| Title | : | The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0356514226 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780356514222 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 656 |
| Publication | : | First published April 14, 2022 |
Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest.
As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own – and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance.
Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her.
Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god.
Their hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead . . . and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth.
The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #2) Reviews
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ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
The Hunger of the Gods tempestuous final chapters have successfully prepared readers for the grand conclusion to come.
So here we are again, another year and another book by John Gwynne, one of my top favorite authors of all time. The Shadow of the Gods was one of the best books released in 2021 for me. The Hunger of the Gods, the second book in The Bloodsworn Saga, is my second most anticipated books—the first one belongs to The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson—of 2022. Before I talk about what worked so well for me in this continuation, it is mandatory for me to give my praises towards the publisher—Orbit Books—and the cover artist: Marcus Whinney. If you somehow haven’t seen the cover art of The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods, do it now. Orbit Books and Whinney has created another epic and distinctive cover seller. The scope of Lik-Rifa and Ulfrir in the cover arts is massive, and the realism looks downright stunning.
Picture: The Hunger of the Gods by Marcus Whinney
Also, if it has been a while since you’ve read The Shadow of the Gods, Gwynne has included something handy and helpful for his readers, just proving even further that he cares about his readers. The first few pages of The Hunger of the Gods contained a detailed recap of The Shadow of the Gods, a character list and what happened to them before, plus Norse terminologies and pronunciations guide. These are all always wonderful to me. And I’ve said this repeatedly, a detailed recap should be a norm in a sequel in an SFF series. Any authors who include this section in their books have a bigger chance of me reading their sequel ASAP rather than putting them on a backlog until their series is completed first. Now, did The Hunger of the Gods live up to my high expectation? Mostly yes. Here’s my review on it, and I’m going to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible. Other than the first three main POV characters of The Shadow of the Gods and one new POV or two supporting characters, I won’t mention any other characters’ names.
“When we die, it does not take long for us to go back to the ground, to become what we were, once the spark of life has left us. So I do this to remind me, of where we came from, of where we are headed, and that this life is fleeting. Best to make the most of it. To fight hard and fierce.”
The plotline in The Hunger of the Gods starts immediately from where The Shadow of the Gods ended. The three main POV characters—Orka, Varg, Elvar—from the first book have to deal with the aftermath of their respective conclusion. It is worth noting that the three main POV characters in The Shadow of the Gods didn’t have an intersecting storyline or chapters until literally the last chapter of the book. In The Hunger of the Gods, the story, conflicts, and missions of Orka, Varg, and Elvar converged in several sections. Essentially, the three returning main characters embarked upon their own respective rescue mission. The themes of loneliness, found family, forgiveness, courage, glory, and leadership are still dominant in this brutal Norse-inspired fantasy world and series. However, Gwynne has added two new POV characters into The Hunger of the Gods, and I think they added the extra depth that the series needed. But before we get to that, I will tell you what I loved about Orka, Varg, and Elvar’s POV first.
“Real courage is to feel fear, but to stand and face it, not run from it.”
Orka and her story arc was easily the biggest highlight of The Shadow of the Gods for me. It was a simple revenge and rescue story executed magnificently. With that book alone, Orka has become one of my favorite characters in fantasy. It should not come as a surprise that I continue to enjoy reading Orka's POV chapters immensely. Almost every moment of being inside her head was so delightful. Seeing her incredible strength and determination to protect what she loves remains inspiring. Technically, a few moments aside, Orka did not develop much as a character. Considering her relatively older age, prowess, and expertise in war, she was already ahead in wisdom (when she's not too pissed, at least) compared to many other characters in the series. But I just loved reading about the relationships she built with the other supporting characters. Plus, the battle scenes in her chapters—especially the final few chapters—were utterly breathtaking. Also, I am a big fan of the God of War video games. Whether it's the Greek-mythology original trilogy or the newly released Norse-mythology one, I think they're all masterwork in video games. And I know John Gwynne and his family are all fans of the Norse-mythology God of War video game, too. That's why it genuinely made me happy to see this nod to the video game.
“I am sorry,” Lif said.
“Do not be sorry,” Orka growled, “be better.”
Gif: “Do not be sorry, be better.” From God of War
But enough about Orka, you all know how much I loved her chapters already. Let's talk a bit about Varg and the Bloodsworn before we move on to talking about Elvar. If you've read The Shadow of the Gods, then you will know that the theme of friendship and found family shines the most in Varg's and Elvar's chapters. This is still the same case here. Although his chapters were relatively less intense for the majority of the book, I think Gwynne has successfully nailed the balance of see-saw in the calm and the intense moments in Varg's POV chapters. Remember Svik's cheese story in The Shadow of the Gods, another one regarding how life is not fair made a return here, and it was a great chapter, though less humorous, for sure. All of this does not mean that Varg's chapters were devoid of pulse-pounding battle scenes. It's fewer than Gwynne's usual standard, but the Gwynnado in the middle part of the novel that revolved around his chapters were unputdownable.
“Brother. How have I had such good fortune to find these people, after so many years of loneliness and pain?”
Elvar was the main character that took me longer than the other characters to feel invested in The Shadow of the Gods. However, I knew from the last quarter, and the end of the first novel, that she's going to be a crucially important character in The Bloodsworn Saga, and The Hunger of the Gods proved that. Elvar's starting and concluding chapters in this book were impactful. Witnessing how much she has developed since her first chapter in The Shadow of the Gods was undeniably satisfying to me. The theme of leadership was strong in Orka's chapters, but it's even more evident in Elvar and the Battle-Grim's story. Also, following the epic bloodbath in the conclusion of Elvar's story in The Shadow of the Gods, the calamity and destruction displayed in the last few chapters of Elvar's story in this book were Gwynne's epic and thrilling battle scenes at their best.
“Life is a knife’s edge, and all can change with the thrust of a blade.”
As you can probably guess, Orka, Varg, and Elvar's chapters were compelling for me. How about the two new POV characters? Well, I'm glad Gwynne decided to add them into this book. Having villain’s POV chapters was one of the key ingredients that made The Banished Lands Saga brilliant. These two new POV characters added an extra layer to the narrative. And one of the things I appreciate most about one of the new POV characters—Gudvarr—is this, Gwynne is doing something new that he has never done before with Gudvarr’s inner voice. By this, I mean that Gwynne is emulating what one of my favorite authors and series of all time did, and that is Joe Abercrombie's style on Sand dan Glokta and Jezal dan Luthar in The First Law trilogy. The arrogance, pettiness, cowardice, and humor somehow made Gudvarr an intriguing character. This is good, especially considering how much I disliked his actions. But the contrast between his actions and inner thoughts was well done. It may not be Abercrombie's level yet—to be fair, no one can do what Abercrombie did with Glokta—but I am pleased to see Gwynne trying out new things and making it work. Take a look at these two passages, for example:
‘“It’s rude,” Gudvar muttered, “and would not be so brave and foolish as to insult me if those bars were not there to protect it.”
I’m glad those bars are there to protect me, he thought.”’
Or this
“Are you Gudvarr?” the man asked him.
How do you know that? As if I would tell you, you sniveling oaf.
The man’s eyes bored into him with a fierce intensity.
“Yes,” he rasped.
These are the kind of passages you’ll get with Gudvarr’s POV chapters. Reminiscent of Glokta, right?
So now you might wonder, why did I not give a 5 stars rating to The Hunger of the Gods? After all, I gave all of these praises already. And despite it having fewer battle scenes than Gwynne's standard in his sequels, the Gwynnado in the middle section and the final 15% of the novel were excellent as always. However, I also have to admit that The Hunger of the Gods felt like it's filled with the infamous middle book syndrome in several sections. Remember, this is still a superb book for me. I loved all the character's POV chapters. But at roughly 210k words and more than 600 pages long, it seems like almost the entirety of the novel revolved around them (all the POV characters) traveling. They travel to one place, they do something there briefly. And then they travel again to another destination, and then they do something again. I loved all the characters, the battles, and the Norse-mythology world plus creatures, but having these traveling sections repeated until the end of the novel did get tiresome at times. I strongly encourage you to use the map provided at the front of the book. It's easy to forget where each POV character is going because everyone was constantly traveling to a place before moving on to travel again.
“To grieve is to be trapped in a world of loneliness.”
I am grieving. Giving John Gwynne’s newest book anything below 5 stars literally pains me. Other than Malice, which I gave a 4.5 stars rating just like this book, I gave all of his other books a 5 stars rating. But as we all know already, none of our top favorite authors can keep a 5/5 stars track record lasting forever. I still love this book so much. My minor issue with the pacing aside, The Hunger of the Gods have furious battle scenes, savage display of power, intricate world-building, and well-written characters. A new age of gods and swords has dawned on Vigrid. If you are familiar with Norse mythology, I doubt it will be difficult for you to predict where the story will go or end up since The Shadow of the Gods. Despite this, The Hunger of the Gods proved to be another marvel written by Gwynne. I needed the third and final book yesterday. And just for fun, I predict the third book of the trilogy will be titled The Battle of the Gods or The War of the Gods.
“Svik should be more like me… He should make a stone of his heart.”
“I can see that would help avoid the pain of betrayal, true enough, but it also stops you feeling the joy of friendship or love.”
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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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Another masterpiece by John Gwynne. Perhaps the best "middle book in a trilogy" released this decade.
Hunger of the Gods somehow improves upon Shadow of the Gods which I didn't think would be possible. Some of the fun of fantasy books is exploring a world for the first time, but Gwynne finds a way to keep this world interesting even after it was properly made clear in the first book.
The pacing is wonderful, with frequent high-energy sequences that do not feel forced. There are multiple extra POVs in this book, which was welcomed as they give the perspective of some of the "baddies". This creates a much more appreciated aspect of "morally grey" characters all around, whereas the first book felt more black and white.
There is also a more epic feel to this book as compared to the first one. The first one ended on an epic scale, but it took some working towards that goal. This book started there and ramped it up to 11. Without spoiling anything, it also ends on a note that makes me want to pick up Book 3 yesterday.
Also, I need to mention that other fantasy writers need to take note from what John Gwynne has done in the beginning of this book. Not only does he have a character listing giving a brief description of everyone in the book, but he has a "what happened in book 1" section that makes it so you don't have to go read the first book again to get right back into the series. I wish every author did these two things -- it makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
This is yet another incredible book from John Gwynne, and for me cements him as the best active fantasy author. Every one of his books is a 5/5 for me, which is not true for any other fantasy author. It's frequent for the middle book in a series to be the worst one (looking at you Mistborn), but thankfully this book breaks from that trend.
I was provided with an advanced copy of this book, so I could give an honest review. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity. -
The Hunger of the Gods has hit 10,000 ratings! *Proud Son!*
I reread The Hunger of the Gods as it was released a few weeks ago, but this time tried it out in an audiobook format. I loved it! I preferred it over The Shadow of the Gods, which was basically perfect! Colin Mace does a really great job narrating this, and he gets across that build of tension to a great crescendo of an ending. Read this if you have not already!
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If you want to see a video featuring goats, biscuits, vikings and The Hunger of the Gods, click here -
The Brothers Gwynne - Goats & Vikings with The Hunger of the Gods
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Being his son, I had the privilege to dive in to The Battle Plains again. Awesome to be reunited with The Bloodsworn and the rest of the cast in another instalment of horror, torment, loss, and most importantly, friendship. -
4.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 -
Holy moly that was some viking-inspired madness. The vaesen, the trolls, the shields, the louse-ridden beards! What an amazing tale. I love this world like Svik loves cheese. You guys are in for a treat.
I love this book more than words can say and I absolutely love the world in which the Bloodsworn live and thrive. -
Another masterpiece by John Gwynne. Perhaps the best "middle book in a trilogy" released this decade.
Hunger of the Gods somehow improves upon Shadow of the Gods which I didn't think would be possible. Some of the fun of fantasy books is exploring a world for the first time, but Gwynne finds a way to keep this world interesting even after it was properly made clear in the first book.
The pacing is wonderful, with frequent high-energy sequences that do not feel forced. There are multiple extra POVs in this book, which was welcomed as they give the perspective of some of the "baddies". This creates a much more appreciated aspect of "morally grey" characters all around, whereas the first book felt more black and white.
There is also a more epic feel to this book as compared to the first one. The first one ended on an epic scale, but it took some working towards that goal. This book started there and ramped it up to 11. Without spoiling anything, it also ends on a note that makes me want to pick up Book 3 yesterday.
Also, I need to mention that other fantasy writers need to take note from what John Gwynne has done in the beginning of this book. Not only does he have a character listing giving a brief description of everyone in the book, but he has a "what happened in book 1" section that makes it so you don't have to go read the first book again to get right back into the series. I wish every author did these two things -- it makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
This is yet another incredible book from John Gwynne, and for me cements him as the best active fantasy author. Every one of his books is a 5/5 for me, which is not true for any other fantasy author. It's frequent for the middle book in a series to be the worst one (looking at you Mistborn), but thankfully this book breaks from that trend. -
My thanks to Orbit books, John Gwynne and Netgalley. I'm not even sure just what to say! I never properly review a book. If I ever did, then I'd surely skip on this one! There is so much going on! Which really just makes it my kind of story. I love all the different perspectives! This second book was nowhere as gung -ho, stones to the wall as the first book. What it did, "I think" was build up the characters and the world more. " Not that we needed another excuse to love them! " Or hate them too! But it also managed to make this world and all its various inhabitants more real. This book was slower then the first. Don't let that dissuade you, because while it may have been slower, I managed to laugh out loud. Chuckle, snicker, smirk 😏 and just be generally amused! Gah! Oh, yeah. I really do adore these people! I will confess that as much as I'm looking forward to the final book, I'm also scared silly. I know how these things go. Sadly, many will die, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that. Also, can Vesli come live with me?
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Woah, woah, woah! Dead Gods Rising (placeholder name) is in one word, INTENSE.
The Shadow of the Gods, the first instalment of The Bloodsworn, is released publicly next month, so I can't say too much. One of the many privileges of being John Gwynne's son is getting access to the first draft of his works. Ed and I have like wolves pounced on this second instalment the second it was finished, and we loved it!
I am probably biased, being his son, but I genuinely adore this series. The characters are household names, so it almost feels as if they are real, and thus the trials, tribulations and torment they are put through just wrenches my heart. This is one rollercoaster of emotions, and I cannot wait to see it edited and released for everyone to see. It is a story of loss, torment, vengeance, and that of friendship.
But first The Shadow of the Gods released May 4th in the US, and May 6th in the UK. -
Absolutely amazing!
5 glorious and epic worthy stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was not able to put this book down for the last 100-150 pages.
John Gwynne delivers another fantastic addition to The Bloodsworn Saga series.
The Hunger of the Gods is the second book in the series and just as brilliant as the first book.
It has epic fights, great characterization, and descriptive creatures causing mayhem.
It has a well developed and immersive Viking world that feels real and much better then a TV show could ever produce.
Gwynne is a master at character development and gory, savage battles that will live on in infamy. He’s just one of the best at the fantasy genre and this book and series resembles that statement.
I am so looking forward to the third book in this series with that cliffhanger of an ending!
Gwynne, you are an evil and brilliant man with that ending. I’m preordering the next book as soon as I can! 🤣😂 -
THIS BOOK SAVED ME FROM A READING SLUMP
The Hunger of the Gods is one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. I loved The Shadow of the Gods and gave it 4.5 stars, and was therefore excited when I received an e-arc of this book. Moreover, the cover art for this series is incredible.
Before I start reviewing this book, I have to mention that this book includes a detailed “story so far” section, a glossary and a character list! I am so glad to see more books, including a recap in their sequels, because it can be incredibly challenging to remember all the different plotlines, character names etc. I was planning on rereading The Shadow of the Gods before picking up this book, but that was not necessary due to a recap being included, so thank you, Orbit! ! So, did this book live up to the hype?
Firstly, this series continuously integrates Norse-inspired elements such as lore, legends and using Norse languages, making this book feel like a real Norse epic fantasy! All the spells are spoken in a language that sounds very familiar to my mother tongue, Faroese. I am guessing it is Icelandic, but I couldn’t say for certain. However, the use of language added another layer of enjoyment to this book that most readers will unfortunately not experience. However, Gwynne always explains what the spells mean or their effects!
The Hunger of the Gods is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2022. There are so many things that made this such a memorable and enjoyable read! Firstly, I felt much more invested in the characters in this book! This book follows Orka, Elvar and Varg after the events of the first book. Consequently, Gwynne has added two additional POVs! I enjoyed following every POV in this book! I remember that I didn’t feel as invested in Elvar’s plotline in the first book, but that was not a problem in The Hunger of the Gods. All the characters, and even the side characters, are complex and compelling! Even the new POVs were enjoyable to follow and helped add higher stakes and depth to the world of Vigrið!
I also need to talk about Orka. In my review for The Shadow of the Gods, I mentioned that Orka had “the potential to become one of my all-time favourite characters”, and I can firmly say that she has entered my hall of fame! Orka continues to be fierce, compassionate, compelling and complex. Orka’s sheer will and determination to fight for her loved ones is awe-inspiring. Fantasy books need more badass mothers!
As always, John Gwynne is able to write some of the most vivid and thrilling action sequences. The battles are epic, cinematic, intense and riveting! There are few authors that are able to write such great action scenes as Gwynne – and that is high praise coming from a reader who rarely enjoys battle scenes! Consequently, the themes of loyalty, determination, morality, family, courage and leadership are at the forefront in this book!
John Gwynne has improved on everything that made The Shadow of the Gods great! The stakes are higher, the characters are more compelling, and the world is fleshed out more! However, this book does feel like a middle book in some ways. There is a lot of travelling in this book which does slow the pace of the story down a bit. However, the conclusion is incredible and heartbreaking! It is worth reading this book just to experience the last chapters of this book!
Even though this book does have some slight pacing issues, Gwynne was able to make me enjoy and feel invested in this story throughout this 600+ page tome! I can imagine that my rating might lower the more I think about this book. However, I am giving this book five stars since I enjoyed every page of this book.
The Bloodsworn Saga is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourite series. John Gwynne has once again been able to craft a cinematic, epic and compelling fantasy story! I can’t wait for book 3!
5 / 5 stars
You can watch my review on Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zp3o...
I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. -
“Real courage is to feel fear, but to stand and face it, not run from it.”
I loved this book so much! This was an epic and action-packed fantasy about vengeance, loyalty, friendship, power, grief and love. The Hunger of the Gods follows warriors Orka, Varg and Elvar as they continue on their journey and try to save the world. Along their journey they meet new challenges and strengthen their friendships with their fellow warriors.
I was immersed in this fantastic and interesting world that the author created from the first page. The pacing started off slow, but it quickly picked up. The plot was so exciting and engaging. The world building was amazing, I loved learning about the unique characters and language in this Norse world of gods, trolls, dragons, giant crows, monsters, warriors and more. The characters were so complex and interesting. I love Orka so much, she is brave, strong, resilient, loyal, fierce and she will do anything for those she cares about. Orka's character development was excellent, I enjoyed seeing another side of her and watch her learn more about herself. I loved Varg, he is strong, kind, brave, loyal and hard working. I loved watching Varg grow as a warrior and learn more about himself and his powers. I really like Elvar, she fierce, bold, strong and honorable. I loved that most of the characters are honorable to their family and friends, look out for each other, and recognize their mistakes. I loved the banter between Varg, Rokia and Svik, it made me smile and brought humor to a difficult world. I really liked the side characters as well and they each had a unique personality. Gwynne's writing is amazing and so detailed. I felt like I was transported into this world through his writing. The author did such a great job of describing and developing the characters, they were so realistic and complex. 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, excellent world building, awesome characters and great writing. -
Al fin, muy contento de que Minotauro os traiga el primero de la saga "Bloodsworn" este mismo año. Lo vais a gozar. Es épico, brutal y memorable. Así es es John Gwynne. Una vez que lo catas no paras, se alzará como uno de vuestros autores favoritos. Deja huella y para mí es uno de los mejores que hay escribiendo actualmente.
Grabado a sangre, fuego, hielo, dioses y acero.
"The Hunger of the Gods" otro 10, otra joya que no deja indiferente y por demasiadas razones. Perfecto, no suelo sentir lástima cuando estoy terminando un libro. Necesito el último.
Debo mencionar algo que no muchos hacen y yo personalmente agradezco, este libro incluye al principio una sección de 4 o 5 páginas detallada del anterior libro. Ademas de un glosario y una lista de personajes.
Una saga que integra continuamente elementos nórdicos, de una manera tan eficiente que es para aplaudir. La tradición, leyendas, idiomas nórdicos. El uso de los lenguajes en por ejemplo la magia, le da ese toque de realismo. Y eso no es nada. Una ambientación cuidada y muy bien desarrollada. Una evolución constante es lo que encuentra el lector en esta segunda parte, no es para nada un puente hacia el tercero.
La evolución tanto de todas las tramas y de los personajes nos deja varios giros. Momentos y batallas. Ritmo muy ágil, puede que incluso superior al primero.
Aquí no recuerdo ni un sólo momento de pausa y los que pueda haber son algo esencial.
Los libros de John Gwynne que he leído y en los que voy a leer, seguramente, reflejan su muy marcada habilidad para retratar una realidad sombría y brutal sin exagerar, ni emplearla sin razón, todo tiene un orden que nunca ves venir.
Un propósito, como una partida de ajedrez en el sentido de que Gwynne avanza la trama como quiere y a menudo no ves a donde va, o lo ves pero no aciertas. Solo tiene un fallo este libro y es que se termina.
Cual maestro herrero va forjando con cuidado en cada detalle, con fuerza cuando se requiere, a fuego y agua, nos muestra desde los detalles de la ropa o del entorno, las armas y técnicas de lucha cuerpo a cuerpo, la tensión, lo que se siente en esos momentos, es devastadoramente realista o en el muro de escudos. Esto le da un toque a su historia que me quito el sombrero.
En este punto ya he comprobado que Gwynne tiene la costumbre de darme de lo mejorcito en batallas que he leído. Sangre y aceros se cruzan. Realismo en cada movimiento, miembros cercenados y escudos rotos. Criaturas temibles, unos dioses imparables y nuestros personajes morirán. Pues Gwynne carece de piedad. Hasta que terminas el libro no sabrás quien sobrevivirá. Hay muchas escenas de acción épicas que dan ganas hasta de releerlas.
Indescriptible lo que crea este autor, desde personajes, momentos y escenas que hay que leerlo para entender lo difícil que es para mi explicar el nivel de detalle y precisión de John Gwynne. Mejor ni hablemos de lo que engancha.
El mundo continúa creciendo y vemos muchos lugares a medida que los personajes viajan y viajan. Este mundo tiene mucho que exprimir aún. Espero que Gwynne se quede más, pues creo que da para otra saga, ojalá, porque me encantaría.
Este libro abre un más el telón sobre el aspecto mítico de esta epopeya de fantasía inspirada en los nórdicos. Los dioses emergen. Personajes que avanzan, sufren, mueren y sobreviven.
Todas las piezas del tablero están en su sitio para la conclusión final. Y joder, cómo me ha gustado la partida. Cada movimiento. Es todo tan fresco y original. Otro nivel. -
5/5
The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne is a brilliantly crafted tale of Vengeance and Chaos.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have trouble putting into words what I feel. But I'm gonna try my best.😅 It's gonna take a little more time for me to get back to normal after finishing this book. The book is just tooooooo good.
First of all huge thanks to the publisher and author for approving my request on NetGalley and it goes without saying that this is my unbiased review/opinion.
Lik-Rifa, the deagon god is freed from her prison by the Dragon-Born. Orka's search for her son Brecca continues. Varg and the Bloodsworn begins their hunt for Skalk, who had abducted Vol, the cheif's wife and finally, Elvar and Battle Grim proceeds to fulfill their blood oath made to Uspa by rescuing her husband and son.
WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
Characters: Orka, Varg and Elvar are back. But this time they are not the only POV characters. There are few more additional POV characters from the antagonist's side which will give you an idea about their reasoning and what they are upto. it's a delight to read from all the POVs. John Gwynne has done a fantastic job in giving a distinct personality and much depth to each character, even the secondary characters that you cannot help but relate with them.
I had a little trouble with Elvar's POV in The Shadow of the Gods but that's not the case in this one. I liked her POV almost as much as Orka's and the others but Varg's POV still remains my favourite (I'm a sucker for found family and brotherhood in the band trope 😅).
Pacing: I felt that the pacing of this book is little faster than TSOTG but I wouldn't say its breakneck. Its effective in implying the urgency of the situation and the last 150 pages...
Whew... it went like that... it's an explosive finale to say the least. The strakes were high and i was turning the pages in a feverish manner 😅😅.
Battle Sequences: One of the many reasons why John Gwynne is among my favourite authors is that his detailed/descriptive writing of battle sequences where I can easily track what is happening on the battlefield. So shocking no one, the battle/action sequences in this book were just pure brilliant. SHIELD WAAAALLLL !!!
And also, the character interaction especially the conversation between the main characters were handled wonderfully and I would love to read more of other characters reaction when they find out Orka is the Skullsplitter.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
Absolutely nothing.... Maybe I'm a little biased when it comes to John Gwynne but I honestly couldn't find anything wrong with this book. If I have to complaint, only thing I can thing of right now is that there is no book 3. I need it ASAP 😬
FINAL WORLD: The Hunger of the Gods is explosive, maddening, bloody and brilliant. In this book, John Gwynne achieved what he set out to do... Setting up for the epic clash which I'll be first in line to read. -
Incredible sequel. Gwynne crafts incredible worlds with evocative action scenes and visceral landscapes. Big fan of the characters and excited to see where they go.
-
5 stars, 100 stars, 1 million stars!!!⭐⭐⭐
I am unwell!!!! Seriously, I may need a sedative. This book is the most pulse pounding, nail-biting, action-packed piece of literature I think I have ever read! I set out this year to branch out a bit more with my fantasy reads and I am so glad I started with this series. This installment is even better than the first and the bar was already pretty high.
Orka is just one of the best book characters I have ever read, full stop. I thought this woman threw down in the first book but here she takes it to another level. Do we need to talk about the eye?!!! She is the definition of F around and find out! I loved her new crew and of course Lif has a special place in my heart. But the scene stealers for me are Spert and Vessli! I love these little weirdo demons so much!
My man Vard has the best character growth of any one in the books and I am loving his journey and seeing him become a true warrior is thrilling! I am so attached to the Bloodsworn and their found family dynamic. Rokia and Vard need to seal the deal tho, they aren't fooling anyone!
I do have one small beef to call out,.... Mr. Gwynn, with all due respect sir, you didn't have to do my man Vard like that!!! I mean, I at least thought you would sew that thing back on! 😂 (if you know, you know)
When I saw we were getting Gudvar pov chapters I wasn't too excited at first, but I was totally wrong bc they were some of the most entertaining, dude is a total weasel, but he is funny as hell. Biorr can kick rocks. (I know it's complicated and I understand his motivations, but I find him to be such a hypocrite)
I liked Elvar more in this book. (Although she is still not much better then Biorr) She stepped up and seems to be coming around to seeing how inhumane it is to enslave people. I love Grend and I thought his reaction to Orka was "interesting".
John Gwyne's writing is so immersive you feel like you are right there in the thick of the action with the characters. It's wonderfully brutal and epic but also emotionally magnetic. I can't wait to read the final installment! -
Original review posted on my blog Out of This World SFF:
https://outofthisworldrev.blogspot.co...
John Gwynne's books are always difficult for me to review because so much happens, the characters are really complex (in a good way) and there's often a rich and detailed history to his tales that are hard to encapsulate in a short review. So I will do my best, although I feel like no matter what I come up with it won't come anywhere near doing this book or series justice.
The second in Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga picks up immediately following the events that concluded the first book. Orka is still desperately traversing the continent looking for those who tore apart her family, while hoping that it still isn't too late to save her son. Her rugged determination throughout this entire series is really what carries this story for me. I haven't come across a main character who I've immediately connected with quite like I have with Orka. To say she's a true badass would be an understatement. She has more than earned her moniker of Orka Skullsplitter, which is one of the cooler names in fantasy I have to admit.
The POVs in this book are slightly expanded. In book one the focus was pretty much on three main characters, however we get a little bit of a wider scope in THE HUNGER OF THE GODS and this makes sense given that the story is expanding considerably as well. That being said, I didn't mind the fact that we experience some other characters' journeys and it wasn't confusing as their stories intersect with the main characters much of the time. So Gwynne has definitely given us a broader view of the players in book two and the results are spectacular.
One thing in particular that I really loved about this book is that Gwynne peels back the curtain a bit further on the mythical aspect of this Norse-inspired fantasy epic. The gods begin to emerge more and it really takes this already engaging plot to another level entirely. No longer are we dealing with disputes and battles among humans, now ancient (and in some cases downright evil) gods are attempting to influence matters. Consequently, the magic that was only somewhat present in The Shadow of the Gods is considerably ramped up in this entry.
I didn't think it was possible for me to be wowed by a John Gwynne book more than I already have leading up to this point. But he continues to amaze me with his ability to introduce unique compelling storylines, magnificent otherworldly creatures, interesting characters who you care about so deeply, and that trademark Gwynne writing that is always tight, witty, and filled with memorable quotes that you can't help but highlight and refer back to later.
There's also an interesting dichotomy when dealing with a book like this. I wanted to savor every page and slow down to enjoy it more, but at the same time I couldn't help devouring it in huge marathon sessions because the story is just that great. So I finished fairly quickly for an almost 700-page doorstopper and now I am quite sad that I will have yet another long wait for the next one. But that's also the joy of reading amazing books, that anticipation for something that is potentially even greater down the road. And I can say without hesitation that this series fits the bill.
If you are looking for one of the best Norse-inspired epic fantasy stories, then you really must pick up this series. John Gwynne has certainly done his homework and created one of the greatest escape reads I've ever come across. Resurrected gods, warring clans, perilous quests, mesmerizing magic, a landscape that transports you to an amazing new place, and a sense of wonder that attracts us all to fantasy books in the first place. As far as I'm concerned Gwynne has only further cemented his place among the very best writers in the genre. Just run and get your copy the moment it hits the shelves, you will not be disappointed. -
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The Shadow of the Gods ★★★★
The Hunger of the Gods ★★★★★
Book #54 for the year and MY FIRST 5 STARS READ FOR 2022!!!!!!
I have read everything that Gwynne wrote with this being the ninth book. My favorite up to this point is The Faithful and the Fallen series which still remains my favorite quartet of all times. Of Blood and Bone & The Bloodsworn Saga book 1 were good but I wanted more from both. I am happy to say that The Hunger of the Gods is close in quality to TFATF and it is is the first book to get 5 stars from me in 2022 after reading almost 60 books!
I was hesitant to go into this just because it is a chunky book and I did not remember everything in book one so it was a challenge. Gwynne made my life much easier by including a recap section at the beginning, a glossary for the characters and even a pronunciation guide. Believe me when I say that without those and specially the recap I would not have enjoyed this series and probably would not have continued it. I am not big into rereads and many readers are like me so I think more authors should be doing this small yet very impactful act of including summaries of the previous books in series.
The writing was great and it is not really a surprise because Gwynne has that atmospheric prose that makes you dive into the story and enjoy it. I think what makes this book stand up are the characters. The story is told through multiple POVs like the first book and the author makes them all intriguing and intertwined in a way that made me think a bit too much about his writing process. I also wish that I had a big map of the world with statues of he characters that I could move along the map and see how everything come together because that’s simply how much I was submerged in the story.
One of the characters gave me Abercrombie characters vibes and I really enjoyed it. The Gods are a big part of the story in this entry which made the world-building and magic systems more complex and I am here for that.
Summary: Although there were small bits that makes this more of a 4.5 stars book. It is the first book that rekindled my love of reading this year which makes it deserve a 5 stars rating. The prose is great, the characters are to die for and I don’t know how Gwynne writes but the scale is just mind-blowing and I love it. I believe the next book will be as great and I can’t wait to read it. -
“The world is cruel and full of pain and dark deeds.”
I’m still not quite sure how it was possible for Gwynne to add even more depth, or build on to his already fantastic realm of Vigrid, and amazing group of characters… but he did. I’ve never been so instantly connected to such a large group of characters in a book or series. Everyone loves Orka & Brecca, she’s honestly one of my all time favorite characters. But I found myself waiting for Elvar, and Varg’s POV chapters. I adored the dynamic between Røkia, Svik (my favorite), and Varg! Their humor and camaraderie brought so much light into this rather dark world. If Varg & Røkia don’t end up together, I will riot. Also notable mention to the creepy, yet adorable Vesli and Spert. Never would’ve thought I’d enjoy a tooth crunching little flying monster or a water scorpion??? But here we are.
“And the lamb is not made to rule the wolf.”
The element of slavery or “thralls” instantly fills me with rage, and from the first book I’ve been hoping for an uprising or revolution. I had no idea where that plot line would go but I’m so excited to see it pan out.
“Real courage is to feel fear, but to stand and face it, not run from it.”
I think what sets Gwynne’s writing apart (aside from mind blowing world building), would be his incredible way of portraying exceptional characters. How they honor their family, friends, responsibilities, own up to their mistakes, find humor, strength, and love in the darkest times, and how the best people look out for those being mistreated. Ohh and his epic bloody battles, shield walls, and my personal favorite… revenge.
“Harm her and your screams will fill the world.”
Even though I’d prefer to have the next installment of The Bloodsworn Saga in my hands right now, I have a new favorite author, and I plan on reading his ENTIRE backlist while waiting for the next book.
Thank you to John Gwynne and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. -
This is an incredible followup to what is fast becoming one of my favorite series of all time. John Gwynne is a master of his craft, and his characters in this story are (in my opinion) the best he's ever created.
We get a lot more of the Bloodsworn here, which I loved. Though some characters, like Svik and Einar, took more of a supporting role/backseat in this installment.
I connected a lot with Elvar, and her story feels...sort of villainous? As the fair-fame band of trappers and slavers, they were already a bit murky and unlikable, but it's interesting to see their side of things. I think their primary path in this installment is positively rooted, so they become more sympathetic...maybe? Idk. I'm excited to follow the Battle-Grim further into the abyss.
You also get some new perspectives. I really enjoyed seeing through Biorr's eyes. His insight into the world and the Gods is interesting. So, he's another grey character that is incredibly complex and fun to read. I absolutely loathe Guđvarr, which I guess serves a purpose, too. He was masterfully written...but I still hate him.
But, in the end, the heart of this story was and is Orka. There's no getting around it. As much as I love the Bloodsworn, Orka's chapters and story arc are my favorite. She's always doing something reckless and unexpected. She's so damn good-natured and warm-hearted, despite having a stony and fierce demeanor. I root for anyone even in close proximity to her. And her tagalongs in this book added so much to her story and character. All said, I think her story was the live wire of The Hunger of the Gods. And THAT ENDING!?
No spoilers, but I can't wait to see what happens next.
.
.
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Oh. I almost forgot! I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
John Gwynne’s "The Hunger of the Gods" is a truly epic sequel. The world building is beautifully designed, the story is incredibly engaging, and the battle sequences are raw and relentless. The power of the book is in the characters. They are strong individuals that would circle the land to fight for what they believe in, sacrifice themselves to save the ones they love, and prove their worth to the world. It's bleak, but it also has a great sense of wonder. You want to root for the characters, and it’s easy to find one or two of their traits in yourself. I was reading this in a receptive state of mind—I was embroiled in the plot, excited about the resurrection of the gods, and yes, fairly emotional in some heart-wrenching moments.
// The story picks up right where The Shadow of The Gods left off. Orka (my fave), Varg, Elvar (a close second), Biorr, and Gudvarr set the tone and will do anything to achieve their goals in Vigrid. //
In my opinion, the best fantasy novels have very little to do with the actual fight scenes and everything to do with the characters' personal journeys. They go above and beyond what their body is capable of and use their strengths to fight off fears as they embark on their voyage. I love how this series focuses on strong and fierce heroines. From Orka to Rokia, to Elvar and Myrk. You do not want to mess with them, but you would be proud (and honored) to hold up a seax and battle right along side them.
// “Grief, it eats away at us, like rust on iron. But it can be a weapon, too.” //
Right off the bat there is a battle sequence that sets the tone of the entire book. You get exactly what you missed out on the last book. The Gods show up and a fierce battle ensues, leaving you in a state of shock and awe, all the while, wanting more. The stars of the book are once again, Orka and Elvar, a seasoned warrior and a warrior who is coming into her own. Two other key characters are Biorr and Gudvarr. We travel with them as they give us some insight into the "bad guys" and what they are planning for the future of Vigrid. I really enjoyed the depth of the connecting stories and how they are all running steadfast into one another. It’s done with heart, grimness, strength, and sometimes, loss.
Orka is still hunting for Breca, and she is using every lead, person, spell, and scrap of information she can find to help her. It’s incredibly touching because, on the way to fulfilling her vengeance, she takes time to help others in need when she does not have to. These actions set her apart and make me root for her even more! She is so unselfish with her fighting talents and uses every opportunity to push people away who are trying to help her because she does not want them to get hurt, or worse. Elvar, on the other hand, is taking the Battle-Grim across the land to carry out her blood promise, and Varg is helping his team find Vol. It is a fun journey, and I relished every second of it.
// “I would cross the oceans of the world for you.” //
Okay, incredible story and character development aside, let's talk about some of the fun settings and my favorite sequences. Right at the top of the heap would have to be the tongue creatures that Varg and the crew come across on their way across the ocean. I do not want to give too much away here, but these creatures infect your tongue and slowly rot the body and the mind until you become a shell of yourself and a slave to their will. The description is disgusting, and I had to marvel at the innovative idea. The second would have to be something I can’t say without spoilers. Let’s just say large things are flying that go bump in the night. The third would have to be the infiltration of Galdur Tower. It was brisk, but oh so exciting. The fourth has to do with Vol. I’ll just leave it there. Whew, it was insane. Oh, and one more thing. Can we give a round of applause to the description of the weapons and how they are handled? Also, the shield wall tactics were a fun strategy to learn about, both offensively and defensively.
// “If more made that choice, in their head and hearts, to live a peaceful life with those they love and value, and just allow others to do the same.” //
There is only one more bit I would like to cover before I end the review. When does the third book come out? That ending was crazy. I knew something was up when major things were transpiring and I only had like 20 pages left. But seriously, at the end, what are we left with? Misty eyes, marvelous battles, and some surprising twists. It is a glorious and beautiful tale—one that will appeal to a large number of people. I think it will change the minds of those who really do not like to read fantasy or are on the fence. I’m so glad my GR friends recommended it to me and I will keep the praise flowing to everyone I know as well.
──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── Extra 📝’s ──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗──
●○ LOVE Orka.
●○ LOVE Elvar.
●○ I could not stand Gudvarr at first, but he kind of grew on me.
●○ The resurrection of the Gods – say no more.
●○ The ending. - ♥&💔
●○ Elvar's battle for supremacy and the meeting with the family. Whoa!
●○ How did I forget to mention the book of forbidden magic and the soul road???
●○ First half - 🤯
●○ Middle - 🤯
●○ End - 🤯🤯
──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── 🎵 Music queues 🎵 ──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗──
●○ Borknagar – Up North.
●○ Arch Enemy – War Eternal.
●○ Gojira – Stranded.
●○ Beast In Black – From Hell With Love.
──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── 5 ★'s ──∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗── -
Full review to come on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks -
Buddy read with Ikenna
The Hunger of the gods is the second book in The Bloodsworn Saga and though it pains me to say it, I have to say this book didn’t live up to expectations, it was still a great book though 4/5 stars but I expected more.
“Real courage is to feel fear, but to stand and face it, not run from it.”
The plot progression was slow, the book felt like a preparation to the final book, almost everything that happened here felt like a prelude to what will happen in the next and final book in the series.
Despite the above, this book was action packed, there were lots of fight scenes that were well depicted, the world building was awesome, I love the world and the way the author depicted it made it look like a movie in my mind.
Characters
My favourite character is still Orka though she didn’t develop more, I expected a little back story about her past but there was none, I have to admit, I love the way she fights, it shows she has experience.
Varg is finally getting used to life as a free man, he is also learning how to fight and how better to use his powers, his POV was always refreshing.
I was skeptical about Elvar in book 1, I couldn’t decide whether she was good or evil, now I’ve accepted that there’s no black and white here, she’s a selfish, power and fame obsessed woman and I love that, she knows what she wants and she goes for it, she did some awesome things in this book.
There were two new POVs in this book, that of Biorr and Gudvarr.
Biorr’s POV was enlightening, it tells the readers what’s happening where he is, I actually feel bad for him, he can’t decide whether he is on the right side, he has to make a decision soon.
Then there’s Gudvarr who is a morally ambiguous character, he leans more towards villainy than goodness, the only person he loves apart from himself is his aunt, I bet he can screw her over if his life is on the line.
“We can all say brave words when the danger is passed. I should know, that is my speciality. ”
Plot minor spoilers from book 1
Elvar got what she wanted, fame and money that she couldn’t spend in one lifetime but things didn’t exactly go according to plan now she needs to get things in order before she can enjoy the life she wants.
Biorr is back with his people but things isn’t as expected, he doesn’t feel as great as he should.
Varg and the Bloodsworn are on the hunt for
Skalk who betrayed them and took Vol away.
Orka’s POV didn’t progress much, she’s still on her search for her son who got taken in book 1. -
4.25 stars
This book! Now I can say yes I fully understand why is Gwynne so hyped and now I'm motivated again to read the Faithful and the Fallen. I also have to thank my friends, I probably wouldn't have read this book without them since they decided to buddy read this book and I decided to join them.
I read the Shadow of the Gods last year and the world-building + idea behind the book were great but the book itself.. not so much. I sadly found it boring (except for the ending) and I couldn't connect to the characters. I was interested in reading this book because I wanted to learn what's going to happen to the children. However, this book held my attention for so many other reasons and I found myself invested in different subplots (while the fate of the children took the backseat).
The Hunger of the Gods was an improvement on so many levels.
First, and most importantly, it was actually gripping and I couldn't put the book down, especially in the last 30%. Things were happening and we had several well-executed battle scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Second, Elvar. I did not like her in the first book, well, I was just bored reading her PoVs the most and I wasn't interested in her arc at all. However, I got to admit, she shone in this book. Very impressive character development. I found myself looking forward to her chapter if anything.
I also highly appreciate the summary, map, and list of characters/terms which was found at the start of the book. It was one of the things I struggled with in the first book, the new terms and keeping track of everyone. I learned later that some copies had extra material in this concern and some didn't for some reason. Anyhow, it was here in the book and it made it easier to me to go back into the world.
Another plus for this book was that we saw the conflict from two perspectives, the "good" and the "bad" guys that line blurred and it wasn't so clear who are the good people (well except Varg and Orka of course). I hate Gudvarr however I know why his chapters were necessary, they added a lot to the story. Although I internally sighed whenever his chapter came up, I appreciated those more in the last part of the book given his unique perspective and role in the events. He's the cockroach of the book.
You might be wondering why didn't rate this book higher if I enjoyed it so much?
I wish the chapters were longer. They usually end on a cliffhanger while being less than 10 pages, that's not positive. It also made us focus on the plot more and what's happening with the characters rather than the characters themselves (since the focus was targeted towards what happened after the cliffhanger). I do admit that shorter chapters mean a faster reading pace to me but some could've definitely been longer. On the other hand, some chapters could've been removed especially in the first half since they didn't add much to the story, or at least should've been summed up and combined with another chapter.
Another point I have to mention is that it's most likely I became a heartless person recently but I could not connect with the characters, "feel" with them. Sure, I empathized with Orka for example and desperately wanted her to find Breca but I did not feel any connection nor link with the characters. You know, living the story through their eyes. It's probably due to a phase i've been passing through lately, being detached from the stories I'm reading, but then again, maybe not.
I was often lost by the sea of names, I did check the glossary, yes but I wasn't able to truly distinguish their personalities except for very few, the rest were painted by the same shade.
Basically, that's the sum of it! If also didn't fully enjoy the first instalment please give this one a chance! You probably won't regret it! I finished this book today and wrote this messy review before sleep so I'll do the editing tomorrow and add any other points I missed. I'm not reviewing much anymore but given the fact that I wrote a not-so-positive review of book 1, this book totally deserves the praise! Had to say this too! -
This book has a lot of plot, which is both a good thing and a bad thing.
Here is my video review:
https://youtu.be/bqJ33eMl384?t=299
A whole lot of plot leads to a fast paced book, which is a advantage for a lot of people. In that same vein, there are a lot of action scenes in this book. They are well crafted, with immersive details and short, snappy sentences.
However, the large amount of plot is part of what made me not love this book. Each POV character has their own quest and cast of side characters to help them, and it grew very difficult to keep track of them all. That difficultly of keeping track of them led to me struggling to emotionally connect to the characters.
My biggest complaint about this book is in the characters. They all have strong motivations, and this book helps us to understand intellectually what their goals and needs are. However, this book does not seem concerned with helping us feel what the characters are feeling. Many of the characters have revenge quests that should feel emotionally charged, and yet the book prioritized the action of the plot over those emotions.
The chapters for this book are very short. For me, this made it even harder to connect to the characters. We rarely got to spend much time with one before switching to another.
I was delighted by the beginning of the book, which included a character list and a summary of book 1. Very helpful!
Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. -
This book was determined to be a 4 star until the last 30 pages or so. So it gets 4.5.
Hunger of the Gods was my most anticipated book of the year, after absolutely loving Shadow of the Gods last year. I was so psyched to get an ARC of it, and it bounced right to the top of my TBR.
And it is really good. We got even more in depth worldbuilding, more time with the characters I loved in SotG, the mythology of the first book is expanded. Gwynne remains excellent at writing combat, and developing characters that you root for. Gwynne added two new POVs that gave us perspective on the villains and this added a lot to the brewing conflict. The ending of this book was incredible, even better than book 1!
Unfortunately, this book did feel like a step down to me from SotG. It felt very much like a middle book. Tons of traveling, doing a task, travelling, doing a task. At one point all of the POVs are travelling at the same time to different places and I'm like this is ludacrious haha. Also, there is so many blood feuds in this book. You need a chart to keep track of all the people who have vowed to kill each other.
There are moments of this book I absolutely loved, and I really enjoy this world and these characters, so even a step down is still fantastic. I cannot wait for book three after that amazing ending.
9/10 -
Why didn’t I savor this one instead of devouring it?! Now I have to wait for the final book. 😔
-
Warning for people that are unfamiliar with me. 3 stars means exactly what Goodreads says it does, which means I liked this book. Didn't love it and it certainly doesn't mean I hated it. ANYWAY. This was mostly enjoyable and does a lot of what I love in Gwynnes writing which is balancing multiple POVs well, creating compelling characters and kickass combat.
It also meandered a lot for me in the middle sections of the book and felt a little bit bloated though and ultimately I didn't enjoy it as much as Shadow of the Gods. Overall it was good but has some noticeable flaws and I still want to see this story to its conclusion. -
CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
🔲 complex and fascinating
✅ hard to believe they are fictional
PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown
WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
✅ nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story
ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book
PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
✅ page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down
So epic! -
Gwynne continues to impress with the second installment in The Bloodsworn Saga and, as usual, leaves us with massive cliff hangers! Mark Lawrence blurbed that "John Gwynne is the closest we have to an inheritor of David Gemmell's mantel as master of heroic fantasy with grit and heart" and I have to agree. The same set of characters grace the pages of this one, albeit with some minor ones now occupying major POVs, and Gwynne shifts POVs adroitly for sure. Our main protagonists are still Orka the Skullsplitter, former leader of the Bloodsworn; a mercenary band of 'tainted'. Varg, the former thrall, now a full fledged member of the Bloodsworn, and finally Elvar, the 'princess' of a major Jarl, who forsake her role as a 'broodmare' and joined another mercenary band, the 'Battle-Grim', who make their coin on finding 'tainted' to sell to warlords as thralls.
Gwynne left the first installment with cliffhangers everywhere. Elvar and the Battle-Grim had just witnessed the freeing of Lik-Rifa, the dragon-god, from her prison of 300 years, so legends have come to life. Further, Elvar, using some rune magic, raised the wolf-god from death and thralled him to her. Orka is still in search of her stolen son, and Varg is on a quest with the Bloodsworn to find the kidnapped wife of their leader. Whew! We also have a new POV coming from the dragon-born 'tainted' as they amass a massive warband and a minor prince of a Jarl who is engaged in intrigue in one of the larger cities...
This is a long installment and I will not even try to give a synopsis here. Gwynne moves the various story arcs along nicely and we even have some of the long awaited convergence of our main protagonists (albeit for a short while). This did have something of a placeholder feel to it, however, as obviously Gwynne is setting up the world-shattering denouement in the next volume; we have various machinations going on everywhere preparing for a battle that will reshape the world for better or worse.
What I really liked, and this was more pronounced here than the previous volume, was the deepening understanding of the Tainted and thralldom. The Tainted are descendants of the various gods and can call forth some of their power. After the 'god battle' that almost destroyed the world, these folks were hunted down and killed until a magical way was found to control them with slave collars; now they largely serve as bodyguards, etc. The Bloodsworn are all tainted, but free. So, in some ways, the future of the world revolves around the institution of slavery. Lif-Rifa, the dragon-god, would like to put the tainted in charge (under her of course), but she has more than a few screws loose. The wolf-god, her brother and enemy, has, however been 'thralled' to Elvar. You know the two gods will meet up sooner or later, and Gwynne gives us therefore a complicated scenario where the dragon-god and followers seek to end slavery, at least for the tainted, where Elvar and the wolf-god fight primarily for the status quo. This leaves us with no 'pure' good guys to root for, as each 'side' has deep flaws. Finally, there is also the southern kingdom across the sea, who also have some intentions for the North, and they have powerful magic as well.
Great stuff from Gwynne! I feel this is even more polished than his 'banished lands' series and the Norse-inspired world is definitely more fun. 4.5 stars!!! -
This book is everything I loved about The Shadow of the Gods turned up to maximum. Orka is still the stand out but Varg and Elvar are really growing on me as they grow into their new lives. And the new POVs are wonderful too. I even grew to like a certain-snot nosed, would-be tough guy. This series is a master at work, expertly weaving his saga tale. Go read it.
