The Shadow of the Gods is probably one the most anticipated releases in fantasy this year. Is it worth the hype and the attention it's getting? I would say yes. Not a perfect read for me but really a great read and start of a journey into this world. The characters are flawed, while still trying to hold onto what they see is right and honorable to them at times but maybe not succeeding all the time. Orka is one of the most single minded and bloody focused characters in the book. There are glimpses into her mentality but her past is only hinted at but you can guess she has had a hard life. Varg is the other character that stands out to me. A somewhat inexperienced young man despite the harsh life he has already lived. Varg is one the character who will be the one that has the most to learn and grow out of most of the characters in the book I think. Elvar I neither disliked or liked that much but another like Varg with room to grow and improve. I did warm to her more throughout the book though.
The combat was entertaining in its simplicity and the raw savagery of it all. They don't undergo combat training that is that detailed and come close to an art like some. It's more strength and speed and just more of a brawling style. There is skilled involved in knowing how to fight well though as some of them show as well. The magic is not so clearly defined for me really but maybe will be better after another read. The Tainted all appear just to be stronger and faster when they use their gifts. Those that are not Tainted would call them cursed.. Runes seem to the other magic available which needs to be talked about more at some point in detail.
The culture of this world is not one I think I would want to live in. The thrall system is not something that is right about this culture but then every culture seems to have some form of slavery for a time.
There are surprises and twists in this book that I saw and some I truly didn't see coming at all. The ending falls into both of those. I am ready now to see what happens next and how the story will continue for sure. I am looking forward to the reread to see how much I missed and if I think its as good a read on the second time as the first. I fully expect this book to be on people's list of favorite books of the year.

This book was received as an ARC from Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was intense. I have never read a book this invigorating and powerful ever not only in my career as a librarian but ever in my lifetime. I absolutely love the concept. Gods that once ruled over the land of Vigrio have been destroyed but their powers still remain bringing war with them. Now the people must seek out the bones from the dead gods for the power and they must do it before the monsters get to them or the Kingdom and people of Vigrio will perish for good. There were many adventures to the bones from the jarls that some of them were really heart pumping and jaw dropping while reading. The story was so captivating and creative, while at the same time very intense to get through and finish.

We will consider adding this title to our Science Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 4 stars.

I received an uncorrected proof copy of The Shadow of the Gods in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to John Gwynne and Orbit Books.

The Shadow of the Gods is a gritty and violent Norse mythology-inspired tale that features monsters, magic, vengeance, warbands, and shield walls. It takes place approximately 300-years after the Gods of Vigrið fought and battled themselves to annihilation and follows three distinct point of view perspectives as they traverse Gwynne’s well-realised dark fantasy world.

The Shadow of the GodsThese characters are Orka, an ex-warrior who lives with her husband and son at a quiet steading, Varg, a thrall who is running to escape his slave masters, and Elvar, a young warrior who is trying to find battle fame with the monster hunting warband the Battle-Grim. They all have deep and interesting pasts of which we are given more details of as the story progresses. Through the eyes of these characters, I was engrossed from the very first chapter and by about the fourth chapter I was chuffed to see that Gwynne had worked his magic again.

Gwynne has crafted a fresh and unique fantasy world and adventure that I’d summarise as a mixture of some of the finest elements from Norse Mythology and Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom novels. (There are a few people who get called “arselings” as homage to Leofric I imagine and warriors in this world wish to die with a weapon in their hand.) It features The Witcher-esque monsters and heartwarming friendships and camaraderie that I also adored in Gwynne’s The Faithful and the Fallen series. It seems like Gwynne went into writing this series with big ambitions and wasn’t going to hold back on his vision. This world is as majestic as it is haunting, as macabre as it is beautiful. An example is that one of Vigrið’s main cities is in the skull of a dead god. The imagery throughout is phenomenal.

The Shadow of the Gods has dozens of excellent set pieces, standout moments, action segments, skirmishes, and showdowns. So often I finished a chapter with a cheesy grin knowing that something awesome had just happened and imagining how epic a live-action version of these scenes would be. Gwynne is one of the best in the fantasy game at writing thrilling fighting and brutal action moments.

For a 500-page novel, there is a huge cast of characters. The three main protagonists are all great to follow but I did find myself most excited when returning to Orka’s storyline. I think this is probably due to Orka’s arc being more precise and classic fantasy than Varg’s and Elvar’s who both find themselves as members of warbands. In the warbands, there is a wide mix of players from varying backgrounds, cultures, and skillsets. Einar Half-Troll, Rokia, and Grend were really fine supporting characters and some of the banter and humour is witty and wry. When we returned to one of the warband-focused point of views, I will admit that I sometimes had to refamiliarise myself with the crew of each faction and what they’d been up to during their last chapter as their missions and objectives were similar occasionally. Also worth mentioning, a nice touch that I really enjoyed was when one of the characters would mention another person the reader is familiar with from another story arc, fitting another piece in the puzzle of how the storylines may be interconnected.

So, why am I only giving The Shadow of the Gods four-stars? Without a doubt, The Shadow of the Gods was my most anticipated read of the year and all the reviewers I trust have given it glowing five-star reviews. Gwynne is one of my favourite authors and I think all of the aforementioned are reasons that I overhyped it to myself. It’s an excellent start to what I have no doubt will be a stunning and fresh fantasy saga. I awarded Malice and A Time of Dread four-stars each too and ended up adoring those series. In my mind, I expected the world’s most phenomenal fantasy standalone novel and on that front, it doesn’t quite deliver. That being said, the endings are fantastic, the set-up for the next novel is intriguing, there may be animal or monster companions(!), it’s an addictive read, and, knowing Gwynne’s previous work, I think every book in the series will build on these fine foundations to a conclusion of epic, possibly world-shattering proportions. Gwynne’s a talented wordsmith and the next tale in The Bloodsworn Saga will probably be my most anticipated read of the year when that’s released too. If you haven’t read any of Gwynne’s books yet, The Shadow of the Gods might be the best place to start.

This book has certainly earned its place among my all-time favourites. It's amazing how well the author manages to depict life during the Viking area. If you ever wondered how it would feel like to travel through snow-covered Norway, be part of a shield wall, or man the rudder of a longship this book has you covered.

Filled with hardships, challenges and companionship, the book follows three protagonists on their journey through an unforgiving and brutal world.

The gods went to war among themselves and left the world littered with corpses and in ruin.
I really liked that this happened merely a couple hundred years ago and it's still fresh in everyone's mind from their bedtime stories.
It makes you feel like an adventurer whenever you come across a relic from that time.

If all that has you not convinced to immediately pick up this book, the absolutely gorgeous cover will. A beautiful story for your imagination and one of the best-looking books for your bookshelf.

This is my first John Gwynne novel. IT WILL NOT BE MY LAST.

This book, from start to finish, had me hanging on every word. The world-building, the ease of getting to know the characters, the intensity of their emotions, the vicious battle sequences, formed into a powerful saga of love, violence, loss, betrayal and magic.

SPOILER ALERT

Varg, the thrall on a mission of love and vengeance.

Orka, warrior, mother, one-woman wrecking ball on the path of the monsters who stole her child.

Elvar, mercenary with a secret.

Three brilliantly written characters on separate paths that converge into one world-shaking event.

You'll never see the ending coming!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Gore, Fantasy Battle Violence, self-cutting (blood magic), child kidnapping

Thank you. To Netgalley and Orbit Books for giving me the privilege of reading this amazing book. I eagerly await the sequel.

All opinions are my own.

I was really expecting to enjoy this book more than I did. What started as really promising turned into a giant slog as I found I didn’t really care for any of the characters. The only one I had any semblance of interest in was Orka, a huntswoman out for vengeance.

Despite my lukewarm feelings for the actual story and characters, I do appreciate that Gwynne clearly has done research and has a love for the Viking era. This was probably one of the most authentic Viking-inspired stories I’ve come across.

The Shadow of the Gods is an epic story set in a Norse inspired world during a time when myths become real, blood oaths are sworn and vengeance is sought. A cold world filled with many fantastical creatures, witches, Berserker warriors, bloodthirsty battles and strongly protected customs and traditions.

There are three main characters with alternating chapters told from each of their points of view: Orka, Varg and Elvar. They each have a separate story, but as the narrative progresses it becomes clear that their story arcs must eventually converge.

It is clear Orka was once a warrior who has now settled down with her Beserker husband, Thorkel and son, Breca, hoping for a quiet life. However in the words of Orka: “This is a world of blood. Of tooth and claw and sharp iron. Of short lives and painful deaths.” A quiet life does not last for long and she can only hope to have taught her son enough that he can survive such a cruel world after she and Thorkel are no longer there to protect him.
In one scene, Orka is teaching Mord and Lif warcraft so that they can avenge their father’s death. It is done in quite a maternal way. This natural instinct of a mother was partly what led to her freeing these brothers. Her rage and determination to find her son is relatable by all mothers. As a mother of a thirteen year old boy I know that no one comes near your child to harm them, or you turn into a raging Berserker! This instinct gives her the superhuman strength and stamina she needs to beat a whole group of warriors, in order to find out where her son Breca has been taken. Hell hath no fury like a woman whose husband has been brutally slain and child has been taken from her.

Elvar is a member of a warband named The Battle Grim. They are mercenaries - their leader Agnar’s priority is to earn enough gold through trading people, as well as goods, to keep his warrior band happy and loyal to him. Despite being a ruthless warrior, Elvar has a caring nature. She saved Uspa’s son from a sea monster with no thought for her own safety. She looks after her fellow warriors when they are injured and shows them respectful kindness. She is, however, a brutal killing machine and a cold hearted warrior when faced with a rival warband. Elvar could almost be a young version of Orka, before marriage and child birth.

Varg was a thrall, but he escaped from slavery and fled after committing murder. Now an accidental member of a warband, the Bloodsworn, he is learning how to become a warrior. His haphazard bravery provides a certain amount of comic relief and knows no bounds. He is a loyal and likeable character determined to avenge his sister’s death.

The level of detail of this Norse inspired world is astonishing and makes for an extremely rich reading experience. There is a scene where Orka is drinking mead from a horn while Lif is sewing up the wound in her back using a curved bone fishhook. The occasional use of Old Icelandic words throughout the novel, the description of the mechanics of a thrall collar, the knowledge of warcraft and specifically, how to wear a heavy maille shirt by tying a weapons’ belt around it in such a way that its weight is partially taken away from the shoulders; all of this reeks of a ton of research and detailed knowledge of the life of a Viking warrior on the part of the author.

The Shadow of the Gods is a truly amazing book. One of the best I have read in a very long time. It will pull on your heartstrings, boil your blood, leave you with your mouth hanging open and have you chuckling to yourself. I highly recommend it!

his eARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Even though John Gwynne has become an extremely well known fantasy author over the last year or so with his Banished Lands books getting so much spin by reviewers on YouTube and elsewhere I was yet to read any of his work due to being in the midst of several other long series. As I finished some of those series early in 2021 I slotted all of his work on TBR for late Spring/early Summer. My original plan was to read The Faithful and The Fallen and then either Of Blood and Bone or The Shadow of The Gods when it was released in May. However, when I got the opportunity to read an eARC of Shadow 2 months early I jumped at the chance. Since it's not connected to his other series there were no pre-requisites in any case, and holy hell did you see that cover and the ginormous dragon??

I was extremely glad I got the opportunity to read it early because it was as entertaining a fantasy book I have read in quite some time. There are several reasons why that is. First and foremost let me mention the pacing and the action. I'd say it's perfectly paced where it's not so fast as to be frenetic, and not so slow where it feels like characters are constantly traveling and nothing is happening. There is absolutely no fluff in this book. Every scene in every page matters and drives the story. Now for the action, there is plenty. The Battle Plain, which is the Viking-inspired setting of this book, is a hard violent place that is home to both multiple mercenary war bands, any number of deadly creatures, and beings that are the descendants of dead gods. When those things get into conflict things get bloody and no one is safe. It's both exciting, and written in a way that is easy to picture. I suspect the latter has to do with the fact that the author is a Viking-reenactor and his knowledge of their history and battle tactics brings this to life on the page. Also, I enjoyed the magic here. I'm a soft magic system guy so this was right up my alley. The magic has a lot to do with blood magic and the dead gods themselves and is utilized in a cool way but never really fully explained. That's fine with me because it's kept somewhat mysterious, but nothing feels out of left field or hard to understand. The action and magic is not what makes the book though.

What really made this a great book was what usually makes a great book. The characters. You follow a small rotation of 3 POV characters throughout this story. Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Each one has their own unique perspective on what is happening in the events in the book (which I won't spoil), but what I found so fantastic is being able to see the parallels in each of their individual stories. It's those parallels surrounding theme of family, loss, and brotherhood that made me so invested in each and every one. And even though there are no lackluster POVs here Orka may be my new favorite female character in all of fantasy.

As far as the plot and the story goes it is really hard to talk about at length without spoilers, but I will say that I think it ended up being really strong if slightly less grabbing than the action and character work. I think this was only because it was hard to see at first what was happening, but when the book gets rolling and you start to see the plot lines converge you probably won't be able to stop reading. The last 100 pages are really something. That being said this is truly a part 1 of a multi part (I think 3 part) story so while I wouldn't say it ends on a cliff hanger you will be left wanting the next book asap.

As for criticisms I have very few. I think the hardest thing for me early on the book was getting immersed because the book freely and liberally throws a lot of Viking or Old-Norse words and terminology at you without explaining what they mean. A lot of times you can pick it up from the context, but not always. A glossary would have gone a long way to help with this. The only other minor thing I would say is that the story takes a little bit to get going in terms of seeing how things are going to play out and what is important and where it's going. That resolves itself quickly though, and you're so on board with the characters it almost doesn't matter.

I give this the highest of recommends, and I'm excited to get to the rest of John Gwynne's work.

The Shadow of the Gods is the best book I've read this year. It has also been added to my list of favorite fantasies of all time.

To start off, the world of The Shadow of the Gods is Norse-inspired (think Viking fantasy). The scenery and imagery are so deliciously vivid as we travel from town to town and through forests and mountains.
The twist (or absence) on all of the classic gods is beautiful. There is no Odin or Loki, but fresh new gods that take on the image of a wolf, bear, eagle, dragon, etc.
After a fierce battle between the deities, the world is littered with the bones of the gods. There is a specific town in the book that lays beneath the skull of the deceased snake god while another is encased in the skeleton of the hawk god's skeleton. While the gods may have died, their presence still exists within the world through humans that possess the blood of the gods. The Tainted.

For example, Tainted that have the blood of the bear god Berser in them are considered Berserkir (instead of the classic Berserker). Each Tainted are unique depending on their parental deity. This was such a cool twist on Norse mythology that had me hooked from the beginning.
And that isn't the end of the mythology drenched world! There are beasts called the vaesen that are grotesque and horrifying twists on mythology and folklore.

Next, the characters. The characters you guys. The story follows the perspective of three very different individuals that have their own quests and that were so well written and so uniquely interesting that I never cared when one chapter ended and another started. I was excited to swap perspectives, which is rare. The cast of supporting characters are just as fresh and vibrant as the main cast, making dialogue and banter so refreshing and enjoyable. While I thoroughly loved all three main characters, Orka will forever be my personal hero. She is seriously badass. Like...get to chapter 53 and tell me she isn't the one and only.

The only critiques I have are the following.
First, several supporting characters have very similar names. For example, Elvar, Edel, and Einar. Or Svik and Sighvat. This can make flipping between chapters a little confusing at times.
Second, the new and old Norse thermology could be overwhelming at times when you're devouring the book at the speed I did.
With a fantasy this thick and rich in world-building, I think a few pages at the beginning or ending of the novel for characters bios/affiliations and a list of terminology would be fantastic. I received an eARC so there is a possibility this will be included in the physical version!

At the end of it all, this book was freakin' fantastic. I already preordered my physical copy because I need this baddie on my shelf ASAP.

Someone says a new series, Norse-inspired, epic in scope and written by John Gwynne, I am in!! And this book does not fail to live up the hype, everything you expect from one of his novels is here. I don't know how he gets me to love these characters so quickly and become so immersed in this world from page one, but he does it again!! The story blends all the elements from Norse mythology you are longing to read, from Gods who have destroyed each other and left their descendants to be hunted, magic, ancient texts, plus hideous creatures that come after you in the night.
The story is set in Vigrid, the Battle-Plain, a country that has been physically shaped by the long ago battle of the gods and follows three points of view, Orka, Elvar and Varg. Orka, along with her husband Thorkel and son Breca try to live a simple life, but when a neighbor is attacked and their son stolen, their life spins out of control. Elvar is a member of the Battle-Grim, a band of sea-faring warriors for hire who hunt the Tainted, descendants of the gods with unique powers. Varg is a thrall, a slave who kills his master and is on the run as he tries to hunt down whoever killed his sister. His journey brings him to the Bloodsworn, another band of sea-faring warriors for hire, where he finds unexpected friends and the truth about himself. As you journey through each of these points of view and get to know the characters, you are so quickly drawn to each of them, their friends and know that the events will bring them together in unexpected and potentially tragic ways.
I loved how the three storylines are woven together with the mythology, history and magic that is present in the world, the ways of the ships, the different types of weapons, and the different powers of the Tainted. The vaesen, the otherworldly creatures released after the battle of the gods are truly frightening and the stuff of nightmares. Orka and Elvar are phenomenal characters and I loved how women warriors are just a part of how this world works and not the exception. You will come to love these women, and their fighting skills a put them on another level and that level is badass!! I loved Varg's journey from slave to someone who begins to find his worth and friends who care about him. Of course, it's not a John Gwynne novel without epic battles and this book gives you those, along with all the twists that make you gasp and say WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!! Seriously, the number of times I said that in the last 75 pages!! I am just so excited to see where the story goes from here, I am fully invested in all of these characters and oh my, all the feels. If you love epic fantasy then this is a series you will absolutely want to read!!!!

I started this thinking, well, I've not read anything by John Gwynne, who knows, maybe it will be good. Around halfway through I was looking up all his other books and ordering them. Three quarters of the way through I was going, "How have I never heard of this guy? How have I never been recommended his books?!"

It is not easy to get into - I will say that. But if you persevere, it is well worth it. The terminology had me utterly confused at times (drakkars and so on) and the multiple characters had such well fleshed out plotlines I didn't understand how they would all come together. Which is a thing of beauty, really. I was so invested in Orka, and I teared up when tragedy hit her, and rooted for her and Breca. Then I found myself carried away with Vorg, and his oath to his sister, and I loved the Bloodsworn. Elvar! Elvar, with the battle-grim, with her ferocity and Grend, sworn to her. I found myself aching to get back to reading more, wanting to know, regardless of how they all connected, what would happen to each.

The end? Ouch. Gives some and leaves you wanting more. I'm afraid now to read Gwynne's other stories until I can get more on this one, but argh, I will end up doing just that. Because I am hooked. HOOKED, I tell you. Such fierce female characters - that alone makes it worth reading. Not a common thing to find.

Gwynne is a little bit Abercrombie, but less dry. It is rollicking and fun, and amusing, and heartbreaking, and has enough battle (and what well done battle writing! Even I was rapt, and I normally get a bit glazed on the actual battle scenes) that my husband might read it too. So perhaps two fans were made with this. Thank you, Netgalley!

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

All the stars!

Sometimes, fate lines up and you receive an advanced reader copy of a novel that is one of your most anticipated books of the year. And sometimes, fate has it, that you realize as you read the words that form sentences and paragraphs that transform into an unforgettable story, that the book you hold in your hands is one of the best ones ever written.

John Gwynne’s new novel, The Shadow of The Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #1) is an epic fantasy set in a Norse-inspired world filled with myths and tales of gods, magic, and unforgettable characters. A tale that ravishes with beauty, family bonds, friendships, and selflessness, but also throbs with dark, relentless violence and a tune of vengeance that’s gritty and stark.

Vigrid, the setting of this saga is a land that is divided by the old battle plains to the north, above The Brokeback Mountains, and the inhabited settlements, towns, villages, and fjords to the south. It’s been three hundred years since the gods warred each other on the battle plains and one of the fallen gods released the vaesen creatures from below the ground through a horizontal chasm that splits the entirety of the land above the divide. It is said, that the relics of the gods and their bones still hold powers that roaming warbands are after. Innocent citizens are torn in the power struggles of Jarls, the protection of their lands, and the support for Queen Helka, who all vie for the ultimate dominion of Vigrid. In a constant change of loyalties, the story navigates between three main protagonists and a cast of supporting characters to tell their tale and Gwynne does an amazing job building their story arcs and meshing them with the overall saga of the gods.

The Year is 297 – The age of Peace

Orka, her husband Thorkel and their son Breca are trappers and traders in a small community. Orka has left a life of bloodshed behind to raise her family and live a peaceful life in the rural countryside. They teach their son how to hunt and fish and all those essentials to make a living through valuable hands-on lessons. Their family bond is strong and endearing. When they hear of children disappearing and local political loyalties are changing, Orka becomes very concerned and involuntarily involved by following the right thing to do. The last thing she wants is to lose her own son to whoever is taking these children.

Elvar is a young warrior who has fled her father’s house one day to escape marriage as a pawn for political gain. She now is part of the Battle Grim Warband desperately seeking her place among the ranks, chiseling away at her own destiny.

Varg has lost his sister. The two of them were extremely close and sold to a farm when very young. When his sister is murdered, Varg’s world collapses. With hatred inside and a thirst for revenge, he escapes the farm and becomes part of the Bloodsworn mercenaries. His stay with them depends on his worthiness in battle as he soon finds out.

All of these characters have a backstory that slowly unfolds. Their next move is always a bit shrouded by circumstance but their motives are admirable and for a cause that is easily identifiable as a reader. As the chapters rotate to tell from each protagonist's pov, one is constantly in need to turn pages to find out what happens next. There is something very organic and down to earth in Gwynne’s way of characterization. It feels real, it’s relatable, and never pushed beyond believable. When the characters are hurt, or when they are happy, it feels as if you are right next to them going along in their endeavors.

As the story continues, we take different paths through treacherous journeys, filled with battle practices, intrigue, and vengeance but there are also tender moments of friendship, love, and loss. What adds to Gwynne’s brilliant way to tell the story are also the amazing landscape settings from the lush countryside to foggy fjords and mysterious structures and creatures in the sea, on land, and in the sky. Seldom have I read of such vivid imagery of mysterious places and felt the breeze in my hair or smelled a pot of stew on the campfires simmer as when Gwynne makes everything come alive for the senses. There was a particular scene I found so vivid and eerie, where a boat entered the Brokeback Mountains, and it was simply grant and chilling!

To love were many hidden gems and visceral moments in this novel. Lots of attention was paid to the detail of artifacts, weaponry, Nordic terminology, and everyday life. Crews playing games on oars of the ships, or traditional tabletop games, and Gwynne’s endearing term of the “thought box” for the character’s minds all added to the atmosphere of the novel. Sudden unexpected turn of events and juxtapositions added thrills throughout, making this such a well-rounded read.

I absolutely loved The Shadow of The Gods and everything about it. From the animal companions to the engrossing venture and twists that took place. But there is one thing that absolutely stands out to me and that is Orka’s character. She is an amazing woman! The kind that reminds you of your best friend, your mother, aunt, or sister and she is badass!!!!! A natural in life, a wonderful, nurturing mother, and a good partner, but you don’t want to mess with her! If she wasn’t amazing enough, her vengeance for her family brings out her incredible strength and moral integrity while she can unleash doom on anyone who does her wrong before they know it.

I just can’t say enough good things about this read. I wasn’t wrong by putting my life on hold and wait for this particular book to reach me, even if the wait was excruciating. My cup is full and my inner shield maiden highly satisfied. The Shadow of the Gods is one of the best books I have enjoyed in my life.

If you have loved Gwynne’s previous works, and you are a fan of Nordic tales, you will enjoy this epic fantasy, guaranteed. It’s absolutely brilliant!

I’ll be sharpening my weapons with the whetstone till the second book in The Bloodsworn Saga comes forth. I will be good and ready!

Skal, and Happy Reading!

This book was so enjoyable, and there are many things I'd like to discuss. Let's start with the word building. This is not an easy world to follow. This is a norse inspired book, so I pictured large fjords and epic-fantasy-type landscapes. The world building is done slowly, and through dialogue, so you won't get bored reading endless descriptions. I prefer my books this way, but it does mean you sacrifice a little bit of pace. The first fifty pages are likely going to be quite confusing.

Now on to the characters. The book follows three different characters, that are set on different paths. There is Orka, the battle-hardened mother who lives a quiet life with her family as a trapper. There's Elvar, who ran away from home in search of battle-fame. And there's Varg, a slave seeking vengeance. All of these characters were so well fleshed out. None of them are good, but they're also not inherently bad. The choices they make leads each of them to a path they never thought they would take. Anyway, I miss them already.

Lastly, let's discuss plot & writing. This isn't a fast paced book, but I also didn't find it slow. However, I will warn that some chapters are a little empty. Not that nothing happens at all, but sometimes there are a few pages that don't necessarily relate to the plot much. Countering this by saying that there is plenty of mystery that will make you want to keep reading. I felt in my bones that the paths all characters had taken would lead to a big finale, and I had to see what would happen, even if it broke my heart a bit.

I found the writing really compelling, too. I've never read any other works by Gwynne, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I can still see the scenes play out in my head. I will for sure be picking up other books by this author, because otherwise I don't think I can survive waiting for the next book.

This book is definitely for those who love Norse and Viking characters. It follows through characters and the chapters are told from that person's POV. I found it a little hard to get into the story, but there was definitely a lot of action throughout. My only criticism which brings the book down to 4 stars is that there were way too many Norse words inserted into the story, but I didn't find an index to help me understand all these terms.

This book is definitely for those who love Norse and Viking characters. It follows through characters and the chapters are told from that person's POV. I found it a little hard to get into the story, but there was definitely a lot of action throughout. My only criticism which brings the book down to 4 stars is that there were way too many Norse words inserted into the story, but I didn't find an index to help me understand all these terms.

This is a perfect fantasy for those who play Skyrim and love Norse mythology. The references that Gwynne ties to are clear, but in new and interesting ways. I really devoured this one in a couple of sittings.

If you're looking for an epic tale of gods, monsters, and how they relate, pick this up.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the e-galley!

John Gwynne has long been a favorite author of mine. I've mentioned before that I've never given a single book of his anything less than a five-star rating. No other author carries that distinction. When I heard that his latest book THE SHADOW OF THE GODS was going to be heavily influenced by Norse mythology and Viking lore, it was as if my two favorite things were coming together to create a story written just for me. I recently received an advance copy from publisher Orbit (thank you) and a mere two weeks later here we are with me finished the book and still reeling from the entire experience.

Unlike the previous series that John Gwynne has written, this first book in The Bloodsworn Saga only has three main POV characters. I thought this worked incredibly well as it kept the story tight and the pacing brisk, forwarding the events that take place a great deal in a short period of time Oh and about those characters: first is Orka, a loving wife and mother with the heart of a warrior. Cross her at your own peril as she protects those she cares about with a fierceness that cannot even be measured.

Varg was sold to a slaver at a young age, only to escape soon after. His sister wasn't so lucky however, and Varg has become increasingly obsessed with finding the identity of those who murdered her. His unquenchable desire for vengeance finds him eventually hooked up with a group of Bloodsworn. Because these monster-hunting mercenaries often travel with witches who can perform searchings, he believes they may be able to help him find the answers he seeks. But first he must prove himself worthy of achieving the title Bloodsworn, or die trying.

Finally we have Elvar, a member of a another mercenary group of cutthroats that seek out fortune wherever they can find it. She is staunchly loyal to their leader who often takes on questionable jobs for his own personal glory and fame, sometimes at the expense of those who blindly follow him. Their most recent job in particular is one that could spell the end for this band of fortune-hunters and Varla must make a hard choice that will test her commitment and force her to come to terms with who she really is.

As these three characters are scattered in different locations across the continent of Vigrid, evil forces are scheming and formulating their own plans. And when children begin disappearing within the towns and holds, superstitious fears begin to take root with whispers and mutterings that terrible monsters stalking the woods may be to blame. Are the gods unleashing their anger over what took place ages ago, or could the truth be even more horrible than that?

First, let me just say that THE SHADOW OF THE GODS is relentless in its pace and compelling story line. Having read both of John's previous series, I am confident in saying that the action in this book is definitely more plentiful than in either of the opening books in those series. We don't get a lot of buildup before things begin happening, and boy do they happen. There's really not a respite throughout the entire book. So much so that I read it over four days in 100-150 page chunks because I didn't want to stop in the middle of a bloody battle or pursuit.

What made this a fantastic read for me is that you really can't trust a single character. This is one of the hallmarks of a John Gwynne story, those who we think are the good characters, often are just the opposite You are always kept on your toes and waiting for that knife in the back, or in Gwynne's case, ax to the cranium. Everyone is put in peril so that turning each page is often a stressful endeavor as you don't know if your favorite character will meet their demise suddenly and painfully. It truly is what makes Gwynne one of the best authors on the planet. There is ZERO predictability whatsoever and nobody (not even the great George RR Martin) does it better in my opinion.

As far as the setting goes, Vigrid is a rugged continent and home to a number of different clans and tribes who are each governed by individual jarls. These jarls are entrusted with protecting their settlements from attack and also with settling disputes. As such, many of these jarls wield much power and often with that power exists corruption. Such is also the case in real word politics as we all know, so it was pretty easy to relate to many of the struggles of the people of Vigrid as many just wished to be left to tend their land and live a quiet life with their families free from the punitive taxes and laws of the jarls.

Finally, these larger than life characters are so much the backbone of this book. Orka may be my favorite of any John Gwynne character. A mother who will do anything to protect her family and when pushed to the limit, will stick a seaxe in your gut and drop a memorable quote on you as your body hits the floor. I found her character chapters to be the ones that I looked forward to the most.

I feel like I should temper what I'm about to say, but at the same time I also have an obligation to be truthful. The Faithful and the Fallen series and the Of Blood and Bone series are two of the best ever in fantasy. John Gwynne has already carved out his place with those two landmark works. That being said, THE SHADOW OF THE GODS impacted me in such a way that I really believe it is my favorite of all. I know that is saying a lot given what has come before, but I have no problem with putting it out there. He somehow manages to get better and better with each successive epic story he produces, and that is something that is tremendous news for every one of his readers. It's staggering to think what this series could achieve given the extraordinary quality of this first book.

To wrap things up I would just like to say, this book will thrill you with scenes of battle unmatched, it will break your heart as you accompany these characters through every torturous and tense moment, it will fill you with wonder at the dark magic and mythical monsters that inhabit it, and it will completely dazzle you as only a John Gwynne book can. I simply don't have the words to describe what a next-level read this is. I have no idea how John Gwynne is going to top it, but he keeps proving me wrong time and time again so I'm not betting against him. All I'm saying is I can't wait for the next one.

This was a brilliant world and a story full of Norse and Viking influences. Fans of the Bernard Cornwell series and of the Viking tv series will love this for its action scenes, and fantasy fans will appreciate the amazing magic and detailed fantastical world here. This book has 3 intriguing main characters who each offer a fresh and different perspective on this world. Honestly there is so much to like about this book. I flew through it, which says a lot because my reading time has been limited lately.

DNF @ 25%
Unfortunately I lost my interest/motivation for this one and I know that if I force myself to read it my opinion of it is just going to go lower (even if that's not deserved). I can definitely see why people would enjoy this and seeing as Gwynne is already a fairly big name in the fantasy genre I can see this doing really well when it comes out later this year, but I'm just not having a great time with it and I can't really face spending another 7 hours with it (according to my Kindle).

My lack of enjoyment stems from two main issues: the characters and the Norse terms. Characters first.

We've got three POV characters here: Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Varg and Elvar are involved in the mercenary-band side of this world while Orka seems to be more of a regular person living in this world. I have two character-related issues. First, Orka was really the only character I felt invested in and as a result I didn't really care about the chapters from the other two characters and since there's a pretty even split between them that meant I didn't care about two thirds of what I was reading. And then the other issue with characters is that even just a quarter of the way through, a shit ton of side characters have been introduced and I was really struggling to keep up with who's who, especially if it had been a little while since I had read it.

The other issue I had is with all the Norse terminology in the book. Obviously this is to be expected in a Viking-inspired fantasy world, but there's not glossary in the book so I either had to look up the different words or just try and work off context clues if I couldn't find anything about them or if they contained special characters. I'm of the opinion that anytime a book contains words that don't belong to the published language, they should either be translated in-text (unless the POV characters also don't understand the language) or a glossary should be provided.

I guess to some folks these probably seem like pretty minor issues but they were really killing my enjoyment and I just lost my motivation to carry on with this.