This is the first John Gwynne book I have read so far, despite having Malice on my radar for years now. I have heard so much about his beautiful writing, epic fights, and world-building that I already had high expectations for this book. Let me tell you that I was not disappointed. We follow the pov's of three characters, Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Each character and the people surrounding them grew on me so quickly and I was rooting for them so hard. Gwynnes's beautiful and detailed writing made me feel like I was there with them. I felt their pain, their rage, I felt the cold winter air on my skin, and I felt their grief. The book is dark and the stakes are high, yet there was a good hint of humor here and there that would lighten the mood after a heavy battle. the ending blew me away. I kept wondering how it would end, how the characters would meet, and what would happen. There was twist after twist and the ending was so incredibly good that I bumped the rating from 4.5 stars to 5 stars. It's seriously so good. Go read it! You can thank me later.

This is my very first John Gwyeen and it won’t be the last.
This is such an epic adventure. the world building was incredible and I loved that is was was a Norse inspired fantasy. I loved reading the different Norse words (not that I knew what they were) but it gave it its authenticity. I literally felt so drawn Into the book.
So following the 3 POVs we get to learn about each character and their journey in this epic tale.
You quickly learn to love each of the different characters, there is a strong family bond feel to this book.
I absolutely loved it.
Sorry this isn’t a very long review.

Thank you to Orbit Books UK and Netgalley for sending me the arc in exchange for an honest review

The Shadow of the Gods is an excellent fantasy novel that is heavily inspired by Norse mythology. As a lover of mythology, I really appreciated how detailed the Norse influence was in this book and you could tell as a reader that the author had done their research. The characters were strong and well-written, with a personal favourite character of mine being Orka! She was a very complicated and multi-layered character that I enjoyed reading about. The world building was absolutely phenomenal and was my favourite part.

I do, however, find that the pacing of this book was quite slow. With most of the action happening in the last chapters, I did struggle to get through certain parts of this book at times. I also think having a glossary would serve this book well. Overall this was a phenomenal and richly detailed book that I enjoyed!

The Shadow of the Gods is the first instalment in The Bloodsworn trilogy from inimitable fantasy author John Gwynne and is an epic of wild lands and wilder magic, where not all monsters fight with tooth and claw and the treasures of the gods come at a price. This is the age of storm and murder. A gritty, violent and bloodthirsty Norse-inspired tale. Set in Vigrið, also known as the Battle-Plain in The Shattered Realms, it's 300 years after the old gods died in an Almighty battle leaving the world broken. They fought themselves to extinction, their remains scattered across the battleground of a fractured land, where monsters roam and humans are most definitely not the apex predator. From the ashes of this cataclysm a new world must be forged, territories carved out and ruled over by new Jarls, petty kings and queens, all hungry for power. No matter what the cost. And there is power to be found within the remains of the gods—their bones, their weapons and jewels, and their offspring. The half-breed children of gods and humans, gifted with powers that make them a fearsome enemy—and a desirable prize. Mercenary bands form, hired to search out these relics, remains and god-children, competing against one another for the most powerful, seeking to sell them to the highest bidder. Power doesn’t come cheap. Following three main characters, Orka, who used to be a renowned warrior and is now married with a young son and working as a huntress to earn a living. They keep to themselves but when children are disappearing from the area one by one Orka is a little concerned then she returns home one day to discover her house burned to the ground and her son nowhere to be found.

And so begins Orka’s desperate and dangerous mission to track down Drekr, the culprit responsible for the abductions, if she ever wants to see her son again. Varg is a former thrall (slave) who managed to escape his captors, is now a fugitive and is hellbent on finding out who killed his beloved sister to exact revenge and so must locate a seiðr-witch to perform a reading for him. This leads him on a path to join the legendary Bloodsworn mercenary band of brothers and sisters. And last but by no means least, Elvar. Elvar is a noblewoman as she is the daughter of a powerful jarl but she has rejected a life of pomp and privilege, escaped her family ties and joined the monster hunting war-band known as the Battle-Grim in order to make a name for herself rather than living off that of her parents. With intricate and painstakingly authentic historical detail, Gwynne brings alive both the setting and the characters. It's a riveting, multilayered and twisty story told from our 3 protagonists' perspectives and written beautifully, and while there is a large cast each individual has their own motives and journeys that they embark on setting them very much apart from one another. The weaponry and fight scenes are executed superbly and you find yourself invested in the characters and what happens to them. I devoured every word and felt like I inhabited his blood-soaked, richly described and immersive world for a short time. Despite the many threads, the fashion in which Gwynne pulls them together in the denouement is nothing short of spectacular. This is not just one of the finest fantasy novels I've read recently but of all time and is not merely a story but an experience that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended.

“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!

I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit for the galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne transports readers into the thrilling tale of the dangerous fantasy land of Vigrið which is brimming with covetous jarls, monstrous creatures, bands of mercenaries, and bones and relics of the dead gods that still hold power. It is heavily Norse Mythology-inspired.

The story was set hundreds years after the day of the guðfalla --The godsfall. Even when most of the gods were dead, their power and destruction still lingered. A ruined, devastated land, crawling with monster was not the only aftermath of the war. The world became a more treacherous place, where survival took a lot more. Mankind who survived the guðfalla did not want to experience being in the mercy of the gods, so worshipping was forbidden and disapproved of. Also, The Tainted, people with cursed blood, were hunted or sold to become thralls or slaves. The story followed three storylines: Orka, Elvar, and Varg. Orka was a mother, a wife, and a huntress who wanted nothing but to live in peace with her family. Elvar, a fierce mercenary who was determined to leave her mark in songs and saga-tales. Lastly, Varg, a once-thrall who earned her place in a mercenary crew known as the Bloodsworn. Their narrative seemed to be unrelated at first glance, but I was in grim despair and awestruck wonder how their pieces slowly click into place. At first I was a little loss because of the unfamiliar terms used in this novel, but I got used to it as the story progressed. Moreover, this novel had one of the most bloody and brutal fight and battle scenes. When I said brutal, it meant seax stabbings, splitting of skulls, tearing one's flesh through biting, and a lot more.

The world-building was well-established. As I mentioned earlier, this novel was inspired by the Norse mythology, so the characters' aspects and manners, from their clothing, laws and governance, weaponry were detailed. It was apparent that the author did a thorough research to deliver such a realistic world. Also, the history of the Battle-Plain gave a nod to Ragnarok. I liked how it showed the cause of the gods' war, and how the gods' jealousy, greed, and blood-feud almost destroyed the world.

Among all the three main characters, Orka definitely stole the spotlight. Her story grabbed my interest and attention from the start to finish. Not to mention, she was a very complex character and one of the strongest that I had ever read. She was a mother and a wife which meant she had a soft spot and keen desire to protect her family. But also, she was a huntress. She was strong and she had her share of violence deep in her bones. Secondly, I also liked Varg. For some reason, I admired characters who was considered the underdog. The main reason he joined the Bloodsworn was because he seeked the help of seið-witch who could help him seek his vengeance for his sister's death. His character's development was also well-written. He had been alone all his life, and having the Bloodsworn, he found a family and brotherhood in them. Last was Elvar. I did not immediately become hooked of her story, but her inner battles and the reason of her aspiration to prove herself of her own worth was inspiring.

Overall, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne was an epic beginning of new saga. I cannot wait for the second installment!

4.75/5 stars!

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for approving me for an ARC.

Setting

I’ll start my review with the most positive of this book imo - the world. I am not a fan of Norse mythology. Sure, I’ve seen my fair share of Vikings (Lagertha FTW) and I’ve read books on mythology here and there. But it always felt to me, that Norse mythology is a cop out of original story telling in Fantasy.

Well, while The Shadow of the Gods might not be the most singular world I’ve ever read, it was a great world! I loved the cities build in the cranial bones of dead gods, the dark and cold landscape, the Jarls and Queens and the magic and the Tainted.

It felt like a true reimagining of the life of Vikings.

You definitely can tell, that Gwynne is a passionated lover of Norse mythology and a Viking at heart.

Character

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel connected to the main characters. There are three, and at the end I only have interest in one of them and their future story.

For the first half of the book, the characters just didn’t have enough urgency for me or I didn’t even get, what their plans and motives where. Therefore I couldn’t root for them or be invested in their story.

And I feel, that all of the characters felt quite disconnected from any emotion- especially Orka. Therefore, they didn’t feel like fully fleshed out people to me. All three had certain traits and that was more or less the end of it. Some of the side characters had more personality, if you ask me.

And speaking of side characters - Gwynne honestly lost me with all the names and characters. Even at the end I had to grapple my brain to remember, who of the twenty (or however many) warriors was who. They were fairly similar for the most part and I feel it could have been done better.

Also, I want to say, that Gwynne definitely made a point of including many, many women. I appreciate that A LOT. I just wish that some women - and men for that matter - where not just great warriors. Surely even in that world, there are strong characters, who don’t solve their problems by picking up an ax and pummeling other heads into mush?

Its worth mentioning, that I am apparently alone in my opinion as every reviewer of this book that I have seen so far mentioned, that they loved the characters, so by all means don’t take my word for it.

Plot

The plot was slow… Too slow for me. If you’re not a LARPer or interested in fight scenes, that go on for pages, than you might feel the same.

It felt at times, like we were just jumping from one fight scene to the next and since I didn’t feel particularly invested in most of the characters up to the end (when I finally had a minimal grasp on all the names), so the fights weren’t interesting to me for the most part. I had to re-read pages, because my brain literally went on autopilot at times and I missed interesting world building and plot point because of that.

To be fair, the fight scenes felt very accurate, but they were too much - you can tell, that this was a fan writing about his passion, regardless of the fact, if the fight actually did something for the plot or characters.

Generally I would have wished for more of the overarching story. If you cut away the fighting, not much has happened up to 80% of the book. I was happy those last 20% - things were finally happening and shit went down, let me tell you.

TLDR

Liked the setting, am interested in the aftermath of the ending. Was too slow for me and the characters didn’t feel like fully formed people to me for the most part.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Shadow of the gods is a Norse inspired fantasy epic boasting a large cast of characters. It filled the absence of looking forward to watching Vikings, which I am abating with Assassins creed Valhalla. Now I have another tale to enjoy over the forthcoming years. I have to mention the cover is just incredible, showing how I always imagined a dragon.

I will avoid spoilers, and the description of the book gives a good overview already. One aspect stood out more than any other; the action is awesome. It will appeal to everyone. Worldbuilding and character development are sublime, with monsters so good I was rooting for them at times. Dead gods bones and blood are melded into the world, breathing life into the backstory and setting the scene for the Novel.

I love how John blends humour into the tale, enhancing the adventure and raising it to another level. Strong female protagonists enhance the saga with some brilliant plotlines. At one point, I felt I was reading a Viking take on the film Taken, a savage hunt by a parent for their child.

Character-wise, the protagonist Varg was my favourite. John manages to evoke a world that feels real, that you sink softly into without realising as the shadowy tendrils of the worldbuilding wrap around you. Suddenly something will jar you out of a waking dream; breaking the hypnotic tales spell, you realise just how quickly you lost track of time. It is fantastic writing, the best book I have read this year. I was satisfied with how the book ended, though there is a cliffhanger. Luckily book two is written according to the internets rumour mill.

I've given a lot of books five stars because I enjoyed them. Rarely an exception comes along, one which reminds me what a truly great book is. The Shadow of the gods is one such book. I'm simultaneously annoyed that I have to wait for the next book and happy since I haven't read any of his previous work. If you like a fantasy book, buy this now, it's a must-read. It is an Epic; I did not find any weak spots, a strong candidate for book of the year. Buy this now.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc copy of this book!

I already knew that I liked John Gwynne's writing style so when I found out he was writing a Viking inspired series that had dragons in it, I just had to have it.

This book did not disappoint! The world building is fantastic, I fell in love with the characters - I love characters who are a little grey and not just straight good or evil and these characters definitely have their flaws.

The magic system is fascinating too and I can't wait to read more in this world!

The only slight issue I had is that this book features lots of norse worlds and beasties and I really wish there was a glossary with pronunciation guide because i am going to end up butchering names when I film my review for youtube!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Orbit.

I’m a big fan of Norse-inspired TV and books, like Vikings, and The Last Kingdom. I also love dragons. So, when I saw this book on NetGalley I just had to request it. And look at that cover! I’ve ordered a signed copy of this which is going to look great in my collection!

The Shadow of the Gods is the first book in John Gwynne’s new series The Bloodsworn Saga and, in short, it’s a masterpiece. The land, Vigrio, was once populated by gods who warred and battled themselves into extinction. In the present day, besides a variety of mystical beings, Vigrio is populated by humans and the tainted: humans who possess abilities due to having a god’s blood running through their veins--there are several gods and therefore types of tainted with varying abilities. The tainted are viewed as outcasts to be hunted, killed, and enslaved. They are a reminder of the gods battling and shattering the land.

The tale is told from three main POVs: Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Orka’s story is one of vengeance and retribution, she is a bit of a mystery for part of the novel. She clearly has high-level skills as a warrior and hunter, skills she needs as her story progresses, but her bloodlust is kept in check by her husband, Thorkell, who I also loved. Thorkell is also clearly a highly skilled warrior, yet calm and calculated, and with a very soft heart for his wife and their son, Breca. He’s also a little mysterious and there was a very unexpected reveal late in the book, which brought different story arcs together. Similarly, Orka, while being capable of vicious acts of violence, is driven by her love for Thorkell and Breca. Then there are two ‘pets’ (of sorts) of the family, both mystical beings and very dangerous, but who followed the theme of family. They fight for it and are loyal.

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

Our second protagonist is Varg, an ex-Thrall (slave), later to be known as Varg No-sense—I do love some of the names in this book, like Fire-fist, Half-troll, and Skullsplitter. Varg’s story is also one of seeking vengeance, for the murder of his sister. He has sworn to find her killer and exact revenge, but he needs to know who did it, and for that he needs a person with a special ability, one who can show the final moments of a person’s life. Varg’s story isn’t just of vengeance though, it’s also one of finding friendship and no longer beings alone. It’s interesting seeing how he deals with this and the thoughts he has over whether he is betraying his sister by being happy and forging a new life with the Bloodsworn—a talented group of warriors for hire, who also possess a closely guarded secret.

“Get moving, Varg No-sense… Or are you waiting for an eagle to swoop down and carry you the rest of the way?”

Our final protagonist is Elvar, whose story arc I thought was the weakest as it took a while for me to get invested in her and the Battle-Grim. Not that I didn’t enjoy her chapters, I did, and they really took off later on when a few secrets were revealed, and I understood more about the world. It just took a while for her real persona to come through the hard exterior she had created around herself in the story. To be truthful it’s great storytelling and I was a little impatience! As characters in the book cracked her shell a little, as they learned more about her past, so did we, and she unravelled a little more to us. Elvar’s story is about Battle-fame, but also proving herself, proving she could succeed without her family, proving she was more than a chip to be bartered for political gain.

“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.”

The pace of The Shadow of the Gods is quick, you don’t get many moments to take a breath, but they do exist and play an important part. All our protagonists are on journeys through the wilderness and therefore there are plenty of opportunities for sitting around a campfire, or in a mead hall, and reflecting on life and the challenges ahead. Gwynne takes these opportunities to build relationships between characters.

Back to the pacey sections though… on their journeys we are treated to gloriously written epic battle scenes, we feel the struggles of the mind and body, learn harsh lessons, and stare down at certain death. At times, our heartstrings are played like violins. We are blown away with wonderfully rich, atmospheric world building; revel in the beauty and dangers of Vigrio and bask in the vivid detail of the various environments our protagonists find themselves in. Oh, and they three story arcs converge for what is an outstanding finale that will having you circling the release date of book two!

‘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.’

The Shadow of the Gods is a gritty and violent Norse mythology following three distinct point of view perspectives as they traverse Gwynne's well-realised dark fantasy world. Without a doubt, The Shadow of the Gods was my most anticipated read of the year. This world is as majestic as it is haunting, as macabre as it is beautiful, 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. #TheShadowoftheGods #NetGalley

'The Shadow of the Gods’ is the first book in John Gwynne’s ‘Bloodsworn Saga’, a new epic fantasy series inspired by Norse mythology. It tells an excellent, brutal tale, punctuated throughout by a sense of unease. The world Gwynne creates is cruel and unflinching, with no safety for the characters within. This is definitely a read for epic fantasy fans who like their stories on the bloodier side.

The land of Vigrid has been shattered by the fall of the gods, driven to extinction by war. In the broken remains, power-hungry Jarls feud for dominance, and monsters – remnants of the dead gods – stalk the lands. Amidst this chaos, Orka, a wife and mother, tries to eke out a living for her family, staying away from the politicking Jarls. Varg, a fugitive thrall, tries to find justice for his sister. And Elvar, daughter of a noble bloodline, rejects her heritage and goes in search of battle fame. Each are very different, living very separate lives – but something is rising, a dormant power believed dead that could spell the end of Vigrid once and for all.

Unusually for a novel with multiple perspectives, each of Gwynne’s protagonists is equally strong, with an equally compelling storyline. It can be a little difficult at times to keep each character straight – there are a lot of names, some of them very similar (like Elvar and Einar) – but once this is established, each plotline makes a worthy contribution. Orka has retired from the mercenary life, settling down with her husband and son and focusing on raising her family. Her son, Breca, is a sweet child, one constantly going out of his way to save animals and trying to make people do the right thing. In contrast, Orka is a tough, fierce woman, a warrior who may no longer be actively fighting, but who still analyses every situation like a war. Her love for her family is overwhelming and she’ll do anything to protect them. Orka is regularly rash, but she’s an incredibly strong fighter and, despite a lack of regard for human life, she does have a moral compass pointing in more or less the right direction.

Varg is undoubtedly the nicest of the protagonists. He’s spent most of his life as a thrall – a slave to a master’s bidding. His escape has led to a bounty on his head and him being named a murderer, but really all Varg wants is justice for his sister. Varg is constantly getting into situations well over his head, but he has a desperate will to survive and a generous dollop of luck. Varg ends up joining a band of mercenaries, the Bloodsworn, almost by accident, but once there he finds himself with friendship for the first time in his life. The ensuing moral battle between justice for his sister and loyalty to his new friends is beautifully written,as is Varg’s struggle to fight and kill when really all he wants is peace. Varg has the most complete character arc over the course of the novel, so it will be interesting which direction he goes in in the sequel.

Elvar starts the novel as a bit of a mystery. She’s a member of the Battle Grim, another band of mercenaries, but her place isn’t quite established. She also has a mysterious bodyguard, Grend, steadfastly loyal but looked upon with caution by the rest of the Battle Grim. Elvar is another fierce warrior, but unlike Orka it’s initially less clear what she’s fighting for. As the novel progresses, more about Elvar’s past is revealed, and her precarious position in the Battle Grim starts to make sense. Beyond anything, Elvar desires freedom – a desire which many can empathise with.

Gwynne’s worldbuilding is excellent, although this is definitely a novel which benefits from regularly referring to a map. Vigrid is a land divided into sections, each ruled by a Jarl – a powerful warrior. There’s also a Queen, Helga, trying to move away from the feudal system to a more united reign – going about this, naturally, by being stronger than all the rest. The magic system, a minor part, is based on the defeated gods – some people have a remnant of the gods’ powers in their blood, making them known as the Tainted. These people are collared and controls, treated as lower than the thrall slaves. The Tainteds’ powers depend on the god they inherited them from, but are always related to battle. Gwynne avoids info-dumps,instead spreading this information across the novel and allowing the reader to infer it. This allows the novel to flow smoothly, although at the expense of a small amount of confusion as all of the new terms are introduced.

The ending is excellent. A novel with three such separate plotlines is hard to end satisfactorily, but Gwynne manages it, each plotline ending neatly but with clear potential for future development.

Overall, ‘The Shadow of the Gods’ is an exceptionally strong epic fantasy novel, packed with Norse mythology and with three equally strong character arcs. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for the sequel. Recommended to all fans of epic fantasy and Norse mythology.

“Just one more chapter!”
John Gwynne is certainly a master of writing chapters that grip you and compel you to keep turning the page.

He certainly knew how to build up my frustration levels. I just wanted to keep reading about this particular character & their story, but of course, he ends that chapter. Then I just wanted to keep reading about the next character and Gwynne ends that chapter too, leaving me “hanging out” for more, UNCEASINGLY, over and over, wanting more but having to wait.

John Gwynne, I HATE that you leave me hanging and wanting more at the end of EVERY chapter and simultaneously I LOVE it.

Ok, onto the story. At the 60% mark you can tell that this is a series rather than a standalone book. We are introduced to our 3 main characters with 3 different storyline’s and we start to learn about this new world of the Bloodsworn. We not only meet some interesting human characters but also some new fantastic beasts and powerful relics. I enjoyed slowly learning about the strengths of the Gods and I really want to see and hear more of the creatures of this world.

I did find it difficult to track the 2 warbands, in the beginning, as they are essentially both Norse mercenary bands for hire. But Gwynne takes into account my poor memory and adds into the start of each chapter a crumb of information to remind me of what they had been up to in the preceding chapter.

* If you like a well-written book with great pacing, world-building and a storyline that keeps you wanting to read all night --- then this book is for you.
* This is an easy book to read and follow and I would definitely recommend it for those taking their first steps into fantasy. If you are new to fantasy ---- then this book is for you.
* If you would like a touch of fantasy in Viking times and enjoy the world of sword fights, battle axes and shields --- then this book is for you.

Go out and grab this book, in my opinion it will be money well spent. I received an eARC and I have still pre-ordered the hardcover to have on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy.

Links and Amazon reviews closer to the date.

This book....wow... What can I say?
It's been an adventure to read, and here is why.

I'm Norwegian with deep roots in this country and a hunger for knowledge about it's history. I've been reading and learning about vikings, Norse mythology and all that since I was a little girl.
But not many fictional books I've read have been good at capturing both history and myths!

The Shadow of the Gods is an exception!
John Gwynne has mixed together a lot of everything norse in a really good way and the characters we follow are believable and complex.
I love the way he describes things. Beautiful or gory, both in a way that makes me feel that I'm right there with them.
I recognize and understand much of the language used and the names of characters are wisely chosen, making it feel even more close to home.
The pacing in this story is just perfect for me! Not too slow, but not too fast either.
There are twists and turns along the way that left me shocked to the point where I had to put the book down for a minute.
I love that they were not something I saw coming!

And I can't write this review without mentioning a thing that made me over excited to read.
Without spoiling anything, my all time favorite norwegian folk fairytale is in this book! I've probably been told that fairytale since I was born...
It is placed perfectly into the story and I imagine that most people reading this book will have no idea! 😊

Overall, this book is really worth a read for fantasy lovers, Norse nerds and all those in between!
A good story with gory fighting scenes, a good trio of main characters, three different storylines and monsters galore!

I'm now sitting here paciently waiting for the next book in the The Bloodsworn Saga before this one has even been published.

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My mood reading this was something else. Either inside with the band Wardruna playing softly in the background or outside in my garden enjoying the first warmth of the norwegian spring.
Perfect.


5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Shadow of the Gods is the first in a new series from John Gwynne, whose previous tales I’ve enjoyed immensely. It’s set in a new world, rather than using his existing setting - this one seemingly influenced by Norse mythology. From sea-faring, battle-fame hungry raiders, to societies trembling on the precipice between local consensus and monarchy, from dead gods to magic scribed in runes and blood, and a thousand other cuts of the axe, comes a vividly realised world, often brutal, occasionally lethal, but with a living, breathing beauty running through it, around a core of hard steel tipped in carmine.

This is a world that really is, no joke intended, in the shadow of the gods. A war in the heavens left the world broken, new geography, and scattered remnants of humanity, forced labour in this conflict of divinities. Centuries later, the gods are dead, their bones, their magic, scattered across the world. Their part-human descendants carry magic, but not power; the mass of humanity is determined never to live through another war of gods, so attempts to restrain or eliminate these scions of old powers. That said, the society they live in is, itself, no picnic for anyone. There’s a significant warrior class, with a desire for glory running through them like fool gold; but they also have their own traditions, their own compromises, their own conflicts. They do live alongside farmers, villagers, those who sought the stability of the land over the glory of the whale-road. Of course, there are transitions from one to the other - warriors coming home to turn their swords into ploughshares. Gwynee crafts a world which feels very real,at a social level, in its divisions and complexities. Smaller groups of villages are finding themselves swallowed up by the “protection” of armed bands, themselves falling under the sway of proto-monarchs, looking to consolidate their power-bases.


It’s a world that is cold, and makes a people hard. They know their lives are often unstable, and on the edge of a blade at any given moment. There’s a liminal social space, as old, more informal institutions slowly falter, and newer, more hierarchical structures lock into place. But that space is filled with warriors out for blood, gold, and fame. It’s a joy to read through, feeling the snow edge through the links in chale of in mail, the chonk of a shield-wall coming together, the scream as an arrow enters a throat, or the sizzle of flesh under the influence of magical fire; it’s also filled with that quieter, suppressed power of the descendants of the old gods, their blood letting then shift into killing machines, or follow the smell of blood, or see the last moments of life, and death. This is a world which has magic built into it, which has violence built into it, has wonder and old horror at it’s core - and will convince you and grip in equal measure


That’s helped by Gwynne’s top-notch characterisation. We get three points of view through the text, from a seasoned, retired warrior, looking out for her family, from an ex-thrall, entering onto a career of organised violence, and a young man entering into a band of mercenaries. They each have a voice of their own, which is marvellous. Orka’s quietly lethal, no nonsense attitude, twinned with her deep love of her family, and her casual abrasiveness contrast wonderfully with Varg’s desperation and determination never to be a slave again, and Elvar’s youthful energy and desire to make her own reputation, running into the rocks of reality. Each chapter feels like a breath of fresh mountain air, each voice memorable, different, bringing something new to the table. You can feel their wants and needs, both conscious and otherwise, running at and under the surface. You can see Orka enfolded in the warmth of her family, prickly as she is, and you can see Varg’s trauma as he tries to define himself in freedom, even as you marvel at Elvar’s possibly unearned confidence.

They’re all people, is the point. Bloodily, beautifully human, believable people who could step off the page and have a drink with you, quite possibly before stabbing you in the eye. They take the fabric of the world and shape it, and in that shaping, they feel whole, feel real.


I won’t speak to the plot, even more than usual. I’ll say this though, the book sets expectations, subverts them, realises them, works around them and through them. Every chapter is a new moment, as things go wrong, spin out of control, are rebuilt, where betrayals are realised or courage applauded. There’s...so much going on. And the story is precision crafted to enrapture, to exercise a gritty sense of wonder. It’ll grab hold of you as you read, and it won’t let go until the story is done.


This is an absolute barnstormer of a story, one I was up until way too late at night reading. I thin you will be too. Give this one a try.

A Norse-inspired world, outstanding characters, creepy critters (I'll say no more... plot spoilers), and a story that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and gives you a good shake now and then. What's not to love? It ended! But as "The Shadow of the Gods" is the first in a series, I can forgive that! This was my first taste of John Gwynne's work and it certainly won't be my last.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

4.5 stars

Gwynne's writing in The Shadow of the Gods is excellent, its very descriptive and really brings the characters and their world to life. The Norse setting will be familiar to most, but the way he built on that to included fallen Gods and its own lore was great. I especially loved the Backbone Mountains and other landmarks said to be made from the remains of a fallen God. I also liked the inclusion of different shifters descended from the various Gods. These 'tainted' and the few magic wielders are hunted and enslaved for the actions of their forebears in this brutal world.

Through the story we follow three POVs and I think everyone will have their own favourite. Orka will kill you in her hunt for venegence, but you'll probably be glad of it. Elvar was my personal favourite, I liked the interactions she had with other characters and her adventures with her battle clan. Varg embodies loyalty and has a great journey with his own found family trope, he really grew on me as the story progressed.

Actions scenes were plentiful, as you would expect from a story following warriors and fighters, and so well written too. I liked how the plot for each POV built up separately, leading slowly to the connections between them. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they all come together fully in the next book.

My one complaint would be that the cover is a bit misleading. If you're going in expecting lots of dragon scenes because of THAT incredible cover then you'll be surprised by the lack of dragon throughout the vast majority of the book. I do love the cover though.

Overall an excellent introduction to the Bloodsworn Saga, I absolutely intend to get myself a physical copy and continue with the series. Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the e-arc, I so enjoyed reading it.

Firstly, a huge thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

CW: Graphic violence, murder, kidnapping, slavery

This is my first experience of a Gwynne novel, but I had heard so many great things about his previous works that when I saw he was releasing a new series I thought it would be the perfect time to start. Well, I was sort of right: going in completely new and fresh for The Shadow of the Gods was a brilliant reading experience, however, now I have the agonising wait for the next installment of The Bloodsworn Saga.

Whilst all of the protagonists brought something interesting and unique to the novel, my favourite was Orka. I was always so excited to see what was going to be happening in her life, I loved her family dynamic with her husband Thorkel and their son Breca. There was just something so refreshing to read a mother character as strong and fierce as Orka, with her husband equally as strong but portrayed slightly softer by encouraging their child to be a child rather than a small warrior. I loved Orka’s no-nonsense approach to the world around her and found that there was a fine line between protective and terrifying which she was constantly balancing between. It was especially enjoyable to see this ‘lone wolf’ type character, interact with other characters that she would ordinarily avoid.

I was also fascinated by Varg and his story from the beginning, not only was there a lot of mystery regarding his past but there was also the tension of whether he would be accepted into the Bloodsworn. I also loved the cast of characters around him, there was a really authentic camaraderie between the group. Even without being told how long they have been adventuring together or what they have been through, it was immediately clear through the way they all interacted with each other and their throwaway comments to Varg about each other. Whilst there was more humour in Varg’s chapters because of this, that doesn’t mean that they also didn’t have their share of seriousness and drama. In fact, there were a couple of chapters that left my mouth agape and eyes wide.

On that note, whilst I felt that Elvar’s chapters were a little slow in pacing compared to the other two protagonists; once they began to ramp up in the second half of the novel they certainly didn’t pull back on their punches. One of Elvar’s chapters left me in shock and I had to reread it to make sure that my eyes weren’t deceiving me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Elvar at first, whether this was because we were introduced to her last or because of the initial pacing, however, the more I learned about Elvar the more I could understand her motivations and felt myself really rooting for her. I also really liked seeing her hold her own against the other men that she is surrounded by.

For a majority of the novel, it appears that the stories of these three protagonists are separate, instead of dropping a lot of obvious clues as to how they are all linked, Gwynne allows the reader time to get to know each of the characters and their situations before starting to, sparingly, drop subtle clues as to how their lives intertwine. I really enjoyed this approach to the novel as it did a brilliant job of building the world and introducing the lore that has shaped the world that the characters are living and fighting in. Not only this, but by spending a lot of time crafting the characters and getting the reader invested in their lives, is a fantastic way to begin a new series. Of course, I am excited to see what happens to the characters and the world (especially after that ending), however, I’m equally as excited just to spend more time with the characters and within this world.

There’s so much more I would love to say about this novel (especially on the Norse mythology front), however, I fear that this review will then become as long as the book itself if I didn’t get a hold of myself! To put it simply: this is a must-read for any fantasy fan, whether you have read Gwynne before or not, this is a world that will completely captivate you and one that will leave you both desperate and eager for more.

5 stars

This is the first book by John Gwynne that I've read and it certainly won't be the last. I was originally interested in it from the description that it was norse-inspired and I was absolutely not disappointed.
Each of the 3 main characters we follow in The Shadow of the Gods has their unique characteristics and storylines that make them interesting, whilst also giving the reader a fuller understanding of the world that has been created. Multiple POVs is something I am usually sceptical about when reading as there can often be a character that you don't find interesting and don't enjoy their chapters but that definitely isn't the case here.
I loved the world-building and lore in this book - the descriptive writing really set the scene of the world and I am already looking forward to seeing what happens next!