https://lynns-books.com/2021/05/10/the-shadow-of-the-gods-the-bloodsworn-saga-1-by-john-gwynne/
5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Brilliant

I absolutely loved The Shadow of the Gods, in fact it’s possibly the best book I’ve read in a long time. It made me happy every time I picked it up, I was caught in the age old dilemma of racing to the end to discover what happens at the same time as wanting to slow down my reading so that the story wouldn’t end too quickly. This is a story that feels refreshingly unique and yet epicly familiar and it had me talking out loud in awe at certain points. In a nutshell this book gave me a warm glow, it made me smile more often than I thought possible, it was gripping and heart wrenching and the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading fantasy so very much. Mr Gwynne, I salute you for bringing back to me the joy of reading. This review will be unabashadley gushing in nature. I want everyone to read this book, in fact I want to read it again to see what I missed the first time around.

As soon as I heard that Gwynne was writing a Norse inspired story I was onboard. What better type of story for a talented writer of battle scenes than a Viking style saga set in a world of dead Gods and filled with mythical creatures and monsters? This story from this author – what can I say, it’s like a perfect match.

Shadow of the Gods is set in a world shattered and reformed following the demise of warring Gods. Relics and bones are sought after for their magical qualities and descendents of the Gods still exist, their god blessed blood giving them strange abilities. Such people are known as ‘tainted’. They generally keep their natures secret as they’re feared and loathed in equal amounts and also hunted down and enslaved more often than not.

The story is told by three characters, each sets out on their own path although ultimately their stories converge (remember that patience is a virtue). I won’t deny that I had a firm favourite amongst the three and so I’ll start with that particular character. Orka is a huntress and former warrior. She now lives a quiet life with her husband and son (Thorkell and Breca) but the peace they have found is about to be shattered. Children are being taken, stolen in the night or violently torn from their parents for unknown purposes. In one night Orka’s world is changed and she sets off on a path that is awe inspiring to behold. Orka is such a great character. She’s an absolute tigress and yet at the same time her maternal instincts, although initially buried beneath a stern exterior, are so emotionally touching. Don’t get me wrong, she made me so frustrated with the way she rushed into situations with very little thought of her own safety or how she’d get back out of such situations but her reckless behaviour and furious onslaughts were certainly never dull to read about and I just couldn’t help but become attached to her in very short order. We also meet Varg, an escaped slave (or thrall) who seeks vengeance for his murdered sister. Unfortunately Varg has no idea who commited the crime and seeks magical aid to recreate her last moments and uncover her murderer. Varg, hunted himself, becomes embroiled with a band of mercenaries known as The Bloodsworn. In this company he finds friendship, respect and a camaraderie that he has never experienced before which leaves him warring with the desire to stay with his new found friends and the need to fulfill the oath he has sworn to his sister. I loved The Bloodsworn, their endeavours and stories made for some excellent smile inducing reading. Finally we have Elvar. A woman with a secret past. Elvar dreams of renown earned through battles and brave deeds. Taken in and trained by the Battle Grim she finds herself taking part in an adventure that could possibly be sung about throughout the ages (if all goes to plan that is).

The driver of the plot is the missing children but underlying this is the nagging at the back of your brain that these children are being taken for a definite purpose and it’s this undercurrent that really ramps up the tension.

I loved the world building here. Vigrið is the perfect combination of warm familiarity and uniquely new creation. There are trolls and other critters living in the woods, creatures that will hunt and kill. Orka, for example, seems to be bonded to two incredibly strange creatures. One with a venomous sting that seems to live under a rock and has the creepiest description ever and the other that seems like a tiny flying dragon with a penchant for teeth! And really, was there a need for Night Wyrms! Seriously, their particular brand of horror will haunt my dreams for a while yet to come. Everything about this world just screams epic. The landscape itself, the dead Gods, magnificent beasts such as Snakes, Wolves and Dragons. The battleground on which their remains lie buried. Tree spirits or protectors. The attention to detail about everyday life that brings the place to life. The magnificently depicted fight sequences, bloody and brilliant to read. And the writing which is simply spot on and evocative with little extras such as Svik, one of the Bloodsworn, who likes to tell funny stories.

What I thought was really well done here – is that Gwynne makes you invest in all three storylines, you become attached to the characters and their flaws. The motivations at play are well realised and there’s an ever increasing sense of dread for what’s about to happen. And yet, the conclusion also makes you realise that these groups are quite likely to come into conflict in future instalments and for me this felt masterfully executed. Certainly, one of the groups is truly mercenary, their ‘heroic’ deeds driven by the love of coin as much as the desire to earn fame for their fighting prowess. Basically, though I had little doubting moments at the back of my mind, I still found myself liking the characters which for me is a testament to how well written they are. They feel believable. Flawed, conflicted, motivated, strong, likable, secretive, sneaky, sometimes funny, relatable characters basically.

I think I may have mentioned that this review may be ‘gushing’ in nature and to reinforce that I would just clarify – this book is excellent. I can’t recommend it enough to be honest. It has this wonderful old school feel to it that invokes Tolkien, Beowolf and tales of Ragnarok but at the same time it stands on it’s own feet in the most refreshingly unique way.

Masterfully done.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

e-arc received from net galley and orbit books.

When first learning of The Bloodsworn Saga, I was of course excited for another story from the excellent John Gywnne, but I was also nervous about leaving the Banished Lands for a completely new world.

In the end, there was nothing to be nervous about as Gywnne created another fascinating world that truly feels real. That is one of the biggest strengths I feel like this book has. The Norse inspired world is fully realized and I very much enjoyed learning about it. Gywnne’s ability to create such distinctive worlds is truly masterful.

The story features 3 main POV characters, all of which feel like very different people. It was very interesting to see the different backgrounds that each of these characters came from. Each character was unique causing very little confusion about who was who.

While I loved the characters and the world, it did take me a while to see where the book was leading and it was over before we got a lot of answers. Normally I would find this frustrating, but with loving Gywnne’s other works, I know that everything has a purpose and I am prepared for an action packed book 2.

Overall I really enjoyed this first installment of this new series, and I cannot wait for the sequel to be released.

I’ve long been forewarned of John Gwynne’s ruthlessness. The author’s loyal fans are as avid as they are cautious, and Gwynne’s work has long been heralded as a portent of both great brilliance…and great pain.

For some yet unexplored psychological reason, that quickly made Gwynne an author whose works I desperately longed to explore, a chance his latest release promptly provided. True to promise, The Shadow the Gods introduced me to a Norse-inspired world infused with mythology, vengeance, and betrayal.

The land of Vigrið is shaped by the remnants of legendary gods, who have long died in an ancient, monumental battle that remade the world and its people. The god’s memory lives on in their bones and the blood that flows through the veins of their divine offspring.

This memory is a double-edged sword that cuts the world; while their bones are either plundered for riches or used as strongholds for jarls and queens, their children are enslaved as thralls for their incredible supernatural powers.

Gwynne reimagines traditional tales and beings of myth such as the poisoning-punishment of Loki, the binding of Fenrir, Ragnarök, Níðhöggr, Yggdrasil and its eagle, and many others in which lovers of the richness of Norse folklore may relish. The author adapts a mythology that holds many in wonder, and uses every moment to remind us that the world is full of monsters, whatever the kind.

But it’s in the way it works its characters that The Shadow of the Gods truly reaches its most epic proportions, as a character-driven journey focusing its characters and the growing (or fraught) bonds between them.

In setting up three different storylines, Gwynne covers mercenary fellowships, deserting daughters, revenge quests, found-family, the political ambitions of queens and jarls, the personal vendettas of princes from far-off countries, and, of course, intriguing, often blood-thirsty, fantasy creatures.

As Orka, Varg, and Elvar set out on different journeys, their fates are entwined by family, revenge and (how could it not be) blood. For sons, sisters, fathers, battle-glory and riches, their paths will uncover a sinister plot that may reshape the world as they know it.

My attention could falter due to the travel-monster-travel-monster loop of the plot, but one quickly realises that the author’s peaceful slow-build, used to set up his characters and world, is much like the calm before the storm. That suspicious tingle is ever-present for a greater part of the book, that hmmm this has less…suffering...than expected…before the fierce hammer that is a fantasy author’s imagination to destroy a reader’s heart strikes. Gwynne writes like I imagine he learned to fight during his re-enactments with carefully placed strikes, unexpectedly delivered, and blows that hit so fast they don’t allow you time to breathe.

With battle scenes that feel visceral, writing so dynamic it would translate perfectly into film, and cunningly adapted myth, The Shadow of the Gods is an epic poem in novel form, with lots of guts (both figuratively and literally), action-packed and masterfully imagined.

The publishing company provided me with an e-book version of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. You can check out my Youtube video full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEbOjnVMJX4

I absolutely loved this book; it's hands down a 5-star read for me. I really enjoyed all 3 major POV characters, as the story POV shifted from chapter to chapter. It's as if the author John Gwynne knows all of my fantasy reading preferences and put them together in this book with: interesting creatures, terrifying monsters, caring characters with different emotional layers, realistic family members and friendships dealt with along the journeys of the characters, and lots of fantastic battle scenes.

Without saying spoilers, in the end, I didn't even mind that it was only book one of a series with some serious story threads to continue because the characters had serious emotional moments to finish out the book. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/BscxDMH2BJQ

I received an ARC from Orbit in exchange for an honest review.

With The Faithful and the Fallen firmly entrenched into my Top 10 fantasy series of all time, John Gwynne stepping out of the Banished Lands for the first time was kind of bittersweet. As my second favorite working modern fantasy author today, I'm all aboard when it comes to Ol' Vicious Pen starting up a new series. But would it just make me long for Corban and the gang again?

Not even close.

With the first book in the planned Bloodsworn trilogy, Gwynne hits us with a living, breathing fantastical world wrapped up in Viking and Norse culture and lore and gives us his usual dose of incredible action, intriguing new characters, and more twists and turns than in the coils of a giant sea serpent.

While more grounded in scope than previous series, Bloodsworn focuses on just three POV character this go around. Orka, a trapper with a mysterious past trying to lead a quiet life with her family. Elvar, a shieldmaiden that has left her lie in nobility in search of battle fame. And Varg, a new recruit into the renowned Bloodsworn who seeks revenge upon those who have taken a member of his family away.

While grounded in a smaller cast of characters than his previous works, the same grim fantasy elements that separate Gwynne from other modern fantasy authors are very much still prevalent. Creatures of incredible imagination, both familiar and unique, as well as a look at the lifestyle of Viking culture and mythology.

Shadow of the Gods is one of the best new world setups I can remember reading in the last decade. Never rushed and leaving you wanting more, John Gwynne's first steps outside of the Banished Lands seem to be giant leaps.

Highest of recommends and I can't wait for Dead Gods Rising in 2022.

<i>This is a world of blood. Of tooth and claw and sharp iron. Of short lives and painful deaths.</i>

The Shadow of the Gods is the first in The Bloodsworn Trilogy by author John Gwynne and, oh, what, an epic first it is. The world is based on Norse mythology and takes places a century after the gods warred against each other and, in the process, destroyed themselves and the world as it was. Now, all these years later, it is populated by warriors, monsters, and the human descendants of those dead gods called the Tainted - powerful, feared by most and hunted by mercenaries to be sold as Thralls (slaves). There is a cast of hundreds it seems but is divided by three main protagonists:

Orka - once a warrior now living with her husband and son in a once quiet steading but now on the verge of change

Varg - a Thrall, running after escaping from his master and set on revenge for the death of his sister

Elvar - a young warrior, seeking her fame and fortune as part of a group of monster hunters

Each is a unique character with their own backstory, traits, and purpose, all of which is slowly revealed as the story progresses.

This is a fairly long book but. despite it's length, it captured my interest right from the first page and never let go. One hint to any future readers - I made the mistake of beginning this book just before bedtime. Big mistake as it is nigh unputdownable. The story moves along at a fairly frenetic pace with lots of action and bloody battle scenes separated by fascinating descriptions of the world - not only the landscape but the food, the clothing, the battle weapons and armour, and the legends told around the campfires.

As the first book in a trilogy, it's purpose is to introduce us to the world and the characters as well as a set up for the rest of the story. And it does that wonderfully. It's been a while since I found a fantasy series that sucked me in so quickly and kept my attention throughout. My only regret - now I have to wait impatiently for the next in the series. So, if you like fantasy with great world building, interesting characters to cheer on or, conversely, hate, with unique monsters, great writing, and a story that keeps your attention throughout, trust me when I say you have to read this book.

<Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

If the cover of this book hasn't already convinced you to read it (which HELLO giant dragon. seriously. DRAGON) then let me try.
John Gwynne has created a cast of characters that is dynamic, and loveable. Within a few chapters, Gwynne can give you a perfect idea of who these people are, and make you root for them without really knowing what they want or where their story is going. One of the best parts of Gwynne's books is his cast of characters. There's never a dull one, not even among the animals/creatures.
Gwynne did a masterful job weaving together these three separate plot lines, taking us across the lands and watching as their stories slowly come together, as the pieces fall into place. The mystery is intriguing and we get just enough reveals to keep us on the edge of our seats the entire book, including a WILD last few chapters, an intense ending, and last few lines that leave you with your jaw on the floor. CAN I HAVE THE SECOND BOOK ALREADY?
Honestly, this is a masterpiece from start to finish, it's adventurous, fun, the battle scenes are epic, the magic is easy to manage and understand and something not seen very often in fantasy. It's a perfect blend of older epic fantasies with a modern twist to it.

My Rating: 10/10
(You may all pretend you are surprised about this)

Review:
“This is what it must have felt like to be one of Orna’s daughters, Orka thought, to fly and rule the skies, and she whooped with the joy of it.”

I am a sucker for anything mythology based and after participating in Norsevember last year, I am even more interested in Norse mythology.

In The Shadow of the Gods, Gwynne captures the duality of the Norsemen; a lightheartedness that makes their fighting abilities all the more fearsome. When dying in battle means eternal glory, there’s nothing to lose. These warriors will cut your throat with a laugh in their throat and alternatively, die with a smile on their face. One of the characters named Svik is a prime example of this— a man who always has a joke on his lips but is a fierce combatant. Though Svik is a side character, he’s one of my favorites and is a testament to Gwynne’s ability to make all of his characters shine.

In general, Gwynne has such a lovely writing style. He is capable of writing brutal, bloodthirsty battle scenes. In the next breath, he will make us laugh out loud. You’ll find yourself wiping tears from your eyes as he prod at the tender parts of your heart with his masterful writing. I found The Shadow of the Gods so fulfilling; with characters thirsting for revenge, the deep themes of maternal love, characters finding family in their traveling companions, and of course, some good old-fashioned skull-knocking.

“‘Brothers, sisters, are we ready?” Svik said to them, all humour gone from him. ‘Remember, we are Bloodsworn, bound to one another. Stand or fall, we are sworn to each other. That is our strength.’ Nods, grunts. Svik looked at Varg and Torvik. ‘Well, not you two, but if you survive this . . .’ He shrugged and grinned.”

The battles! Does reading about or seeing a shield wall ever get old? Give me all of the shield walls. Nothing demonstrates a cohesive team of warriors the way a tightly-ran shield wall does. Gwynne does an excellent job at writing these scenes and making you feel the claustrophobia involved in being a part of one. I will be the first to admit that I often glaze over while reading battle scenes but Gwynne writes them so expertly that I have no choice but to hang onto every word. I actually look forward to the fight scenes in his books.

The characters in this novel are as endearing and standout as any of Gwynne’s other novels. If you’ve read any reviews of this book, you’ve undoubtably heard about the main characters. Fierce, maternal Orka. Brave, lucky Varg. Cunning, adventurous Elvar. These three, alongside a cast of intriguing side characters, fill the story with heart and excitement. Where it gets really interesting— and in my opinion, an area where Gwynne excels in his novels— is the incorporation of vaesen. They are the creatures that lurk in the shadows of this world (and sometimes, plain in sight) and they are astounding. Gwynne is no stranger to using animal or creatures as companions/foes in his novels, but he only gets more genius in his integration of them as he puts out books.

I think it’s time we talk about something, though…
We really need a name for what Gwynne does. This constant, absolutely breathtaking storytelling! The way he gets your heart rate up from the first few chapters of his novel and keeps it consistently on the verge of heart attack! The wonderfully explosive endings to his books! He never lets up and he never lets us down. He’s one of the few authors I know that keeps a constant, blazing momentum throughout his books. Sanderson has the Sanderlanche. Should we coin this the Gwynnercane or the Gwynnederstorm? What about the Gwynnenado?

Okay, okay. I can already feel the glares and groans through my screen. I’ll let you guys come up with a name for it and stop embarrassing myself here. Bottom line: The Shadow of the Gods is beyond words and is without a doubt going to be a wonderful set up to the rest of the series. That ending! I already can’t wait to read the next installment. What are you waiting for? Go grab a copy!

“Men die, women die, all creatures of flesh and blood die, but battle-fame survives. To become a song, a saga-tale told from generation to generation. That way we will live for ever. That is what I want, what all of us want.”

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, a good book. I felt it needed more intro as it feels it dumps you straight into the story without a chance to understand the characters and settings but I did enjoy the book.

“𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.”

My first introduction to Gwynne, The Shadow of the Gods is the first book in the Bloodsworn Saga and, oh man, I cannot wait for the next book! It definitely rattled my thought- cage 😃. This one has everything you could want in an epic fantasy novel; Badass characters, crazy monsters, bloody battles and amazing world building!

“𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣.”

Told on a smaller scale from just 3 different viewpoints rather than many POVs, I didn’t find myself getting lost trying to keep track of who was who like when I first read Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. Don’t get me wrong, I love those books immensely, but it was nice to just read this without getting confused or going back to figure out what I missed! Alongside the main characters were some strong supporting characters with some comic relief thrown in which I love, and some cool non-human characters which I also love. There was also a magic system that was not overly complex ( in a good way), and unique story settings.

If your looking for a a vengeance fulled, Norse mythology inspired saga that will have you wanting more, then grab your axe and throw on your battle gear, because your in for one hell of an adventure!

I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Review for The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

A huge thank you Orbit for the early copy!

Summary:
“After the old gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrio.


Now, power-hungry jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power, promising fame and fortune for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.”




My Thoughts
My lord, this book was everything that I wanted from Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and so much more.
This is a new Norse-inspired book from Gwynne, and it did not disappoint. After binge reading the entirety of The Faithful and the Fallen in February, I was so excited to be offered an early copy of this. Dare I say that I love Elvar, Orka, and Varg even more than Corban and Co.?

If you, like me, spent your formative high school years playing countless hours of Skyrim, you should pick this one up. The pacing is phenomenal, and I came to care for these characters so much and so quickly. The way that each chapter flowed into the next honestly made it feel like a brilliantly made TV-show was playing in my head. If this gets adapted, it would be absolutely stunning.

But Delaney, what is it about?
We follow our 3 main characters as they all are affected by jarls wanting more power, more land, and more money. There are monsters, including night wyrms, which gave me the actual heebie jeebies to think about, and much more lurking in the woods at night. Some jarls have heard about the power that the bones of the old gods hold and want to own them much like they want to own everything else. But what will happen when they’re found?

I honestly could not put this book down. I read until almost 3AM the night before leaving town for a work trip, knowing I had to be up a few hours later, but not having the willpower to set the book down. This has a cataclysmic ending, and I cannot wait to read book two.


Overall (TLDR)
If you’re a fan of Skyrim or Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, or you just want to enjoy a spectacularly told Norse-inspired fantasy, I highly recommend this. Gwynne excels at his character work, his worldbuilding, and the action in this felt effortless to read and was so compelling.
I absolutely adored this one and would give it a 4.5/5 stars. I can’t wait to see where these characters go, and I hope that they all make it out alive.

Thank you as always to Orbit for the review copy!

5/5 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2021/05/07/the-shadow-of-the-gods-by-john-gwynne-review/

The gods are dead. The world is broken.

Three hundred years have passed since the old gods fell, breaking and reshaping the world in their passing. Monsters roam the land—a remnant of the world before. Petty kings and queens have seized control and now vie for whatever power has been left behind. Myths and legends, bones of the fallen gods, and children born of their tainted blood—the Jarls compete for whatever will distinguish them from the rest, all with the same aim: to write their story to be told alongside the old gods before them.

Orka has had her fill of power. Having long since escaped the world of blood and kings, she and her husband now live in the wilds with their young bairn. But she can’t escape the past, nor the machinations of those seeking more power.

Varg has worn a collar his entire life, since both he and his sister were sold to a wealthy landowner as thralls. Ever since Varg has been satisfied to survive—until his sister was killed. His quest to avenge Frøya’s murder will take him to places he never imagined, and find family he never knew existed.

Elvar is a mercenary, seeking to write her own saga in the blood of her enemies. Hired to find an escaped thrall, her band comes into possession of the man’s wife and child, who eventually lead them on a quest to unearth a myth—and the power and glory that it holds.

It seems that the better a book is, the harder it becomes for me to talk about it. And this one is absolutely amazing. Surely by now you’ve seen some hype for it, some 5 star reviews and—if you’ve yet to experience it yourself—are wondering if it’s really all that good. Well, it is. It really, really is.

Shadow of the Gods is truly a masterclass in execution. The world-building is on par with that of the Banished Lands, as the Bloodsworn Saga introduces us to a lush land of Vikings, monsters and gods—all seeking power and glory. While I wouldn’t call SotG a dark fantasy, the descriptions do lend quite a bit of darkness to the story, so much so that in my imagination, the world always carried a bit of a dusky cast. Shadowy forests, deep fjords, seedy taverns and slums, brochs, longhouses and earthworks all added to the dark, Viking feel so much that the entire thing rendered in my head like some ambient Wardruna video.

The description really is amazing. Each setting is rendered in such detail that I felt as if I’d been there and was just reliving the memory.

As with most of his books, SotG emphasizes the dishonor of the bow, so all combat is restricted to a close-quarters brawl. This, combined with the description and style of writing, made everything feel so much more immersive, almost as if I was experiencing something from memory rather than reading about it. Through the setting and world-building and detail, this one really came alive, and I can’t find the right words to convey just how amazing this was!

TL;DR

While I’m not sure yet if I loved it quite as much as Ruin, Shadow of the Gods is certainly one of the best books of the year and on the shortlist of my all-time favorites. I mean, I’m sure I could rave about this for another page or two and it wouldn’t convey anything more than “you should read it, it’s really that good”—so I’m going to leave it at that. But, yeah, you should read it. It’s really THAT good.

A fantastic start to a new, Norse-inspired series. For full thoughts and character analysis, please see the review I've posted on my Youtube channel, Sarah Reads. Thanks once again to netgalley for the ARC and I hope that everyone who picks this one up enjoys!

Wow... wow... wow... this was my first John Gwynne book and I will be reading more from him in the future. Gwynne has such a talent at writing characters, and making you care deeply about them. The Norse mythology sprinkled throughout was terrific and I can’t wait until book two. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in an exchange for an honest review. 5 Stars!!

In typical John Gwynne style, this book is AMAZING. I could not put it down. 5/5 forever. There is so much at stake, constantly, and I was always left wanting to know what would come next. I adored this book from start to finish. If that's not enough - DRAGONS!

Do you know what makes the best stories? Believable characters that you can understand, a plot compelling you forward, and a sufficiently detailed world for you to be immersed within. “The Shadow of the Gods” has them all.
Gwynne has given us a manageable number of main characters to follow and a robust supporting cast that does not feel too large. They feather out to help paint the broader picture, and each is necessary to move the story forward.
While I love the character development, I especially value the detail of the world Gwynne creates for this first book in The Bloodsworn Trilogy. He has done his homework in Norse mythology and medieval warfare and it shows. His battle scenes are so accurate and rich that your body physically reacts to them.
I very highly recommend this hot as dragonfire 5 star read, and his other two series (“The Fathful and the Fallen” and “Of Blood and Bone”) as well. If you like the epic fantasy of Tolkien, Rothfuss, and Martin, you’re going to love Gwynne!
My thanks to Orbit for this galley via Netgalley. The opinions I shared are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for so generously providing me an ARC of this book. This has not affected my review.

<b>The Shadow of the Gods
by John Gwynne</b>

3.5/5 stars.

Content Warnings: death/death of children, gore/violence, slavery, torture

<i>The Shadow of the Gods </i> is a Norse-inspired adult fantasy novel which follows three characters in a world three-hundred years after the death of the gods.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The two best aspects of the writing, were, in my opinion, the prose and the characters created. The author writes gorgeous and in depth descriptions of characters and landscapes. Furthermore, the style of the prose felt evocative of an old (albeit very dark) folk tale. I thought the three PoV characters, Orka, Varg, and Elvar, were all very interesting and well-initiated characters. Orka is a mother and huntress, and if you loved Misaki from <i>The Sword of Kaigen</i>, I think you might also enjoy the perspective of Orka, who also struggles to reconcile her present and past. Varg is a former slave on a quest for revenge and Elvar is a young warrior attempting to distance herself from her past. I appreciated the connection in motives behind all these characters, namely that their families are their driving motivators. I also throughly enjoyed several of the side characters we meet, especially Svik and Rokia (sunshine/grumpy friends!).

My largest gripe with this book was with the pacing and plot structure. The plot proceeds at an excruciatingly slow pace. By the end, it seemed like very little had been tangibly accomplished in the very long and dense book, which was frustrating. As well, while I thought the characters were well designed, I their character arcs to be more stagnant than I would have hoped.

In some ways, the style of the writing reminded me of a darker, more modern Tolkien novel.

I Received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This was not what I was expecting at all. I couldn't connect at all with the characters and the plot was so tame that I couldn't get involved with it.

The Shadow of the Gods blew my socks off. I was hoping for an epic Viking fantasy with some cool lore (who doesn't love dead gods?) and battle scenes, but instead got my heart trampled by some of the best character work I've read in a while. We follow three points of view - Varg, an escaped thrall seeking revenge for the death of his sister, Elvar, a young warrior running from her family's expectations, and Orka, a retired warrior and mother who unexpectedly finds herself on a heartbreaking quest. While all the characters are excellent, Orka was the standout character for me. Her storyline had me crying before the halfway point of the book. Watching the disparate storylines of our three POV characters come together was explosive and satisfying. These stories connect in such unexpected ways that I cannot wait to see explored in the next novel.

I came late into John Gwynne’s last series. I sorry I waited as long as I did, but at least I had the whole story waiting for me. Now, however, I’m stuck waiting for the next book in THIS series.
In Shadow of the Gods, Gwynne creates a new world, based around Viking culture. It is lush and vivid.
The characters are fleshed out and real. Under the author’s deft hand they almost come off the page.
I can definitely say that I am looking forward to the next book in this set with great anticipation.