"Shadow of the Gods" by John Gwynne is a masterfully crafted Norse-inspired fantasy, packed with brutal battles, compelling characters, and intricate world-building. Gwynne weaves a tale of vengeance, power, and ancient gods, creating an immersive story that leaves readers craving more. I cannot wait to continue on with the series!

This was my first try with the author, and I loved it! From all the POVs, only one from Elvar, I struggled because I could not connect with that part of the story. Now, I love Orka and Varg so much, especially Orka, who is such an icon! I can see why many people may not enjoy this one as much since it lays a lot of foundation for the rest of the series, introducing the world and characters, and the actual plot and action are a bit second place in my opinion, but I loved it nevertheless because it was epic! I can't wait to see where it goes from here!

The Shadow of the Gods is a great start to the epic fantasy trilogy that follows 3 characters. Orka who's been leading a content life with his husband and son faces a tragedy that makes her seek revenge. Varg escapes his enslavement to find his sister's killer and joins the Bloodsworn not knowing who they are or what they do but a way to get some answers. Then there's Elvar, a member of battlegrim capture anything and anyone valuable to sell for a price. They all go on different journeys, facing hardships, forming friendships, bearing losses and forging themselves for something greater, something deadly.
I loved all 3 characters who show their strength and weakness throughout their journey and not being perfect who win some and lose some. The world is huge with so many magical beings and species with hierarchy and discrimination. All the characters travel can be visualised using the map. There are Norse terminologies used to describe certain things or even in sentences. There's a glossary at the end with pronounciation guide and English translations which is helpful. An amazing 1st book and I'm going to continue the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Can John Gwynne do anything badly? The answer is no.

Norse fantasy? Finally someone did it and The Shadow of the Gods is the perfect book for it.

Lost track a few times with the 100s of characters but enjoyed it nevertheless.

It’s bloodthirsty and ruthless - I loved it.

The inaugural entry into an expansive fantasy series unfolds in a world inspired by Norse mythology. The narrative is driven by three distinct perspectives – Orka, Elvar, and Varg. Varg, an underdog runaway seeking validation among the Bloodsworn mercenaries, immediately captured my admiration. Orka, a warrior mother living incognito with her family, grapples with the fear of her son's safety amidst a wave of missing children near their settlement. While I found myself drawn more to her son's storyline, the narrative gains momentum in the latter half, transforming into a series of exhilarating action sequences. Elvar, a noblewoman turned mercenary, failed to resonate with me initially, and it wasn't until the very end that a semblance of connection emerged. Despite a slow start, the second half sees a riveting turn of events, making Orka's chapters equally compelling. Although I didn't fall in love with the book like some of my peers, I enjoyed it and felt a transition from liking to almost loving it towards the end. While the conclusion left me yearning for more, it solidified my commitment to explore the sequel. Recommended for fans of epic fantasy, the story might take a while to unfold, but once it does, it transforms into an unstoppable, adrenaline-pumping, and gripping narrative. Disappointment is unlikely.

3.5 stars

Gods once ruled the land of Vigrio, but their war led to nearly all of them dying and monsters being released.
Now humans rule and fight for power, and those deemed Tainted, who have the blood of the Gods in their veins, are hunted or enslaved.
There is unease spreading throughout the land, and many lives will be forever changed by what comes next - including a former warrior who has left violence behind for a family life, a slave seeking vengeance, and a woman thirsting for a life of battle fame over a life of being a pawn living in luxury.

Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I am glad that I gave it a try.
There are three protagonists: Orka, a former warrior who had set down her axe to settle down and have a family; Varg, a slave seeking vengeance for his sister's death; and Elvar, who left behind a life of luxury to chase glory in battle.
While Orka was my favourite character, I did very much like all three of the protagonists and enjoyed reading their interactions with others, and the bonds/friendships they formed with other characters. I particularly found Elvar and Grend's relationship intriguing.
The setting of Vigrio was interesting and I thought the world-building was very good. I could definitely tell it was Norse-inspired.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout, although it did feel maybe a little bit too long for me. However, once things started to come together towards the end, it did feel satisfying after all the build-up and the ending was very good. I am intrigued to see what happens next.
I would definitely read another book by the author.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, solid read.

After struggling with a previous book by John Gwynne I wanted to give him another chance. Sadly I had similar issues here.
The pacing was slow and I kept feeling like there was nothing of interest happening.
With 3 different POVs to follow I should have had more to be invested in but instead I was only interested in 1 of the characters. If the book was more of them I may have enjoyed the story more.

After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið.

Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods . . .

This week’s review is The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne. I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but this book has a cocking great big dragon on it. In my experience that is always a good sign. Onwards then to a tale of villainous treachery, revenge, and, in one unexpected moment, an extremely inventive use for a wheel of cheese*1.

Elvar lives for her life on the road. As part of a mercenary company called The Battle Grim, she is always on the move. She craves nothing more than the opportunity to prove herself through heroic deeds. There is a contemplative side to Elvar that I really liked. Death is a warrior’s constant companion and I found learning the reasons why Elvar made her choice fascinating. There is a level of depth and introspection to the character I don’t think I was expecting, but I welcome it.

Varg’s journey is somewhat different to Elvar’s. Escaping his life as a lowly farmhand, Varg falls in with another mercenary band known as The Bloodsworn. New to the warrior life, Varg is initially uncertain he has made a wise decision but begins to find a kinship amidst the group of rowdy warriors. There is something about this group that speaks to him.

I think though that it is Orka who is the standout character for me. When we first meet her, she is living a peaceful existence with her husband and son. They keep themselves to themselves as they work the land on their lonely farmstead. A traumatic event changes all their lives, and forces Orka to revisit a part of herself that had long been buried. There is a darkness within Orka that has lain dormant for many years. In order to save her family, she needs to unleash that pent up rage. The grim determination that exudes from Orka’s character feels palpable. She is so focused, so driven she will let nothing stand in her way. Orka is like a force of nature. You get that sense of the barely contained violence, just bubbling under, that is fuelling her need for action. The moments when she finally catches up with her quarry are some of the best in the book. They are bone-crunchingly bloody and satisfying. Orka is brilliant. I think I might be a little bit in love and more than a little bit in awe.

Chapters alternate between these three characters and I enjoyed the approach. Especially when a chapter would end on a cliff hanger. The author deftly takes these seemingly disparate lives and weaves them together into an epic tale. I’ve not read any of his other novels, but based on the evidence at hand Gwynne is a first-class storyteller. The world he has created is so vivid and well-described I was immediately caught up in the narrative. I’m always impressed when an author manages to capture my attention so fully.

As an aside, in his author photograph, Mr Gywnne displays a mighty beard. As an owner of a mighty beard myself, I respect his commitment to the hirsute arts of facial topiary. Well played, sir. Well played.

You can probably already tell, but I’ll say it anyway for clarity’s sake, I really enjoyed The Shadow of the Gods. The author has taken elements from existing mythologies and reworked them into something new and exciting. I loved it. I’m all about berserkers and bear gods, dragons and the red mist of battle. Events end on a suitably climactic note and I was left wanting more. I can’t wait to see where this goes next. I’m always happy when I read an author’s work for the first time and everything just instantly clicks. I will be reading more of John Gwynne work. Of that, you can have no doubt.

The Shadow of the Gods is published by Orbit and is available now. The good news is that this won’t be the last we see of these characters as The Bloodsworn Saga is set to continue. Hell Yeah!

Regular readers of my review know this is the point where I like to pair some choice sounds with the book I’ve just read. The easy option, in this case, would be to suggest Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin on a constant loop but I went a different way. My music recommendation to accompany this novel is the soundtrack to Valhalla Rising*2 by Peter Hughes and Peter Kyed. It has an ethereal, ambient quality that fits the tone of the novel perfectly. Lots of evocative Norse type imagery. Works for me.

*1 I’m a big fan of cheese so this was a big tick in the positive column for me.

*2 I can also heartily recommend checking out the movie Valhalla Rising. The highly visual film tells the story of One Eye (Mads Mikkelsen), a mute warrior of supernatural strength, who, in the year 1000 AD, travels with the help of a boy slave a journey into the heart of darkness. Splendid stuff.

I was very intimidated by this book at first but once I got into it I was captivated. I can't wait to see where the series goes.

I will admit I was initially thrilled to get a review copy of the book but the writing wasn’t for me. I’m a beginner and this felt like expert level knowledge of Norse language was required. I had to keep googling so frequently that it put off my reading speed. The world building kept going on and one and I was waiting for the plot to begin.

Whilst this is a big epic fantasy book, once I got into it I couldn't put it down! I loved the complexity of the world and how I was learning about different aspects of Norse mythology as I went. Another classic Epic Fantasy series, I can't wait to read more.

I’be been thinking about John Gwynne’s books a lot lately.

His original series was pure heroic fantasy for me. These days, fantasy authors like to subvert tropes and sometimes are too edgy for their own good. But in his original series Gwynne showed us why the tropes are so popular, I’d not enjoyed anything so much for a long time, it felt like the kid in me that so badly wanted to be a hero was swept up on an adventure. At one point in the series I stood up, closed the book and just shouted ‘No way he did that!’ These books make me happy!

This book is the start of his new series, and the level of detail he goes into around his heavily Norse inspired tale is incredible. His knowledge is fantastic, as is the picture of him with a giant axe. The book throws a lot into the mix but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. He sticks to his usual multiple point of views and there is just so much more I want to know about this world and these characters.

He’s a master at bringing out the giddy wannabe hero side of us all and is possibly my number one fantasy recommendation for my pupils.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this book at first. The Norse element isn't really my thing and sometimes it's a bit repetitive. But as the story progressed I got into it, particularly won over by the atmosphere, and I'll definitely read the next in the series.

If you're looking for a new fantasy series to get lost in then I highly recommend picking this up!
This has everything I love in fantasy, plus I loved the inclusion of the Norse language. It's brutal and super dark in places with an incredible plot to match. Things do take a little while to pick up but stick with it as Gwynne really does know how to tell a hell of a story.
It's a fantastic start to a new series with a perfect balance of character development, world-building, and plot progression. The ending leaves you wanting more and I immediately picked up the next book in the series when I finished.
I highly highly recommend it!!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

"The Shadow of the Gods" was an amazing read: the characters were interesting, I loved the world-building, and the plot moved along at a great pace. I can't wait to read the second part in the series.

too dense and boring at times, but i understand why people love it.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an early review.

I started reading this whilst in the midst of another fantasy epic - a series of over 10 books, each nearing or over 1,000 pages long, and I wanted something new, fresh, and that would re-invigorate my love for fantasy that had been dwindling as a result of my non-stop focus on this other series.

I'm glad to say that John Gwynne's Shadow of the Gods more than succeeded in this task. The action is heart-pounding, the mythology epic, and although it did take me a while to wrap my head around the Scandinavian names, I fell in love with the characters and their quests. If you're a fan of fantasy, you simply have to give this a read.

Standard fantasy but the characters feel like they were written on what they should be than what they are. I wanted to like Gwynne but no, I didn't have any strong feelings towards any of the characters here. I don't have much luck with books inspired by Norse myths, so I should probably stop trying.

Anyway, the good bits could be worldbuilding and lore. Very fascinating.

But the plot is virtually non existant, the characters feel like caricatures and I'm not at all invested.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an e arc via Netgalley

Oh my god.

Words cannot honestly express how much I loved this book.

The world building, the characters and the plot are just unbelievable.

Even though it's a big book it never once felt like it dragged. Everything was explained so clearly that I never felt lost or confused.

Honestly just go read it

"When gods go to war, it is no small thing. The world was broken in their ruin."

Two hundred and ninety-seven years are said to have passed since that day when the gods fell, The gods all are dead, They caused a lot of harm, their greed, their jealousy, their blood feud nearly destroyed and broke the world.

The gods are hated, Worshipping the dead gods is forbidden, and punishable by death. They can never be allowed to hold power in this world again, even in the form of their Tainted children. Blood of the dead god flow in Tainted veins, they are less than animals or slaves, worthless, only good to be hunted and used.

“They call this the age of peace, because the ancient war is over and the gods are dead, but if this is peace . . .”
“This is the age of storm and murder . . .

This is not a story about peace nor the age of peace, a temporary calm before the storm, maybe at first. But most of all, this is the story of war, fight, loss, betrayal and blood, lots of it.

There are three narrators, from different places and apparently they are not related:

Varg is a slave, the thrall, he wants to pay his promise to her sister Frøya with magic, so he needs a Seiðr-witch. He is told could find one in Bloodsworn, a group of paid warriors. Varg changes his destiny by reaching to the Bloodsworn, or perhaps finds it!

Elvar is part of the Battle-Grim, they are hunters of the Tainted, and also she is the daughter of Jarl Jarl Störr, a powerful lord. But she didn't want a life that had been given, so built her path!

Orka, a mother, Breca's mother, and Thorkel's wife, is not only this, ash under the fire, the current, the course and the death.

I'm afraid if I want to say more about the story or even the world, could spoil something, So I only express my feeling, I LOVED everything on it, narration, plot and sense of humor. Just be patient, let know the GREAT characters, magical creatures and the NEW wolds, you will not regret it, this book is AMAZING with the UNIQUE writhing style, what can I say more, is fantastic, awesome, creative, f... I'm not good at expressing my feeling!

“What are you going to do?” Grend said quietly, his voice sinking into the hum of the tavern.“ I mean besides grinding your teeth to dust.”
“Don’t know,” Elvar muttered sullenly.

Undying Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley to give me a chance to read The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1) by John Gwynne, I have given my honest review. And now going for next!