| Title | : | The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0356514188 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780356514185 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 480 |
| Publication | : | First published May 4, 2021 |
| Awards | : | Goodreads Choice Award Fantasy (2021) |
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.
Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.
Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods . . .
The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1) Reviews
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ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Reading The Shadow of the Gods is equivalent to witnessing a new brilliant legendary Norse-inspired epic fantasy series in the making.“Sometimes there are no choices. We are swept along in a current not of our own choosing… I will be the current. I will be the course.”
By this point, does it still come as a shock that I ended up loving this? I’ve read all of Gwynne’s books—twice for The Faithful and the Fallen—and I have absolutely loved them all; every book by Gwynne is on my favorites shelf, and this one is no exception. I have done the beyond-epic cover reveal—illustrated by Marcus Whinney—to The Shadow of the Gods, and this novel was easily my number one most anticipated book of the year. Honestly, I did think of deleting my social media for a while due to being triggered seeing so many people receiving The Shadow of the Gods much earlier than I did. Yes, it was that painful to me! My expectations and anticipations for The Shadow of the Gods were as high as Yggdrassil, and Gwynne exceeded them. Again. I have spread gospels about Gwynne’s books for four years now, and as always, there’s no sign of this stopping ever. This book is evidently as epic as the cover art. The Shadow of the Gods is the first book in The Bloodsworn Saga series by John Gwynne. It is a new series in a completely new world that differs from The Banished Lands. So yes, you’re safe to start here if you haven’t read any of Gwynne’s books before; you will be missing one of the greatest epic fantasy series, though.
Picture: The Shadow of the Gods by Marcus Whinney
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið. The Shadow of the Gods revolves around three different main characters with their own respective quest in the new age of storm and murder: Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Their storylines of blood, death, battle-fame, and vengeance are seemingly separate for almost the entirety of the book, but rest assured, their paths eventually converged, and my god, it was such an electrifying convergence. Ever since I finished reading The Faithful and the Fallen in early 2017, I’ve mentioned several times that it would be amazing if Gwynne one day decides to write a Norse-inspired epic fantasy series; well, here we are. This is one of Gwynne’s bloodiest books so far; that’s saying a lot. Seriously, if you’ve read Gwynne’s previous books in The Banished Lands Saga, you should know how bloody this book is when I said that. But with that in mind, then you’ll also know that the key elements that made Gwynne’s books so damn lovable are all evident in this phenomenal start to a series. Yes, family, camaraderie, the pursuit of fame, and loyalty in superbly-written characters are still vital in Gwynne’s storytelling.
“It is a hard world, and we will not always be here to protect him from it. We are not just his parents, we are his teachers, too.”
Gwynne has always been excellent at characterizations; this is one of his most tremendous assets as a storyteller, and he has consistently maintained this since his debut. And even then, I’m still pleasantly surprised by the creation of the character Orka. I don’t want to say too much regarding this character; I didn’t know anything about her except that readers loved her, and I have to echo the same sentiment on this. I will say this instead, in one book, Gwynne has certified Orka as one of the best characters to ever exist in the entire genre. Orka’s story was cover-to-cover compelling, and she’s an extremely well-written character. Although it’s true that she numerously displayed extraordinary skill and talent in battles, what I loved most about her isn’t exclusive to that; it’s the way she prioritized her family over everything else. Her character’s development and interaction with Thorkell, Breca, Lif, and Mord gave her the necessary characterizations that made her rampage and destructions towards her enemies so rewarding.
“You and Breca are my home. Wherever we are together, that is home to me.”
Then there’s also the next main character: Varg. Varg seeks vengeance for his sister’s death, and he wants to know what caused her death. To achieve this objective, Varg has his fate intertwined with The Bloodsworn. Immediately from his first two chapters where he battled Einar the Half-Troll, my attention and investment in his story were sparked already. Considering that camaraderie in a hard world and found family are some of the main themes in The Shadow of the Gods, I do believe that Gwynne has portrayed them effectively through Varg’s chapters. It was immensely heartwarming seeing Varg, who has been alone all his life, gradually develop friendships with the members of the Bloodsworn. Remember, the series is named The Bloodsworn Saga, so obviously, The Bloodsworn is an important group of people within the book/series. Also, Varg’s chapters were filled with humor due to the character Svik. I can’t even begin to say how much I enjoyed reading Svik's cheese and porridge story; I can’t wait for you all to read it. There’s also this gem that may be linked to The Lord of the Rings:
“Get moving, Varg No-sense… Or are you waiting for an eagle to swoop down and carry you the rest of the way?”
Admittedly, Elvar’s chapters took me half of the novel to get invested; I was worried that Elvar would be the first time I ever felt bored with Gwynne’s main POV character. Fortunately, I was proven wrong in the second half of Elvar’s story. The thing with Elvar is that her character’s motivation and internal conflicts haven’t been ignited yet until we reached the halfway point. In the first half of the novel, her chapters consist of her adventures with her Battle-Grim companions. Once that candle of characterizations was lit, I became so much more immersed in her character and plotline. I’m not kidding; her story exploded magnificently in the second half of the novel. There’s a very admirable quality in Elvar’s character that I enjoyed; she won’t submit to a life of servitude, and instead, she chooses freedom and battle-fame. Similar to Varg’s story, the decision and importance of choosing your own family is a key driving force of her character.
“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 forever. That is what I want, what all of us want.”
With three POV-characters, The Shadow of the Gods means that this is Gwynne’s lowest POV-characters count so far in his career; for Gwynne’s first book of a series, Malice utilizes seven (six main + one side) POV-characters, and A Time of Dread has four POV characters. The decision to narrow it down to three POV characters worked in favor of the narrative because Vigrið is a relatively smaller place compared to The Banished Lands, at least for now. It’s been a year since I’ve read A Time of Courage, the last book in Of Blood and Bone trilogy by John Gwynne, and I am once again reminded just how “safe” so many other epic fantasy books are. No one is ever safe in his books, Gwynne excels so much at characterizations, and this isn’t only applicable to his protagonists but also antagonists. If you’re a new reader to his works, Gwynne is a merciless author; you will always fear for the protagonists, and you will always want retribution towards the enemies. It is one of the best parts about reading his books, and I, for one, am utterly grateful for this. Not many fantasy authors can—or have the bravery to—achieve this fearless feat.
“Fear can be ice or fire in the veins, freezing the body or setting a blaze within it.”
The more I read fantasy books, the more I wish that more authors are as gifted as Gwynne at writing battle scenes. Seriously, he’s a genius at this. For me, his exceptional battle-scenes are also what puts Gwynne above so many other fantasy authors. Let’s take Orka, for example, she is a new challenger to The Bloody-Nine from The First Law by Joe Abercrombie; her calculated rampaging madness and unflinching brutality were insane, intense, and incredible. The vivid chaos of being in the Shield-Wall and how deadly it can inflict is back again here. Then there are also more monsters—trolls, vaesen, näcken—and magics involved now. The Shadow of the Gods is imbued with jaw-dropping action sequences; seax stabbings, axe splitting skulls, the battle between humans, monsters, and The Tainted—people with cursed blood—all felt splendidly immersive and real. Brandon Sanderson is often known for his climactic final chapters that earned the title of Sanderlanche (Sanderson’s Avalanche). That term is well-deserved, and it’s unbelievable that Gwynne, who has delivered epic tempestuous climactic action sequences constantly, still doesn’t have a term for his achievements. From now on, I’m going to call Gwynne’s final chapters in his books the Gwynnado (Gwynne’s Tornado). The last 15% in The Shadow of the Gods was a maelstrom of breathtaking savagery. The crimson convergence of carnage, violence, and emotions was totally enthralling, and it will leave you begging for more.
“Fear is no bad thing,” Orka said. “How can you be brave if you do not feel fear?”
“I don’t understand,” Breca said, frowning.”
“Courage is being scared of a task and doing it anyway.”
Lastly, before I end this review, I want to mention that The Shadow of the Gods contained Gwynne’s most detailed world-building yet. As mentioned several times already, this is a heavily Norse-inspired fantasy series inspired by Ragnarok and Beowulf. The details in the character’s appearances, clothing, weaponry exhibited Gwynne’s passion for this world and Viking mythologies. The history of the Battle-Plain—shattered realms caused by the war of the gods that destroyed the world a long time ago—plus the intricacy of the environment and landscape truly transformed Vigrið into a location that felt so real. Snaka (Snake, the father of gods), his sons—Ulfrir (Wolf), Berser (Bear), Rotta (Rat), Orna (Eagle) Lik-Rifa (Dragon)—and Oskutred were definitely Ragnarok-inspired world-building. And I loved how Gwynne connects these mythical beings into the current events of the story with the inclusion of the Tainted. As I said, the Tainted are people with cursed blood that mankind hates and hunts. They’re descended from the gods I mentioned earlier, and depending on the cursed blood, each Tainted is capable of channeling their blood to enhance their own respective abilities and power. I personally wouldn’t call The Shadow of the Gods as The Last Kingdom or Vikings inspired; these are massive oversimplification and generalization that doesn’t give this book the recognition it deserved. The Norse-inspired God of War video game is a much more epic and apt comparison.
Picture: Ragnarök by Johan Egerkrans
Between Malice, A Time of Dread, and The Shadow of the Gods, Gwynne just crafted his most well-polished start to his series yet. As a gratifying bonus, Gwynne’s reputation earned him my faith that the rest of the series will get better and better. Both Wrath and A Time of Courage are included in my “Masterpieces” shelf, and I’m sure the concluding volume to The Bloodsworn Saga will follow the notion. The Shadow of the Gods marked the beginning of a new bloodsoaked and legendary superlative Norse-inspired epic fantasy that future readers will praise, remember, and memorialized. The Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim are carving a bloody path across Vigrið, and I will be proud to say that I was there during the birth of this saga-tale. Welcome to the Battle-Plain. I await your enlistment into the Bloodsworn.
“Remember, we are Bloodsworn, bound to one another. Stand or fall, we are sworn to each other. That is our strength.”
Official release date: 6th May 2021 (UK) and 4th May 2021 (US)
You can pre-order the book from:
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Amazon US |
Book Depository (Free shipping) |
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The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
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*** THE SHADOW OF THE GODS was published in the UK yesterday, 6th May ***
I'm so happy to see the Bloodsworn let loose in the world. I hope you will enjoy following them as they carve a bloody path across the Battle-Plain.
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NORTH AMERICA RELEASE DAY
Here's the cover-art for THE SHADOW OF THE GODS...
I hope you love it as much as I do 😁🐉⚔️🐺🛡
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TITLE REVIEW
I hope you like it.
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Book 1 of The Bloodsworn Saga is finished. The first draft is complete... -
First, the usual caveat: I received a free Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher. I do not think that affects my review of this book.
First book in a trilogy
This is a world I would love to step into. It's dangerous, wondrous and populated with strange creatures, some possibly loyal allies and others vicious antagonists. The backdrop of the tale is stunning in its scale; I don't think it's a spoiler to say that a city may grow within the skull of a fallen god. The magic and power of the fallen gods are everywhere, as both traps and treasures for those who encounter it. That divine heritage of bones and bloodlines is not always visible, nor always a blessing. Kings, queens and jarls struggle for power, but the reader witnesses all from the viewpoints of a smallholder, a slave and a nobleman's daughter who has escaped family constraints to command her own fate. As the three tales of these divergent characters begin to converge, reader anticipation can only rise for the next two volumes in this story.
Highly recommended. I enjoyed the diverse viewpoints of characters from very different social strata and expectations. -
I've read quite a few of John's books now, and liked each one a bit more than the last.
This is a fine read, and if you've read any of his other work then you'll find this to be very definitely a Gwynne book with all the stuff you liked from the other books, only more.
We follow three point-of-view characters on journeys that stay separate for most of the book. The setting is ... well, it's very Viking. The pseudo Vikings are firmly grounded in Gwynne's own fascination with the subject, with what feels like authoritative descriptions of arms, armour, clothing, battle methods, lifestyle etc. The gods (which took the forms of colossal animals) are dead but their blood still runs in the veins of many, granting a range of magics and battle-skills.
Two of the main characters run with separate mercenary bands and the camaraderie is well portrayed along with plentiful scraps, duels, shield walls and the like. The enemies range from other warbands to trolls, ice spiders, and a wide variety of magical beasties, including some rather fearsome tooth fairies!
It's a good tale with mounting tension, a slowly revealed plot, unexpected twists, and plenty of bloodshed. It's also definitely the foundation of a larger story with many elements left unresolved for the subsequent titles to chew over.
John Gwynne is very definitely the closest we have to an inheritor of David Gemmell's mantle as master of heroic fantasy with grit and heart.
(Gwynne also wins the contest for having testicles feature most prominently in a fight.)
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Reread 2022
Bloody hell!! I was going to go with 4.5 stars because of some things but for shits sake, ORKA! Just ORKA people!! She’s one of my new favorite characters!!
My son, if you are here, I will find you. And anyone who stands in my way
will wish they hadn’t.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 -
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books as soon as I finish the book.
A mind-blowingly epic book introducing an entirely new universe from John Gwynne - it doesn't get much better than this!
The Shadow of the Gods is a brand new world for John Gwynne, who previously has written 7 books set in the same world in the two series The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone. That story is done, and if you haven't read it yet I urge you to go give it a shot. I wasn't quite sure what to expect here in this new world, but am pleasantly shocked that it somehow seems to improve upon the previous books, which were already close to perfection.
Story: 5/5
The story sucks you in within the first few pages. It introduces a fantasy viking world that is far more grim than his previous books, with the characters trying to do everything they can to survive in this darker world. It's a tale of gods who have been long dead, but are stirring back to life - of an epic revenge quest from a character who has a mysterious past - of savage bands of mercenary warriors who are equal parts brutal and compelling - and of a fractured political structure in this world that is quickly consolidating into major regional powers.
Every part of this book is compelling, with plenty of shocking twists along the way, and which culminates in over-the-top fashion (as per usual for John Gwynne books). And the battles, which Gywnne is the best in the world at writing, are once again given in abundance and each unique and exciting.
World Building: 5/5
This is how world building should be. It vividly describes this world and you can just see yourself right there going through these events with the characters. Gwynne does a masterful job at painting these pictures early on and making things truly unique from his previous series. It feels like a unique take on viking mythology, which each location visited feeling different and fun in it's own way. I got lost in this world immediately and didn't want to leave, which is the hallmark for every great fantasy world.
Fantasy Elements: 4/5
The fantasy elements of this book, while present throughout the book, didn't really start to pop off until the tail end of the book. There is much said about the fantasy elements that happened in the past, and you are left as the reader in wonder about how things used to be. There is some sprinkling of a soft magic system, with some fun fantasy creatures that take the journey with one of the characters - but the ending of this book it ramps it up to 11. I suspect in the next book this will very clearly get a 5/5, but it's no quite there in this one due to how long it took to get properly introduced.
Characters: 5/5
As has been true for every John Gwynne book, the characters are where things really shine more than everything else. There are no "Sansa Stark" POVs here, where you regret seeing the name pop up when starting a new chapter. While there are only 3 major POVs, they are unique, compelling, and you can't wait to read more about these characters. Not once did I get upset about a chapter ending, because I knew that whatever was coming next was going to be just as good as what I had just got done reading.
Writing Style: 5/5
John Gwynne has a formula that works incredibly well in my opinion. He allows things to start at a slow pace, while working towards an epic conclusion, and random jumps in action to keep the pacing flowing at a wonderful rate. Things don't ever feel to slow, and they never feel to fast. He's not writing things with wonderful prose, but instead writing in a way that makes everything incredibly clear to the reader so that you can paint the image of the book in your mind with great detail. He excels most with action sequences, which often can be disjointed when written by other authors, but here they are done absolutely perfectly.
Enjoyment: 5/5
I flew through this book in a few days due to how fun everything was. I had a huge smile on my face throughout reading, and I can't remember the last time I had such a great time reading a first book in a series.
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Shadow of the Gods just hit 10,000 ratings!
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Before the release of The Hunger of the Gods, I decided to listen to the beginning of The Bloodsworn Saga in the audiobook format for the first time. Colin Mace is great! A voice full of gravitas, with excellent narration that really effectively builds the tone and atmosphere. It is just so, SO AWESOME.
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A glossary guide to the terminology used in The Shadow of the Gods -
Shadow of the Gods Glossary Guide
Relaxed interview with John (Papa) Gwynne -
John Gwynne interview with The Brothers Gwynne
***
Okay. Okay. Well
I'm speechless
This book is honestly just incredible. INCREDIBLE
The grittiest John Gwynne book so far. The most realistic. The most amazing. There is honestly not a dull moment, because it is always tense and just shocking. I cannot wait for everyone else to read this next year. Add it to your lists, get a countdown, because this is not something you will be able to cope missing out on. -
Since this is a new series by John Gwynne, The Shadow of the Gods was one of my most anticipated book releases this year. I’ve been eyeing Malice since 2016 but didn’t get the chance to read it. Considering the hype and praise surrounding Gwynne in the fantasy community, I was ecstatic that I got approved for an arc. I’m not a fast reader but books rarely take me over a week to finish. Especially arcs. The Shadow of the Gods took me 10 days even though it wasn’t particularly long. I wanted to love this book wholeheartedly. I was however just not interested enough.
The Shadow of the Gods is based on Beowulf and Ragnarok. It’s in a land called Vigrið and in a world where the gods warred killing and imprisoning each other. The only remnants of them today are the bones and relics as well as their blood descendants of the “tainted”. Enslaved, they are thralls sold and bought by Jarls, warbands, and well, anyone who can afford them. They possess supernatural strengths, magic, etc. depends whose blood they have.
The book follows the story of three characters:
- Orka, a renowned warrior with excellent battle skills, she’s forced on a journey to hunt down her son’s kidnappers and take her vengeance.
- Varg, a previous thrall and a farmer, joins the Bloodsworn to discover his sister’s killer.
- Elvar, the daughter of a rich man (let’s say), seeks battle fame with the Battle-Grim.
I won’t go into too much detail and retell the plot and the story – I rarely do. Instead, I want to discuss the book itself.
Let’s talk about the characters first. They are the most important element for me in any book. Even if the pace was slow (which it was) if I truly liked the characters I wouldn’t mind. Little was going in
Before They Are Hanged, which I read recently. Yet, I rated it 4 stars because of the excellent characterization, I cared a lot about our characters (even in book 1). Sadly here, I wasn’t impressed. I couldn’t connect with them nor feel much towards them. My favorite was Orka and her chapters interested me the most. Not a lot to be clear, but more than the rest. Varg’s chapters made me want to know more about him at first but later on, I lost my curiosity. Now Elvar was definitely my least favorite. Only a few of her chapters interested me (when we discover a bit about her past) but even at the end, when the action was at its peak, I wasn’t invested in her part of the story. I simply felt detached from the characters.
This brings me to my next point: the pace. I know most of the time, fantasy books are slow-paced. And it’s fine by me. But at least the characters make up for it sometimes. Yet, here, everything was moving so slowly that I was often scrolling Instagram in the little reading time I have. I could not care about anything other than the poor children. Elvar’s chapters didn’t help either because yes sure stuff was happening but the stuff I wasn’t invested in whatsoever. The person who saved her chapters was the witch Uspa because I wanted to know more about her. The history part was well told and the rich world building was also one of this book’s strengths for me. Yet, when we got to the end, I was able to stop reading anytime still (bad sign) and found it underwhelming (I was expecting something mindblowing). I would’ve appreciated it more if I was into the story.
Another thing that annoyed me was the lack of a glossary. I’m not very familiar with Norse Mythology besides common knowledge. There were words and terms I have no idea what they mean even by the end of the book. I also messed up things a lot in my head due to the lack of a clear definition and the abundant use of (Icelandic? Certainly not Scandinavian) terms. There were a lot of those and many times with no translation in the following text whatsoever. This sadly made it more difficult for me to enjoy and get into the book. And given the large cast of characters, it took me more than my usual time to remember who’s who.
It wasn’t until the end that we see how these characters’ fates intertwine and connect. The main plot or let’s say common mission is the reason I want to read the sequel. Since it wasn’t completely resolved, I do want to see how Gwynne will develop the story especially since the gods part was increasing towards the end of the book. My friend also told me that he also struggles with Gwynne’s first book but it gets much better later on. I haven’t read Malice yet because I wanted to buy the hard copies (I mostly read ebooks). Now honestly, I’m reconsidering. It was next on my buying list but now it’ll have to wait till the release of this book. I want to read more reviews (especially ones like mine) and see how they’d compare it to Malice.
Finally, I want to end by saying that I believe Gwynne’s fans will enjoy this book more than I did. The overall story intrigued me enough to want to read the sequel. I hope by then the pace will pick up (actually, I’m sure it will after the ending). My review might be mostly negative but I did appreciate the world-building and the gods’ history (and would’ve admired it more with a glossary). I’m also curious about a particular plotline and the characters concerned in it. As a first read by a new author, it wasn’t that bad but I expected a lot more that I’m sad and disappointed in myself for not appreciating this book more.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for sending me an arc of this book -
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book for a while.
The world was interesting, although I still wonder how anyone makes it to adulthood alive, the writing was fine, although it's one of those Fantasy book where half the words make you look at the glossary, and the characters were fine, although I didn't find myself that attached to them...
There's definitely a lot of hype surrounding it and while I'm not as crazy as everyone else about it, the ending was great and I'm excited to learn more about the magic and the Gods in book 2! -
LOOK AT THE COVER, I IMPLORE YOU!
The greatest book I have ever read (not even slightly biased). Absolutely amazing viking-fantasy full of norse creatures, intense and bloody fights and a story that did not let up from the first page. I need the next one now! -
John Gwynne's most inventive touch is his storytelling and character building. Mix the two and you have epic fantasy perfection. So, should you read it? Here is my answer! All the pros, cons, and my first impressions discussed in this video ->
https://youtu.be/peGsbqw0J9I -
Living in the shadow of dead Gods isn’t easy. In a world shattered by divine anger and jealousy, it takes everything you have to survive. And to thrive? Well, that takes a hell of a lot more. A will to win. The skills to kill and not be killed. Plus a war band of extremely dangerous friends so you never have to tackle bloody murder and life’s mayhem alone. When the high stakes competition for relics, money, and power means that you’re up against other highly-trained mercs, short of nothing but gold and morals, then it’s do or die. Now the jarls are upping the ante, vying for the spot at the top, and there are some shadowy figures plotting to seize an even grander prize. What was once a perilous place has just become even more deadly…
Now that the intro is out of the way, let me get to the subject I really wanted to talk about: Orka. One of the three main voices in the book and one of the greatest fantasy characters of all time (yep, I’m making that call). I am obsessed. She’s earned her place on my favourites list and I can’t see anyone moving her (I’d like to see them try). Anyone who has read Gwynne before will know that his characterisation is superb, his books populated by characters that readers genuinely care about. We love them because they’re an emotional investment that always pays off, even if it sometimes comes in the form of uncontrollable sobbing. But if this was something he did well before, then Orka is another level of brilliance. Something about her grabs you from the start. It’s weird because at first you don’t really know whether you like her or not… but you can’t look away. There’s strength there, no doubt about that, and more than a hint of violence. She’s one of those rare female characters who gets to be a mother, a partner, and a warrior with not a single breath of stereotype or limitation. Even now, even in Gwynne, I still get moments when I think to myself ‘Damn, you’re really going to let her be all that… really?’ Yes, really. She’s complicated, striving to mediate her conflicting roles and all the parts of herself. What’s more, she’s doing it while the world turns to shit around her. Her arc in this book is surprising as hell. In fact, everything about her is indescribably epic and I can’t wait for you all to meet her.
Of course, she’s not the only memorable character in the book. The author turns his deft hand to a whole cast of misfits. The beauty of a dog eat dog world like this is that it makes for some seriously interesting people. Most of them armed with multiple weapons and an attitude problem. There are no real heroes in this book, or not in the way I read it. They’re too real for that, good and bad and everything between. Saying that, there are some who are worse than others. I swear if one particular person doesn’t get their comeuppance at some point, I’m having words with Mr. Gwynne… When it comes to the world, the author mixes history, myth, and magic to create a somewhere so convincing that I never doubted it for a second. It’s the kind of place that seems familiar enough that you feel right at home, until you turn a corner and all of a sudden you’re somewhere totally unexpected. A strange land made of bones and filled with monsters. The effect is emphasised by clever changes in focus. For the most part it remains small and close- the detailed descriptions of clothing, the types of armour and ships, the relationships between characters. Then the battles crash in, bloody and brutal. At times the shot is widened and we can see the scope of it all, landscape and narrative both. It is spectacular.
I’m not talking about the plot. It surprised me. This rarely happens. That’s all I’m saying.
One last point. That cover. Is this the best book jacket you’ve seen for years? Because if so, same. It was a bold choice to go for something so different from what we usually see in the genre and wow, does it ever WORK. It could easily have been a man with a shield and sword… You know, the usual. Instead, it’s beautiful and striking and looks incredible in real life. I have the arc but I will be buying a special edition too. No doubt about that. It hardly takes much convincing for Gwynne fans to rush out and buy his new series, so creating this amazing looking book is like putting an extra bow on top of an already awesome present. Well done to the artist, Marcus Whinney, and to whoever commissioned him.
So, what else is there to say? Go click that preorder button.
ARC via publisher -
I think 4.75 ⭐️
Absolutely in shock how much I enjoyed this book. It is - by far - the best start to a new fantasy series that I have read this year.
Wow I loved this. -
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. -
Re-read in February 2022..Still fantastic! Thank you Orbit books for the arc on book #2
My thanks to Orbit books, John Gwynne and Netgalley. I haven't even the words to describe what a standout this story is! For me, the book cover best describes my thoughts! That little person, standing on the mound against the big bad! That's how this felt! This was pure adrenaline. I never read much Viking stuff. Love the show! This is based on Nordic mythology. But even more. This book made me tense. It is grimdark at its most hurried, no breaks, kill, maim, and die. It was freaking fantastic, and I need more! Also, I am completely annoyed by how much I've come to love these people. Especially as this is only the first book and I know some will break my heart by being killed horribly. Can't wait! Best book I've read this year! -
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
The Shadow of the Gods is the new benchmark in Norse mythology-inspired stories. This is the fantasy I’ve been waiting for.
In all honesty, this book had as good a chance as possible of becoming a favourite of mine, for I am without a doubt an ardent reader and supporter of John Gwynne and his books, having read and loved all of his previous works. Both The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone are masterpieces in my estimation and occupy treasured spaces on my shelf and within my heart. Nevertheless, no book is a certain thing as writers are only human beings, but I could not contain my excitement when I read that this latest venture of Mr Gwynne was another epic fantasy story, this time with Norse ink in its veins. I believe that mythologies always appeal to a wide fan base, with Norse and Greek, in particular, being personal favourites. And while I am nowhere near well-read on the subjects, I squeed like any fan worthy of the title at the idea of a favourite author shaping a story from the fertile ground that is the Norse culture. On such a foundation The Shadow of the Gods had much to live up to and I tried to curtail my hopes a little. There was no need though. At the end of this story, I was once again in awe at witnessing a master completely comfortable in executing an epically captivating and exciting tale.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the majestic grandeur that is the cover art by Marcus Whinney.
Stunning. You can see more of his art
here
The Shadow of the Gods is unconnected to anything that the author has written before, and is set in the world of Vigrið, the Battle-Plain. A world of departed deities, bloody feuds and fearsome monsters; a harsh, unforgiving place that will brook nothing less than hard words and harder actions to survive and where only fools do not learn to protect themselves. The tales speak of an ancient war between the gods that came to a ruinous head 300 years ago, culminating in the Guðfalla, the final battle of devastating proportions that turned Vigrid into a graveyard of gods. A shattered land bleeding monsters, vaesan, from the wounds of this conflagration and littered with the sought after, potent remnants of these fallen beings. A place in which the blood of the gods still flows through the veins of Vigrid’s inhabitants. But in this world where the gods and their kin once lived, thrived, and were worshipped, such worship is now forbidden, and those who display any of the gifts that would mark them as possessing even a hint of the deific blood, the Tainted, are despised and mercilessly hunted. For never again will Vigrid be ruled over by the whims of gods.
"This is a world of blood.. of tooth and claw and sharp iron. Of short lives and painful deaths."
The narrative is told through three different character viewpoints. Orka, a huntress, a mother, a wife, and a fierce warrior who only wishes to spend time with her family in relative peace. Elvar, a mercenary who dreams of carving her name into history and the sagas. And Varg, a once-thrall with a driving hunger for vengeance who has been given a path to it as a member of the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. As to how they are part of the plot and fit together, you will have to read to learn more.
She glanced at him, saw fear in his eyes. “It sounds . . . dangerous.”
“This is Vigrið,” she answered. “Living is dangerous.
For fans of the author, character comparisons are inevitable, and the unforgettable ones that we spent our time with within The Banished Lands, John Gwynne’s previous two series, are eternal favourites of mine. That is all due to the phenomenal characterization that the author gifted us with. Such consistently well-crafted characters are a mainstay of the greatest writers and it has been evident in every single book of Gwynne’s. The Shadow of the Gods is no different. Once again they are superbly written and I already feel these new characters fighting tooth and nail to be part of that much-loved family of characters that never leave us. And as has ever been the case with Gwynne’s works (and I pray it never changes) the themes that stand out are love, loyalty, friendship and family, including found family. These themes are at the heart of the story and its characters, driving their decisions and shaping their futures and it’s one of the many reasons I can buy John Gwynne’s books without knowing a single thing about them. The emotions he invests in every character’s storyline never fail to move me. They will always be a joy to read.
"Battle- fame is nothing; it is chaff on the wind. Bonds of love, of kinship, of passion, of friendship: that is what we should all be yearning for."
But don’t be fooled into thinking that these motifs in The Shadow of the Gods translate into clear cut good and bad, heroes and white knights. This world is a jagged edge and will cut anything and anyone soft to ribbons. Hesitation often means death. As for our main characters in The Shadow of the Gods, Mr Gwynne does not handle any of them with kid gloves, their journeys tumultuous, bloody and nerve-wracking to say the least. All three of the protagonists had me completely riveted to the page by the end. I admit, Elvar’s chapters initially had me longing to return to Varg and Orka. Thankfully this changed as the story progressed and brought with it some essential key moments in her development. Now I can’t wait to read more about her. I still like Varg much more though, unlike Elvar his storyline gripped me right from the start, but I won’t again be wishing Elvar’s chapters to speed along any quicker in the next book. As for Orka… Damn, I wish everyone could see the grin on my face right now.
“You are my second; should you not be giving me advice on how to win?”
“Put your axe in his skull,” Orka said.
Orka is one of the most remarkable characters I have ever encountered on a page, and I would lay down my life for her. Singularly determined, protective, loving and fierce as an inferno, the mother, wife and warrior are every single thing that I could hope for and want in a character. She has instantly fought herself a way onto my favourites list and I do not wish to be the character that challenges her for her spot. Say your goodbyes, would be my only advice. And before I forget, the animal companions, another strength of the author, are as wonderful as ever and I will never tire of finding them in these stories.
I have already spoken much of the world but will add that Mr Gwynne is creating something exceptional here. Norse mythology is deftly woven throughout the narrative, and his love for it and knowledge of it shows through his comprehensive efforts on the page. The various gods, the locations, means of transport, sagas, culture, weapons and armour, tactics and fighting styles, magics and mysteries… Although I have always been fascinated and am mindful of how lacking my knowledge of it is, I have just never gotten to the point of amending this shortcoming. Until now. I dread John Gwynne has awakened a slumbering beast, and it is ravenous! I ordered a few books I definitely should not have. Sorry budget! Soon I will know all the things though, muhahahaha! In the meantime, I already know more than when I started as the author had me looking up various Norse terms and names and researching many of the references to Norse mythology.
"There comes the shadow- dark dragon flying,
The gleaming serpent, up from Dark- of- Moon Hills; He flies over the plain, and in his pinions he carries corpses."
Speaking of, there are quite a few words or terms in the book that many readers will be unfamiliar with which could overwhelm. I was slightly worried initially but had no issues in the end and I think the point of view count helped with that. The Shadow of the Gods has the lowest count of character perspectives employed in any of John Gwynne’s novels. Generally, I’m not much bothered by the number of perspectives, unless it switches mid-series or there are far too many. For the most part, as long as characters are written well and distinctive, then I’m happy. In this case, though, I think the lower amount of POV’s is an excellent choice, tempering the unfamiliar terms with focused storytelling and providing a great balance. That said, I do hope that the final published book will have a glossary, as it would be valuable to be able to quickly consult it if needed. And now that I have mentioned hopes, can we get Johan Egerkrans to illustrate an edition? That would be just lovely. :)
Näcken by
Johan Egerkrans
Lastly, the fights, the battles, the blood and brutality! Is there any author who can hold a candle to Master Gwynne in this department? If so, they are a rare breed indeed. Juxtaposed against the numerous quiet moments in the book, the violence that is so frequently required in Vigrid explodes off the page with savage intensity! Be it involving humans, trolls, fell-wolves, Tennúr, Tainted or Näcken, I doubt anyone inclined to bloodlust or the appreciation of cheese would name themselves unsatisfied whilst reading The Shadow of the Gods. And while Gwynne has long ago conquered this facet and earned the title of Battle Lord, his writing is still getting better and better, resulting in more intense, breathtaking encounters than ever before. The climax of this book brought with it unmatched ferocity, delivering bloodcurdling betrayal, crushing loss and spilling enough blood to turn rivers red, with John Gwynne’s characters carving a bloody path to a denouement that was as shocking and simultaneously exciting as they come. Masterful.
“I am blood. I am death, I am vengeance”
The Shadow of the Gods is without a doubt as emphatic an opening book as I have read, one of the best beginnings to a fantasy series yet and unquestionably John Gwynne’s best start. I am once again in awe of this author, and there are not many I can say that about on a regular basis. If you are a fan of the author or genre then this is a must-read - you will be doing yourself a disservice by not doing so. Thinking about all his other books has reminded me that I once named John Gwynne an official member of fantasy’s best of the best club. Those days are past though. John Gwynne is presently a member of the board and has his sights set on becoming the chairman.
“All is lies,” she murmured. “They call this the age of peace, because the ancient war is over and the gods are dead, but if this is peace . . .” She looked to the skies, clouds low and heavy, snow falling in sheets now, and back at the blood- soaked corpses.
“This is the age of storm and murder . . . ”
Official release date: 6th May 2021 (UK) and 4th May 2021 (US)
You can order the book from:
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• The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
• You can find
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Novel Notions -
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.
These 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 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 precise and more 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. 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 or may not 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. 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. -
John Gwynne's 'The Shadow of the Gods' sees three warriors driven by vengeance and ambition navigate different paths through a land riven by dark conspiracies and arcane threats. A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic.
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"SOY SANGRE, SOY MUERTE, SOY VENGANZA"
"La Sombra de los Dioses" es nada menos que una impresionante historia redonda, así de sencillo es perfecta de principio a fin. Sin un solo defecto, de lo mejor que he leído nunca y un verdadero crimen que no nos traigan ya a este genial autor traducido a nuestro idioma, actualmente John Gwynne es uno de los mejores autores que hay, nos trae un historia descarnada y muy violenta inspirada en la mitología nórdica que presenta monstruos, magia original, venganza, bandas de guerra y muros de escudos. Y dioses como nunca antes habéis leído.
Tiene lugar aproximadamente 300 años después de que los Dioses de Vigrið lucharon y lucharon entre sí hasta la aniquilación con la muerte del padre de los dioses y su caída que literalmente rompió el mundo, hoy sus huesos tan grandes como montañas sirven de ciudades. Sigue tres puntos de vista distintos mientras atraviesan el mundo duro, frío y cruel que nos plantea este genio que es Gwynne.
Soberbio es un insulto para lo que es este libro.
Personajes como Orka, una ex guerrera que vive con su marido y su hijo en un lugar tranquilo, Varg, un esclavo que huye para escapar de sus amos y termina cruzandose con los Bloodsworn, por último tenemos a Elvar, una joven guerrera que intenta encontrar su sitio en la batalla y la fama con la banda de cazadores de monstruos Battle-Grim.
Todos tienen pasados profundos e interesantes de los cuales se nos dan más detalles a medida que avanza la historia. Eso fue una gozada pues está todo muy bien pensado, hacia algún tiempo que no me cruzaba leyendo unos personajes tan trabajados, hasta su psicología es tan real como palpable. Estuve absorto, enganchado desde el primer capítulo como pocas veces.
Es un mundo de fantasía único, extenso, rico y muy oscuro del que hay mucho que explorar, una aventura sanguinaria, frescos detalles y únicos que resumiría como una mezcla de algunos de los mejores elementos de la mitología nórdica.
Monstruos al estilo The Witcher, dioses, magia y camaradería. Un mundo muy vivido, visual que es de esos fuera de serie. Para aplaudirle a su autor, muy ambicioso y adictivo. Fue imposible soltarlo.
Escrito en tercera persona, con una capacidad por parte de John Gwynne para sumergirte por completo. De transportarte junto a todos los personajes. De permitirte ver y respirar la historia.
Una profundidad en la construcción del mundo que es extensa y detallada. Las imágenes son vívidas, los escenarios donde la historia toma el ritmo son fáciles de imaginar y las escenas de acción son viscerales, te mete en ellas. Desde los golpes de las armas y el acero que rompen huesos o los sonidos de la batalla resuenan en las páginas. Hasta los olores y las sensaciones, es un miedo realista muy primario. Pues no se corta a la hora de eliminar personajes, y lo que todos le aplaudimos es que lo hace y no lo ves venir. Nunca. ⚔️
La narración está muy equilibrada mezclando acción, suspense, tensión, revelaciones, historia y desarrollo de personajes. Momentos de humor, emociones. Y ya los momentos explosivos en los que la tormenta se desata.. Es una puta gozada que espero os traigan pronto. Algo me han dicho de que están en ello.
Es una JOYA. Imprescindible.
La prosa de Gwynne es una notable mezcla de atmósfera, casi poética, bastante realista pues quitando los muchos elementos fantasticos si en algo destacan sus historias es el realismo, la parte humana y lo espeluznante.
Un mundo de dientes y garras. De frío acero y dioses. La prosa abarca términos nórdicos que van desde la ropa y armaduras hasta incluso los barcos. Un libro de 10 estrellas y lo mejor que he leído. Desde luego ocupa el primer o segundo puesto de lo mejor que he leído este año. Bravo..✍️👏👏👏 -
This book deserves a longer and more praised review!
5 STARS!
**But here’s the thing. It’s the end of the year and I’m soooooo tired.** 🤷🏼♀️🤣😂
The Shadow of the Gods is the first book in a new series by John Gwynne called Bloodsworn Saga.
It’s fantastic, it’s bloody, and it's violent. It has everything that I want in a fantasy book.
**In my opinion, this book should have won the fantasy category on Goodreads. shaking my damn head**
Here's a list of all the fantastic things in this book:
✔️ Amazing characters!
✔️ A well thought out and immersive world that’s set in a Norse/Viking setting.
✔️ Bloody and gory battles!! Seriously, it would be amazing to go back in time and see these types of battles. Woah.
✔️ Old Gods that fought each other to the death. They all have different traits and skills of animals:
fox, bear, wolf, eagle, rat, dragon, hound, etc.
And in this world 300 years later, these Gods had children and their legacy are considered “tainted” and are used as slaves and controlled by slave collars.
✔️ Great and fantastic creatures:
sea serpents, giant ass spiders, weird little flying creatures that like teeth, trolls, etc!
Seriously, this book is awesome!
The pacing is great, the characters are wonderful and I’m so excited for book 2, The Hunger of the Gods.
It can’t get here soon enough! -
4.5 Great epic fantasy read! This has been on my shelf for months and one of my reading goals for this year was to branch out more with my fantasy reads and I am so glad I started with this one!!
This book is set in a Norse inspired world and follows three different people on their journeys while navigating this world of old gods and new realities. There are warriors and witches and myths and magic. There are epic fights and battles. Triumphs and some heartbreak.
This book started off a little bumpy for me bc of all the Nordic words and references but once I got past the first few chapters and got a hold of the lingo it was smooth sailing. There are some slower parts but it's mostly due to necessary world building. This book really unfolds itself to the reader which I loved as a writing style choice so much. There were a few surprises that I definitely didn't see coming!
Orka is my absolute favorite character and I am bloodsworn to her now! I may or may not be going to look into viking style wkouts (if that's a thing) for my new gym regimen. 💙💙💙I can't wait to continue this series!!! -
This Review ✍️
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Support me ☕“Fear is no bad thing,” Orka said. “How can you be brave if you do not feel fear?”
In the past six months I have read almost everything by Gwynne (except for Malice which I read a year ago) and I enjoyed all of these. In fact, TFATF became my favorite quartet of all time. I was ecstatic when I was approved for an ARC of this because it means I could continue this journey (Thanks for the publisher who approved me through Netgalley).
This is a completely new series with a new cast and a new world so people who always wanted to read Gwynne can start with it. I won’t be comparing it to the previous series because they are different.
This book follows three characters:
💉 Orka: I have been hearing a ton of great things about Orka from everyone who read the book. So she’s a warrior in search for vengeance and her lost son!
💉 Varg: He’s trying to find what happened when his sister died and who did it. He joins the Bloodsworn to get more answers.
💉 Elvar: She comes from a slightly more fancy background but she’s trying to make her own name known through her war efforts!
I know most readers have Orka as their favorite character but for me, those POVs were dynamic because every few chapters changed who I was enjoying and who I was a bit less interested in. Overall, the characters are well written and their stories are engaging specially in the last third or something. I still believe that TFATF is my favorite Gwynne book though because of its spectacular characterization.“You are wrong,” Elvar said. “It is kin who are a curse. You cannot choose them; they are inflicted upon you. They are the poison.”
Now the writing is good, I think I am more used to Gwynne writing after reading 7 of his books. As mentioned above, this is a different world so there were new terms and I wish we had a glossary for those and the characters (Of Blood and Bone had a character glossary from the first book). I think there was a lot of Jargon that I was not familiar with and would have appreciated a way to know what is meant by them since I am not the biggest expert on Norse mythology despite being a fan. I did get most of the terms by the end of the book but I would have preferred an “easier” way. It wasn’t hard for me to follow the characters but once again, a glossary is something I always appreciate in a book and Gwynne proved he is so good at writing those in the past.
The world-building is great, I like the new world and atmosphere. I like the incorporation of Gods and magic whether through bloodlines or their bones. I also liked the weapons and clothes and all those little details.
The pacing is slow for the most part with most of the action happening in the last chapters. I always enjoyed Gwynne’s endings and this was not different. I have to mention though that I found this one kind of predictable compared to the previous books and I think it is actually because I read the previous books. I just develop a feeling of how the author thinks and writes and what stuff is ingrained in their writing which was the case here. I am not saying it is a bad thing because with Gwynne it is usually the most appropriate choice that is being selected so I didn’t mind it!“We all have our scars, and not all of them are etched in our skin.”
Summary: I find The Shadow of the Gods to be well written. The characters are well written and it is hard for me to choose a favorite because it kept changing. The world-building and writing are good but I would have appreciated a glossary to support all the new terminology. I loved the ending and I am of course going to continue the sequel which I believe will be even better!
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Una novela impresionante. Lo mejor que he leído en fantasía épica este año y he tenido un año muy bueno con este género.
Dice la sinopsis:
Ha pasado un siglo desde que los dioses lucharon y se extinguieron. Ahora solo quedan sus huesos, que prometen un gran poder a aquellos lo suficientemente valientes como para buscarlos.
Mientras los susurros de guerra resuenan en la tierra de Vigrið, el destino sigue los pasos de tres guerreros: una cazadora en una búsqueda peligrosa, una mujer noble que busca la fama en la batalla y un esclavo que busca venganza entre los mercenarios conocidos como los Hermanos de Sangre.
Los tres darán forma al destino del mundo, ya que una vez más cae bajo la sombra de los dioses.
Mis impresiones
Estamos ante un argumento bien construido, que atrapa desde el principio. Presenta tres tramas en principio desconexas entre sí. Orka es una cazadora que intenta llevar una vida tranquila en una granja apartada con su marido y su hijo. Varg es un esclavo que ha huido de sus amos para acabar uniéndose a una banda conocida como los Hermanos de Sangre. Elvar es una muchacha de origen noble en busca de la gloria como guerrera. Los tres inician sus historias desde lugares diferentes del mundo de Vigrið. De entrada se hace complicado averiguar cómo y dónde van a converger. Gwynne nos va a ir desgranando poco a poco las confluencias hasta proporcionarnos una visión de conjunto. Lo hace de forma magistral, gota a gota. Maneja el interés del lector y nos deja con ganas de leer el siguiente.
Se mueve a ritmo de thriller, ágil, capítulos cortos y mucha acción. Trepidante, no da tregua.
El worldbuilding lo presenta sobre la marcha. Vigrið es un mundo duro, frío e implacable. El autor se ha basado en el mundo vikingo para crearlo. No es exactamente original, la dureza de Vigrið recuerda otros mundos de otras sagas no menos crueles. Lo que destaco es lo bien que ha recreado esa atmósfera, el frío, la sordidez, los lugares, todo. Se visualizan esas salas de hidromiel construidas dentro de los esqueletos de los dioses muertos, se sienten los olores y el frío.
Los personajes, bien trazados. Los tres protagonistas, los mejor trabajados, arrastran un pasado difícil. Son personajes complejos a los que vamos a conocer tanto por sus actos como por su psique. El único pero que les pongo es que los tres tienen perfiles guerreros. Es un pero pequeñito, que no rebaja la nota. El elenco secundario, muy amplio y diverso, cumple con su función.
El sistema de magia me ha sorprendido. Interesante y bastante original.
La novela es la primera entrega de una trilogía. Este primer libro no cierra ninguna de las tramas abiertas. Conecta las tres historias y termina de forma abrupta. Nos deja con la miel en los labios y deseando que publiquen ya el siguiente.
En conclusión. Una novela de fantasía épica bien planteada, ritmo ágil, mucha acción y buenos personajes. Engancha y no da tregua. Recomendable para los amantes de este género. -
Buddy read with Ikenna
“Life is for the living, happiness for the taking.”
The Shadow of the gods is a Norse book set in a world where the gods battled and kill themselves some hundreds of years ago, the world now lives in the shadow of what happened. The descendants of the gods and anyone that have magic are kept are slaves and most of their masters threat them badly which is sad. All the gods are dead except one who is a dragon and was imprisoned by the other gods before they died. They are also strange creatures in this which I adore, the creatures are called Vaesen, a general name for them all, one is called a tennur and the creatures are not only sentient but can talk.
“Strange, how we revert to the behaviour of our childhood, when back in the presence of our family.”
This book features lots of things that I love in fantasy, there is friendship, vengeance, well depicted battle scenes, amazing dialogue and great characters, what more is there to ask for.
The world building is out of this world, especially a place where the characters live in the carcass and bone of a dead giant snake, how creepy is that. The book is written in the POV of three characters, Orka, Elvar and Varg.
“Courage is being scared of a task and doing it anyway.”
I love Orka so much, she is a mother, a mother bear, most of her previous life is unknown but from the glimpses we’ve gotten it wasn’t easy, she made it out and this happens. She is brave, clever and has a heart.
Varg is a former slave who is on a path to avenge his sister, he was lucky to meet The Bloodsworn( a mercenary group) who helped him. He became fast friends with its members due to the fact that he is good and loyal.
“Please take it, before your mood infects me and I cut my own throat.”
“In that case, don’t eat the cheese,” Røkia said to Varg, nudging him with her elbow as she slopped cold porridge into her own bowl. “This could be the answer to my dreams.” She gave Svik a cold smile.”
I’m not sure how I feel about Elvar, she sounds like a spoilt brat, I like the fact that she is willing to make a name for herself, but she is doing it in the wrong places, I hope she changes her priorities in book two. She is a member of The Battle Grim, a group of warriors you captured and sells Tainted people(descendants of the gods) to the highest bidder.
Other interesting characters are Glornir, Rokia, Thorkel, Svik, Breca, Mord and Lif.
The story follows the Orka, Varg and Elvar, the story seems disjointed at first, I kept wondering what it’s all about and how the characters will come together and I love what I got. -
Novela de fantasía oscura ambientada en un mundo vikingo, con magia, criaturas y dioses caídos, que resulta fascinante.
Un mundo de conflictos y violencia que transcurre a través del punto de vista de tres personajes geniales, muy humanos y bien caracterizados, embarcados en un viaje en el que hasta ahora apenas cruzan sus caminos.
Muy buena narración, adictiva y llena de tensión. Genial. -
Rating: 10/10
Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #1) for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.
The Shadow of the Gods is a masterclass in storytelling. It is epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart. A near-perfect combination of Vikings and Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom, but with a fantastical flare that Gwynne executes flawlessly.
I didn’t know a perfect book existed until I turned the last page. The wheels in my mind have been churning for hours, attempting to grind out the perfect words to completely voice my love for this novel. I really don’t believe the words exist and that is probably why I have been racking my brain, coming up with literally nothing.
Like the synopsis states, the story follows three (3) distinct storylines: Orka (the huntress on a dangerous quest), Elvar (the noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame) & Varg (a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn). While we see all of the action through their eyes, there are several key characters you will become very familiar with as the tale progresses. My favorite, outside of our main protagonists, was Svik. He is definitely the comic relief for such a grim tale, and his story (around the halfway point) in which he bests a troll nearly killed me. But to be honest, there wasn’t one character written that I thought really needed more fleshing out. Each played their part in the exact manner required.
The world-building goes without saying. If you’ve read the author’s first couple of series, The Faithful and the Fallen or Of Blood & Bone, you already know this aspect will be comprehensive and elaborate. While the former two (2) series took place in The Banished Lands, The Bloodsworn Trilogy takes place across Vigrid, the Battle-Plain. Gwynne calls it “a new world inspired by Beowulf, Ragnarok and Norse mythology” and that about sums it up. It is a land full of harsh terrain, warbands, monsters, gigantic bones of dead gods and more. Oh, and a massive dragon (though you probably already collected that from the brilliant cover by Marcus Whinney). There are also some aspects I’d LOVE to talk about, but trust me, you are better off finding them out for yourself.
Look, if you have made it this far in my review and you still haven’t preordered yourself a copy, can you just trust me? If Vikings are your thing (and they probably are considering you read my review of a novel inspired by Norse mythology), then do the thing. -
“Death is our constant companion, a whisper in our ear, but when you see a friend fall…nothing prepares us for it, even though we’ve waded through a river of the dead.”
The Shadow of the Gods is set in Vigrid, a Norse-inspired world, and is the first book in the Bloodsword Saga.
Let me first start by saying that I am from a small Nordic country called the Faroe Islands, and I know how to speak Faroese, Danish, and I can read Swedish and Norwegian. Furthermore, I have grown up hearing about Nordic creatures such as the Nix, the Seal Women and Huldufólk. So did this book feel Norse inspired? Absolutely!
The Shadow of the Gods is filled with Norse terminology, myths and creatures. I love seeing names used, such as Sigrun, Agnar and Einar, commonly used in the Faroe Islands. It was a joy to be able to read and understand the Nordic (Icelandic, I think?) used in this book. If you are looking for a Norse-inspired fantasy, then The Shadow of the Gods is the perfect book for you. My only concern is the lack of a glossary. I hope that a glossary is added in the final print so that readers can look up the meaning of the terms used.
John Gwynne is one of the best contemporary fantasy authors when writing a story with multiple POVs. We follow three distinct storylines, and Gwynne masterfully switches between the POVs. The pacing is terrific, and tension and stakes are gradually raised throughout this story, making the reader engaged in each plotline. This book is going to break your heart, so bring tissues!
Orka, Elvar and Varg are well fleshed out, with depth and complex motivations, which make these characters incredibly memorable. I love Orka! It is rare to see a compassionate and badass mother in fantasy. Orka is fierce, loyal and protecting and has the potential to become one of my all-time favourite characters.
Furthermore, the world-building is phenomenal. Gwynne expertly uses Norse inspiration in his world-building, making Vigrid feel vast and fascinating. The world of Vigrid is filled with harsh terrain, mythical creatures, forbidden magic and gods.
My only “criticism” is that Elvar’s storyline starts at a slow pace. However, since you are following multiple POVs, the story never feels dull, and Elvar’s plotline picks up at the 50% mark.
In conclusion, The Shadow of the Gods is a fantastic introduction to the Bloodsworn Saga, filled with memorable characters, phenomenal world-building and heartache. This book is perfect for readers that love Norse inspiration and epic fantasy. I am already anxiously waiting for the sequel!
4.5 / 5 stars
Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. -
“I am blood. I am death, I am vengeance.”
I loved this book so much! This was a fantastic and action-packed fantasy about vengeance, war, grief, loyalty and love. The Shadow of the Gods occurs hundreds of years after the war of gods and follows Orka, a huntress on a journey to avenge her family, Elvar, a noblewoman who wants to be remembered as a great warrior and Varg, a slave who wants to redeem himself as a member of the Bloodsworn, a legion of warriors. During their journey, each of the characters make friends and enemies and find themselves changed forever.
"I am born for the battle-storm and shield wall. I will make my own reputation, not be wed into someone else's."
Thoughts
I was completely transported into this epic and brilliant world that the author created from the very first page. The plot was so interesting and exciting! I loved the Norse mythology weaved into this story, it was unique and unlike anything I have read before. The world building was amazing, I loved learning about this Norse inspired world of trolls, gods, dragons, warriors, and monsters.
Characters
The characters were so complex, interesting and unique. I loved Orka so much, she is awesome, strong, resilient, tenacious, brave, loyal, and will do anything to protect the people she loves. I also love Elvar, she is bold, strong, stubborn, fierce, and loyal. I love Varg, he is strong, brave, loyal, kind, and powerful. I also really loved the side characters, especially Rokia, Edel, Vol, Thorkel, and Glomir. The character development was excellent, I loved seeing different sides to all the characters, especially Varg, Orka and Elvar. Each of the main characters learned another part of themselves and realized how strong and capable they are. I loved that the author portrayal the women in this story as strong, powerful and capable. The women characters were all so amazing and strong!
Writing
The author's writing is excellent and so descriptive, I felt like I was with the characters experiencing the same events and emotions that they experienced. I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind, I could almost hear and smell everything that was happening The storytelling was also amazing, the author completely engaged me from the beginning till the end and left me wanting more. The ending was so exciting and shocking! I can't wait to read the next book!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, amazing world building, awesome characters and excellent storytelling. -
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek:
https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
John Gwynne is one of those special types of authors, an author who makes you remember why you originally fell in love with a specific genre and then further solidifies that love you have. He is one of my favourite fantasy authors, his The Faithful and the Fallen series is incredible and my all-time favourite fantasy series and his subsequent follow-up trilogy the Of Blood and Bone trilogy is one of my favourite fantasy trilogies.
All of Gwynne’s previous work was set in The Banished Lands, but his latest The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #1) is a brand new start for the author featuring an all-new cast of characters, a new setting and a new world with new legends to be forged and new adventures to be had.
The Shadow of the Gods takes place in Vigrid also known as the ‘Battle-Plain’ in The Shattered Realms. Three hundred years have passed since the pantheon of gods warred against and destroyed each other, breaking, nearly destroying and reshaping the world. In the death throes of the devastating god war, in their death and as a fallen god fell to the ground the land ruptured opening a pit to the underground which released vaesen (creatures and monsters) into the world above. Vigrid is a Norse-inspired broken, brutal, unforgiving and violent world where conditions are harsh and life is hard. It is a land of fjords, forests and mountains, of villages, towns, and larger settlements, of roaming warbands, of savage creatures and monsters and of the dead gods, their relics and their colossal bones that still hold remnants of their power.
In The Shadow of the Gods, the story is told through Orka, Elvar, and Varg a trio of well-developed POV characters. Each POV is bolstered by a rich cast of memorable supporting characters, some with smaller roles and some who are key and prominent with far larger roles to play in the unfolding story. Dark deeds and rumours plague Vigrid and children are being taken for an unknown purpose. Orka, Elvar and Varg each find themselves on their own perilous journey as they all become embroiled in the search for the missing children, their own personal quests for vengeance, for battle-fame and the struggle between Queen Helka, Jarl Storr and others who all vie for power over Vigrid.
Orka is a mother and a trapper who lives out in the wilds with her husband Thorkel and their young son Breca in a remote steading. Orka has a past and has left behind who she once was trading violence and bloodshed for an isolated and quiet life and only ventures to the nearby village to occasionally trade goods and animal pelts with the villagers. Elvar is a young warrior with the Warband known as the Battle-Grim and a jarl’s daughter who left behind a life of chained power and wealth for freedom. Elvar rejected her life of privilege to become a nobody with the chance to make a name for herself, rising through the ranks of the Battlegrim and carving her own path, earning her own battle-fame, respect and reputation. Varg is a former thrall who gained his freedom and is a recent addition to the ranks of the Bloodsworn, a renowned mercenary company. Varg is yet to take the oath to fully become a member of the Bloodsworn, as first, he needs to prove his worth in battle, earn his battle-fame and show them that he is worthy of joining their ranks.
The Shadow of the Gods is written in the third-person with Gwynne’s ability to immerse you, transporting you alongside the characters allowing you to live and breathe the story on full display. There is a depth to the world-building which is extensive and detailed. The imagery is vivid, the settings where the story takes pace easy to picture and the action scenes are visceral and weighted with a heft to them, the bone-crushing blows of weapons reverberate and the sounds of battle echo from out of the pages. The storytelling is balanced mixing together action, adventure, suspense, tension, revelations, story and character development. There are moments of humour, moments that are emotionally charged, explosive moments full of drama, slower and more quiet moments that act as the calm in the storm and many personal and powerful moments found throughout the story.
If you are a seasoned reader of Gwynne and have read his previous work then you will already know what to expect from The Shadow of the Gods which contains all the staple elements that we have come to expect and love in a Gwynne book, it is quintessential Gwynne honed to perfection, sharpened to a deadly edge and it does NOT disappoint. For new readers enjoy your first time experiencing Gwynne as he is a magnificent storyteller of gritty and grim fantasy that is full of heart. For old and new readers alike, simply, you are in for a treat as The Shadow of the Gods is absolutely stunning, one hell of an epic series opener and a spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy. -
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 Elvar 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.
