Reads like a love-letter to John Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga & the God of War games... Brilliant!" - FanFiAddict
"Reminiscent of David Gemmel's LEGEND, but darker." - Goodreads Review
"...about a once great warrior trying to raise her family, but has to take up her axe and become what she swore to never again be." - Goodreads Review
"A great cast, action packed story, and a talking head who should really learn when to shut up, make this one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in 2025." - Steve McHugh
"Hayes is a master storyteller at the height of his dark power. Epic in scale, rich in world history, Hammerfall is all heart!" - Michael R. Fletcher
"If you want a tale that balances thrilling adventure with a sense of tragic myth worthy of Ragnarok, look no further than Hammerfall." - Sarah Lin, author of The Weirkey Chronicles
"Hammerfall is a fast, relentless, dark fantasy adventure that absolutely refuses to let up until it runs out of pages. It's an absolute blast." - John Bierce, author of Mage Errant
"Desperate and intimate, this is epic fantasy executed to perfection on a very personal scale." - Michael Michel, author of Price of Power.
