Synopsis
Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.
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 . . .
Review
Swing Swing, Chop Chop goes the Seax and Axe. Damn that was grimalicious and bloody. I absolutely knew from the get-go that this was going to be bloody awesome. A master of his craftsmanship, John Gwynne, has created another epic world of dread and brutality, and I’m all here for it to get lost in the pages of his literary brilliance.
The Shadow Of The Gods is the first book in his newest epic series. The Bloodsworn Saga. By all the Norse Gods themselves, if you haven’t started this series yet, then you need to remedy your tbr pile and bump it to the top. I don’t know why I waited so long to read it myself, but after the release of the third book, it was calling from my book shelf to be devoured and damn did I.
This book has it all. The worldbuilding and setting are sublime. Its so gripping, compelling, and intense that it hooks you with its blood curdling scenes, its fast-paced, action-packed, and the shield wall battles are truly brilliant. I just absolutely love John Gwynnes storytelling. The way he can pull you with his delicious prose and damn does he create amazing characters, whether you love them or you hate them.
This book blurs between the lines of Nordic mythology and fantasy. The story is broken down into three main protagonists, Orka, Varg, and Elvar, who are all on their own journey that begins to link together towards the end. Orka is my absolute favourite of the three. She is so bloody bad ass with her Seax and Axe. If you love mythical creatures, blood tainted warriors, club wielding Ogres and and giant iced venomous spiders, then this my fellow fantasy lovers, this is for you.
In this tale Orka is on revenge mission when her son is kidnapped bringing death and destruction to those who get in her way of finding him. Varg is on the run for murder. When his pursuers finally catch up to him, the legendary Bloodsworn step in to save his hide. To become one of them he must prove himself worthy and training hard to become one of the legendary warriors.
Elvar has become a renown warrior in her own right, trained by the mighty Grend. Her father wants her to take her rightful place as a Yarls daughter. But she has set her sights on writing her own story and being written into the legendary sagas. When her fellow band of warriors the Battle Grim set out to find the a mythical land of Oskutred told in the stories of dead gods and riches. A God dwells there and if loosed back into the land of Vigrid a war like no other seen in a century will bring death and destruction.
If you haven’t read John Gwynnes other epics series The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone and now The Bloodsworn Saga, I very highly recommend that you do, you won’t regret it, Skall…😁🍻🗡⚔️🏹🛡🪓
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