Synopsis:
A century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war echo across the land of Vigrið, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame, and a thrall seeking vengeance among the 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.
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.
Review:
Some might say I’m late to the party. They’d be wrong. Very wrong. I have been reading Gwynne since Malice first hit the bookshelves, and am in constant awe of his talent. So much so that I devour his work a series at a time, racing through The Faithful and The Fallen and Of Blood and Bone one after the other when nothing else can disturb me. Not work, not play. The reading all-consuming. Only the rereads can I do by individual book alone (yeah, that good).
So, I have staved off The Bloodsworn Saga because I knew it would consume me, my time, and most likely my thoughts. Now that I write my own books, something this good taking up my headspace was a little worrying. But I have discovered that combining walking and audiobooks works well for me (for mind and body) and that having such a superb series to listen to MAKES me go out, come rain, rain, rain or rain. I live in the UK – what choice do I have?
So, The Shadow of the Gods … damn, it’s brilliant. I don’t mean in the context of Gwynne’s other books; I mean within fantasy as a whole. It gripped from the first word to the last. Took you onto the deck of a longship, placed you in the shield wall wielding an axe, had you tasting the blood of your enemies or looking down upon the valley of the dead gods from a fire mountain. The mastery here is exceptional; the characters are so rounded and meaningful. You follow three paths that intertwine but do not meet, yet add layers of intrigue and understanding to a burgeoning story of the dead gods and those that wish them to rise again. The sacrifices required, the passages of self-discovery, the betrayals and loyalties that forge a people ‒ the oath-sworn shield brothers and sisters ‒ in flames of blood and battle fame.
Don’t hesitate. Don’t dither on the concept of Viking-inspired fantasy. Buy it, read it, glory in the blood, sacrifice and honour. Earn your battle fame.
As for me? Looks like I’ve got some long walks ahead.
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