Cover Image: The Shadow of the Gods

The Shadow of the Gods

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Member Reviews

This truly is an epic fantasy. This was my first John gywnne book and it certainly d8d not disappoint.

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The Gods have fallen, driven to extinction by a war that changed the land of Vigrið forever.... 

Now is the time of man and women seeking riches, power and battle fame, glory! The Jarls are grabbing power by any means necessary and for all that means change. Into this world we follow three very different characters, Orka, a huntress On a dangerous quest, Elvar a noble born who has forsaken a life of comfort in pursuit of battle fame and glory and lastly Varg a former thrall That seeks bloody vengeance.

John Gwynne has created what is essentially a modern masterpiece a new take on the epic sagas of old. His Norse inspired tale is full of amazingly imagined world building, Vigrið standing out just as middle earth did for Tolkien. An unforgiving land of fyords and mountains and wild creatures of legend where only the strong can forge a life. The characters, all of them are what drive the story and I particularly loved the members of the mercenary gang that Varg becomes involved with the Bloodsworn ... Of course the two things that Gwynne has become known for is more than present here, incredible main characters and battles... I literally pity the person that gets in the way of Orka, if you are looking for strong female leads then you can do no better, as she strides from one blood soaked encounter to another on her very personal quest you can't help but be amazed at the chaos and destruction she leaves in her wake... Elvar is a little less assured, but no less dangerous always looking to prove her worth in the company of the Battle Grim and escape her pampered life of no control. But quite possibly one of the best realised and instantly loved characters of modern fantasy is Varg. On a trail of vengeance we seem him grow from a lonely slave desperately trying to seek vengeance to being swept up by events and hurled along in the company of the Bloodsworn slowly coming to understand he doesn't have to always be alone. The violence is well described, never embellished and all the more real for it, hard, bloody, with anger, hate,  fear and desperation,  jumping off the page... We follow the three as it becomes clear that they will have a part to play in deciding not only their own fates but those of all around them.

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As an avid reader of fantasy, I found this story to be one of the greatest books I have ever read! John Gwynne knows how to bring characters to life.

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This book is incredible! I was intrigued because of the Norse-inspired world and it didn't disappoint.

The book follows 3 points of view: Orka, a huntress on a dangerous quest; Elvar, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame; and Varg, a thrall who seeks vengeance. As this is the 1st volume in a series, I am still not 100% sure how their stories will intertwine in the end, but the introduction was incredible.

The start is slow, but I feel like this was done on purpose so you fully get immersed in the story and you end up caring about all the characters. From the start I have found Elvar's perspective more interesting and captivating, but as the story develops I was craving more of Orka and her struggles and in the end I wanted more of Varg's side. This book made me scream in the last chapters and I need the second volume immediately.

The only part that was a problem at the start of the book were the names and terminology. I was lucky enough to have the audiobook and it helped a lot with this. I ended up listening to audiobook and reading at the same time and it was the best experience for me.

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I really enjoyed this! Even more than expected for saying how tired I've been and needing to wiki quite a lot of the words to understand the translations. Excited for book 2! Have already seen there's a reference to flick back to - handy!

4.5*

Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to an eArc via NetGalley.

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Another stunning book from John Gwynne.
The Faithfull and the Fallen is still my favourite ever fantasy series. I was reluctant to read this series as I didn't think John could get anywhere near the brilliance of his first series. But it is truly epic!
Norse inspired fantasy at its finest!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this. I loved reading from multiple perspectives throughout and found I couldn’t put it down at some points. I was nervous going into this as I thought it would be a difficult fantasy book to follow but I very quickly got to grasps with it all! Excellent book!! I can’t wait to pick up book 2!!

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The writing style felt slightly repetitive to me. Repeated descriptions of things in attempt to convey imagery, but it just left me feeling annoyed until I didn't even care what was happening.

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This is my second attempt at reading a John Gwynne book. The first was Malice, which unfortunately I could not get into and gave up on about three quarters of the way through. The Shadow of the Gods was a different story altogether and Norse inspired fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy I'm annoyed I didn't try sooner. The Shadow of the Gods is very character driven, the plot feels secondary to the character development, which is not a criticism because the lack of characters I cared about was why I couldn't get into Malice. Elvar and Grend were my favourite characters - their relationship is great! Varg grew on me and Orka is a fantastic character. The Shadow of the Gods is very intriguing and the ending leaves you wondering where book 2 will go.

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[[The Witcher meets Vikings in this new Norse-inspired fantasy series from acclaimed British author John Gwynne, which will thrill his existing fans as well as being the perfect starting point for new readers.THE GREATEST SAGAS ARE WRITTEN IN BLOOD.]]

Absolutely brilliant, John Gwynne once again has brought a brand new world into our lives which really does feel real. It had taken me a while to get into it just because I was so used to The Faithful and The Fallen world and characters and another reason both worlds and chatacters are similar.

Five stars because the writing was brilliant, characters fully loaded from the first chapter, I do wonder why the chapters are named after the main characters only because each chapter sometimes can feel its about everyone not just the main characters. Gwynne knows how to get you hooked specially after the first fight. Emotionally you get to feel hate and sadness about the characters and just the story in general.

Would definitely recommend this to anyone coming into fantasy for the first time. Maybe not this world but John Gwynne in general.

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Another DNF round-up, another author that just didn’t work for me despite him having a substantial David Gemmell influence. Hunger of the Gods has all the swagger, grit, and action you could ask for, but I think that in its quest to put down a big epic bang to start the story, the characters don’t come across that clearly. They’re just doing what any other fantasy protagonist would do in their shoes. As such I didn’t get hooked on them, I didn’t get hooked on the story, and I put it down.

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Shadow of the Gods is the 1st book in the Bloodsworn Saga and my first experience of John Gwynne’s writing also and the hype surrounding this book didn’t disappoint!

In terms of plot, I’ll try keep it simple, the book follows 3 different characters and paths; Orka who is searching for her child and vengeance for her murdered husband, Varg who has been taken in by the Bloodsworn warriors who also wishes to find who murdered his sister, and Elvar and her Battle Grim companions seeking infamy and wealth in battle. These characters, with their various motivations, travel through a violent, treacherous land of dead Gods, the Tainted (tainted by the powers of the Gods) and rivals. That’s a very simplified overview that doesn’t really do the book justice but I’ll be honest, the plot is not the key point to this book, the shining star is the characters and I enjoyed every page I got to know them.

Fantasy books can be a bit hit and miss for me, I appreciate this is likely an unfair generalisation and books have moved on, but previously my attempts to read adult fantasy written by male authors read very much like at the expense of women, women who spend the majority of the book oppressed and suffering. What I loved most about Gwynne’s writing is how the female characters are represented, Elvar is treated as an equal (as are other women in the Battle Grim group), there is not even a suggestion of her capabilities or strength and she has actively broken away from the expectations of servitude, marrying and birthing. Then there’s Orka, love of my life Orka, a spectacular woman, she’s a badass, she’s blood hungry, she’s a mother, a wife, she’s compassionate and kind, she’s the ultimate Mumma Bear out to get the people who took her boy and her scenes, action or not, are so enjoyable to read. Varg is a character that really blossoms on the page, he grew up only having his sister for support or friendship and since losing her, his single goal has been to avenge her, however as the book develops and he is taken in by the Bloodsworn, he allows himself friendship and a belonging he hasn’t known before. These 3 main characters are so well rounded, good but not always nice, their motivations clear so you understand them, their humanity and compassion developed so you always root for them, that I found this book incredibly easy to read. There are also a lot of fantastic supporting characters, there are A LOT of characters and yes at times differentiating the Norse names left me a bit confused (although that could just be me), but you always know what is happening and there are characters in each journey that really make this book special, each character journey in a sense having it’s own family you’re invited into.

This book doesn’t hold back, it’s not indulgent in the violence on the page but enough is said to create a rich, dangerous environment where the odds are always high and characters you love can and will die, you cannot afford to get comfortable! The world building is extraordinary, incorporating different landscapes, different Gods, different strategies, and all in a way that isn’t overwhelming but still incredibly deep.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review, I am a Gwynne convert now and will be immediately diving into Hunger of the Gods at my soonest opportunity!!

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My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is an awesome Norse inspired fantasy story, clever compelling descriptive and fast paced, with almost non stop action and be warned those of a nervous disposition at times gory and gruesome. Atmospheric character driven and more than enough to keep my aged brain creaking. The story revolves around three main characters in rotating chapters. I found the book unputdownable cannot wait to start the next, assuming my 'thought cage' can stand the strain. This is quality writing of the highest order as you are swept along and totally involved with the story.
Completely recommended.

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This was everything I wanted from a Viking fantasy, Gwynne has an amazing ability to write a world you will find it hard to leave!

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The Shadow of the Gods is an intricately woven high fantasy steeped in Viking lore and Norse mythology. Following three separate protagonists, we see each of them traverse unknown lands and unimaginable adventures filled with monsters, all in the shadows of God's long dead, in search of answers to age long mysteries and the hope of battle fame.

This absolutely blew every fantasy I've read recently out of the water for its detailed world building and wonderful action adventure story line. John Gwynne holds the readers hand, guiding them slowly into this world without compromising on the thrills and spills. 'Oh, you enjoyed that little hint of troll fighting? Here, have a sea serpent'. Amazing. There's never any hint of information overload, and I found myself just really enjoying the adventure as the mysteries of the world slowly unfold. I especially enjoyed the magic system, with this idea that the blood of the dead Gods, long destroyed in a war of their own making, lives on in their children - humans known as the Tainted. Stigmatised in this Godless world, they are seen as less than slaves and exploited for their power. I liked seeing the various powers bestowed on them, and trying to work out who was Tainted.

Our three protagonists Orka, Varg and Elvar all follow completely separate and personal journeys, converging near the conclusion in ways I didn't see coming. Of the three Varg is my favourite, coming into the story as an escaped slave with a troubling past who finds himself amongst the Bloodsworn. He's a deeply complicated, troubled soul who I found to be really well developed and fleshed out. The camaraderie and found family aspects of his storyline also really helped compliment his story arc. That isn't to say I didn't love Orka and Elvar either. Both of them also have a lot of soul searching (and it Orka's case child searching) throughout the story and I grew to care for them deeply. Orka, so closed off from everyone except her small familyz must learn to open up to gain her revenge. And Elvar still has a long way to go to prove her independence and battle prowess. It's so rare for me to have a multiple pov story where I love each one, but this is one of the rare few. However, I can't deny I have an extra special soft spot for the Bloodsworn and its motley crew.

If you enjoy fantasy infused with mythology and a richly described world and complicated and well developed characters, I urge you to pick this up.

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The Shadow of the Gods is the best first book of a series John Gwynne had written. The world is wonderfully intricate and explored through the eyes of three interesting characters.

The characterisation is done very well, giving us relatable characters with clear motivations and conflicts that are compelling.

The plot starts as a slower burn but by the end of a bombastic page turner. A must read for Viking enthusiasts and fantasy fans in general.

Full video review posted April 2021

https://youtu.be/bPk1pnWYPY8

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A vikings style journey that gets more and more intriguing the more you read. There is so much going on but following only 3 POVs lets the story be understood easily. At first I had a bit of a hard time with the non-english terms but then it became so much part of the story that I wasn't an issue at all. I got in sync with the plot. The three POVs gave us three different perspective of the big picture: someone is kidnapping kids and they want to get them back and get revenge from whoever is taking them and killing people in the process.
It might be a conspiracy, it might be something about the old gods, it might be anything. They need and want to find out. They all set out on a journey that will take them to meet new people and meet again people they knew, they will lose and gain, they will be quite busy!
I really enjoyed all the elements in this book, all the little details that made the story the epic high fantasy it was, full of magic and mysteries.
Your heart is not ready. After that ending I need the sequel asap!

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We’ve been blessed with some brilliant Norse inspired books this year, from the likes of Angus Donald and SJA Turney, and John Gwynne has thrown his hat into the ring with a brilliant new fantasy novel.

As I’ve come to expect from Gwynne, he writes such a brilliantly compelling cast of characters. Their entwining POV chapters weave a story of blood and magic that would be at home at any skald’s fireside.

The book is a real page tuner, the action comes thick and fast, and we race to an ending that completely surprises and stuns. I really cant wait for book 2 in this series, its such a joy to read.

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I have heard so many good things about John Gwynne that it’s a wonder that Shadow of the Gods is the first book of his that I have read. Before even picking up this book I felt like John Gwynne was one of my new favourite authors and this can come with its own pressure, sometimes you can build something up so much that nothing can ever live up to those expectations.
I am happy to say that Shadow of the Gods exceeded all my expectations. I loved it.
Shadow of the Gods is a Norse inspired epic fantasy focusing on three main characters, Varg, Orka and Elvar. The story jumps between those characters view point and as the story progresses to the amazing cliffhanger ending you can help but fall in love with each character and the supporting cast around them.
Varg is a former slave who wins his way into joining a mercenary company in the hopes that it can help him achieve his own personal quest.
Elvar is also a member of a mercenary company, not the same one as Varg, and we follow her story as she struggles to establish her own history and story away from the influence of her parents.
Finally we have Orka, a mother and ferocious warrior who is on her own personal mission to get revenge against her enemies.
All three characters are amazing complex and the interactions with the characters around them are amazingly done. As the characters trouble along their own separate stories we learn the history and about the amazing world that John Gwynne has created. The world is fabulously fleshed out and I can’t wait to see it expanded in future books.
My only slight criticism would be that the jumping from POV to POV occasionally left me frustrated that I couldn’t continue with one characters story, but this is not a critique of John Gwynne’s writing but the exact opposite. Each character and their story was so great that I didn’t want to stop reading it.
I’m summary, this is a fantastic start to a series I have no doubt will go on to be a classic of the fantasy genre and the characters introduced in this book will be on future best characters in fantasy list. If you like action, well drawn out characters and excellent fantasy then this book is for you

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This was my first Gwynne book and it will most certainly not be my last. I absolutely loved every single moment and aspect of this book, and devoured it the space of a couple of days because as soon as I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again and find out what was happening. Norse-inspired fantasy is fast becoming one of my favourites, and the worldbuilding in this one blew my mind - from the tales of the Gods, to the Bloodsworn, to the smaller details such as 'thought cage' it all made for an incredible, cohesive whole - and I will be rereading it soon, because there was so much in this world, it feels like I always find new aspects to savour. Then there were the characters. The main POV characters were all fantastic in their own way, and I loved the variety - but Orka stole my heart from the moment she first appeared on the page (she also terrifies me, but in the best way) and I was always delighted when we got to her chapters. Elvar was my second favourite - but it was possibly her storyline that I became most invested in. A favourite read for 2021 without a doubt, and I cannot wait for the next book.

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