John Gwynne

The Shadow of the Gods begins a brand new Norse-inspired epic fantasy series from bestselling author John Gwynne, packed with action, magic and monsters 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 teeters on the edge of chaos. Praise for John Gwynne 'John Gwynne is one of the modern masters of heroic fantasy' Adrian Tchaikovsky 'Reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place' Robin Hobb 'John Gwynne writes fantasy with the heart of a hero and the inventiveness of a master mage' Sebastien de Castell 'Extraordinarily good . . . Gwynne is setting a new benchmark in fantasy' Giles Kristian

The Shadow of the Gods

From acclaimed fantasy author John Gwynne comes the first in the Bloodsworn trilogy, 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. After the old gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrio. Now, power-hungry jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power, promising fame and fortune for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo over the plains and across the fjords, fate follows the footsteps of three people: a huntress searching for her missing son, a jarl's daughter who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who has cast off his chains and now fights alongside the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world, as it once more teeters on the edge of chaos. For more from John Gwynne, check out: Of Blood and Bone A Time of Dread A Time of Blood A Time of Courage The Faithful and the Fallen Malice Valor Ruin Wrath

(Bre)anne✨

It is a hard thing to fight in the shield wall, where death is closer than a lover and the world condenses to the steel-fisted warrior before you: a place of snarling fury and gut-churning fear, of blood and shite and pain.

'A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic' Anthony Ryan THE GREATEST SAGAS ARE WRITTEN IN BLOOD. 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. Further praise for The Shadow of the Gods 'Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable' Jay Kristoff 'A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised characters move against a backdrop of a world stunning in its immensity. It's everything I've come to expect from a John Gwynne book' Robin Hobb 'A masterclass in storytelling . . . epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart' FanFiAddict 'Quintessential Gwynne honed to perfection . . . The Shadow of the Gods is absolutely stunning, one hell of an epic series opener and a spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy' The Tattooed Book Geek 'Reminds me of all that I love in the fantasy genre. The Shadow of the Gods is an action-packed cinematic read' Fantasy Hive

Leonie

I had no expectations headed into this but wow!! So, so many things to say but basically it just piles onto what everyone else says. I will add, however, that my rating wasn't at 5 stars (but remained very high!), but the very last page sold me. 

TW to be added later

I had no expectations headed into this but wow!! So, so many things to say but basically it just piles onto what everyone else says. I will add, however, that my rating wasn't at 5 stars (but remained very high!), but the very last page sold me. 

This review is overdue but I couldn't bring myself to finish this book. Dnf at 30%

I don't dnf often (and I really did not want to since it's an arc) but I was extremely bored and could not get pulled into the story. Might try again some other time. A glossary would have been helpful, I was totally lost but didn't feel like Googling unknown words every 2 minutes. Troll testicles were mentioned 3 times too much for my taste.

"A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic." —Anthony Ryan THE GREATEST SAGAS ARE WRITTEN IN BLOOD. 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 Vigrid, 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 vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

Catarina Silva

4.5 stars
I loved this book so much! It was very fast paced and never boring. I only took out half a star because Elvars chapters were not as exciting and addictive as Okra and Varg's chapters.
Can't wait to read the next one

Ashutosh

"As my first John Gwynne book I loved almost everything about this one, excited to read other works by him😍"

Plot: It's been a long time since gods fought murderous wars and left a residual aura, a negative one indeed filled with evil intents, betrayal and bloodshed. Their very existence saw an inevitable end leading the lands of Vigrid shattered forever. What now ensues is a tale of three people Orka - A mother in search of her stolen son, Varg - A brother in search of a witch who can help him in avenging his sister's murderer, and Elvar - a nobleman's daughter in search of herself. While these being their priorities, life gets in way and things turn out quite different then they could've imagined.

This was my first John Gwynne book and I loved every bit of it. There are some reviews mentioning that this book was nothing special and doesn't live up to the hype and I think they might've probably read other works of the author before saying that. But for me this book was something grand, it took me some pages to get comfortable with writing style yet it happened pretty quick and then I couldn't stop myself. The descriptions -that I often find somewhat boring- were very vivid and so was the world building. I can easily say that the author did a really great job at describing the sceneries and the action sequences too were amazing. 

Among the three main characters I loved Orka and her rageful attitude and the other reason being that the author presents us with the initial glimmer as to why Orka is on the edge. 

Varg gave me Jon Snow vibes as his character felt like a calm ocean and it's depths holding boundless mysteries, but things turn out way too different for him as he meets the Bloodsworn. 

I was confused a bit with Elvar at the start , like what's up with her and what's the Battle-Grim's ultimate goal, but as I reached towards the end things started making sense as a convergence of all three storylines happens. 

And in the end we're left with something that can be seen as a flicker to the fire that will most likely erupt in the upcoming books.

As the plot is inspired by Norse Mythology there are many Norse terms for boats, weapons, clothes, helm's etc, so I had to search through them, but it won't bother as much.

Overall it was a really good book as the first one to a trilogy. And I'm already excited to read John Gwynne's other books until the next Bloodworn release. 

Audiobook narration is also really good and helps in the pronunciations of the Norse words.

Do give it a read as it's just the first book a really good one if you're planning to read John Gwynne books or fantasy in general.

Happy Reading!!!! 😊

[The first part of the review is spoiler-free, the second involves spoilers]
The Shadow of the Gods is a norse-mythology inspired, high-fantasy novel and follows three main characters: a thrall, who swore a blood oath to avenge his sister, a huntress who found her peace with the man and kid she loved but finds herself leaving her small paradise and a fierce female drengr, aiming for her battlefame to build a legacy on her own. The viewpoints of these three alternate and draw you in, right from the beginning. The pace felt pretty slow to me, at first, but it picked up, up, up – up until I wasn’t able to tear my eyes away from these chapters. This is high fantasy in its’ finest form: world-building so detailed you will feel overwhelmed at some point, but you’re so intrigued to understand it, that you simply go on thinking “It’ll make sense at some point” and it does. It has to be said, that it is pretty obvious this is the first part of a series that’s aiming for more than a duology. I guess we should buckle up, because those books are going to be a ride, if this one’s an indicator. 
Anyone looking for romance in this is probably the only reader I’d advise to choose a different book. Okay, also people who have trouble with graphic descriptions of violence. Everyone else? Go read this. But maybe wait, until the sequel is out because this sets up a bigger story. 





############# SPOILERS FOLLOWING ##############

It took me a while to get a connection to these characters, all three of them fierce and strong, not yielding to their enemies or destinies and ever fighting. I adore characters like these but it was a bit like a slowburn romance for me: I needed a while to understand them, their motives and goals, their doubts and sorrows. But when I did I was a goner for all three of them. I started to really want to see them all succeed, which is rare for me, because I usually tend to like a part of the characters, but never all of them. Orka was the first to draw me in, because her strength was visible and palpable from page one. I think I wanted to like Elvar, as soon as I started reading more of her story, but it took me a little longer than the time, in which Varg had already grown on me. All three have companions, who do annoy sometimes but they became so likeable to me, that some chapters really crushed me. 
I enjoyed the main plot, though I was always wondering when and how those three storylines would collide or interweave, as well as what united those three characters with all the things dividing them. I expected it to be earlier in the story, but I’m not entirely surprised of the time it took to get to that point either, to be honest. This is a major set-up for the following books and I’m not even mad about it (except for the fact that I’ll have to wait two more months, until I’ll be able to continue this ride). 
The art of adding little stories, folklore and myths of this world into the main plot was insanely well-done and I’m absolutely here for a “Svik’s Tales”-book, if there ever were one. The side characters all have their respective, well-formed personalities and are consistent throughout the story, which is a nice thing to see and to read about. The companions of the main characters thus make a good portion of the tension and main storyline, all the while also creeping into the reader’s heart (some more than others, go Einar!).
I pride myself on being a well-read person, who is able to see through a lot of the typical author’s tricks but boy oh boy, did the betrayal in this book blindside me. I was so happy for my girl Elvar, finding her way and fun and maybe a little bit more and then boom, the utter disappointment, rage and sadness of betrayal hit. 
Okay, I’m so freaking curious about how this story evolves that I can’t wait for April and the sequel of The Shadow of the Gods. 


...There are some books that you come across as a reader that are hard to put into words. This is one of them. The plot, the characters, the world-building, the ending...I could not have asked for more. This has definately made me more interested in the author and I can't wait for the sequel to come out. 

Deborah Kerr

Is it even a John Gwynne series if a young boy doesn’t accidentally adopt a small vicious predator?

Gods, warriors, oaths, and battle! 

Just like with Malice, it takes a little bit to get into the plot but once you do it is non-stop action.

I really appreciate the narrative perspectives and the highlighting of a mother’s love as being the most violent force on Earth. 

Looking forward to the rest of the series!

Blayke 

𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒕, 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈 𝒖𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆-𝒇𝒐𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕.

𝐸𝑁/𝐹𝑅

If like me you dream of norse mythology inspired stories, Vikings, battles, magic, dragons, quests and brotherhood. HERE YOU HAVE IT. 
John Gwynne brings on a silver plate a fantastical and epic world, from the slow but thrilling construction to fascinating climax. 
A round of applause also for Marcus Whinney (you can find his portfolio here: https://www.artstation.com/marcus_lw), the dusk jacket’s illustrator who made a work as impressive as the dragons in this volume. 

Insatiable thirsty for books on mythology and folklore other than Greek, and unconditionally in love with dragons, The Shadow of The Gods had already much to please me if only with its cover. 
But the real magic, the one that makes you laugh and cry, the one that asks for another chapter, is between its pages.
In a world where Gods inspired by Nordic mythology, fought and fell, men continue to exist. Living in their remains, both their bones and among those who, although treated as slaves, still carry their powers, each one tries to survive and lead a life proper to its values.
Varga, a former slave who joined the famous Bloodsworn band for the sole purpose of avenging one day his sister, Elvar, a once-noble young woman who now seeks only to enter the legends by her own means, to mark them with red iron and forever by her battle-fame as a warrior. 
And Orka, a huntress and mother who is forced to take up arms when her son is taken away. 
Their paths, so different, are gradually going in the same direction as events unfold and a new page in History is turned.
I can’t put it more simply than this: I loved everything. 
Everything. From the worldbuilding to the narrative itself, the different points of view, the details and revelations, the end. 
It’s purely and simply impossible for me to find an element to review, to change. 
The beginning was slow, of course, but It didn’t bother me because I discovered a whole new universe, new terms and another culture. 
A slight warning must be considered before you start reading or even buying this book; the level of English is complicated. 
If It isn’t your mother language, IT may slow you down, as in addition It mingles with some words in Norwegian or Swedish, I don’t really know myself.



Si comme moi vous rêvez d’une histoire de mythologie nordique, de vikings, de combats, de magie, de dragons, de quêtes et de fraternité. HERE YOU HAVE IT. 
John Gwynne sert sur un plateau d’argent un monde et une épopée absolument fantastique, à la construction lente mais haletante pour mener à une apogée fascinante. 
Une salve d'applaudissements également pour Marcus Whinney ( son portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/marcus_lw), l’illustrateur de la couverture qui a effectué un travail à la hauteur des dragons de ce roman, monstrueux. 

Assoiffée insatiable de livres sur les mythologies et folklore autre que grecque, et amoureuse inconditionnelle des dragons, The Shadow of The Gods avait déjà beaucoup pour me plaire ne serait-ce que par sa couverture. 
Mais la vraie magie, celle qui fait rire et pleurer, celle qui demande un chapitre de plus, est entre ses pages. 

Dans un monde où les Dieux inspirés de la mythologie nordique, ont combattu et sont tombés, les Hommes continuent d’exister. 
Vivant dans leurs restes, tant leurs ossements que parmi ceux qui, bien que traités comme des esclaves, portent encore leurs pouvoirs, chacun tente de survivre et de mener une vie propre à ses valeurs. 

Varga, un ancien esclave ayant rejoint la célèbre bande des Bloodsworn dans l’unique but de venger un jour sa sœur, Elvar, une jeune femme autrefois noble qui ne cherche maintenant plus qu’à entrer dans les légendes par ses propres moyens, afin de les marquer au fer rouge et à jamais de par sa gloire de guerrière. Et Orka, une chasseresse et mère qui se voit contrainte de reprendre les armes quand on lui enlève son fils. 

Ses chemins, si différents, vont petit à petit prendre la même direction alors que les évènements s’enchaînent et qu’une nouvelle page de leur Histoire se tourne. 

Je ne peux pas le dire plus simplement qu’ainsi : J’ai tout aimé. 
Tout. Du worldbuilding au récit en lui-même, les différents points de vue, les détails et révélations, la fin. 
Il m’est purement et simplement impossible de trouver un élément à revoir, qui n’a pas sa place. 
Le début était lent, certes, mais cela ne m’a pas dérangé car je découvrais un tout nouvel univers, des nouveaux termes et une autre culture. 

Un léger avertissement doit cependant être pris en compte avant de commencer votre lecture ou même d’acheter ce livre ; le niveau d’anglais est compliqué. 
Si ce n’est pas votre langue natale cela risque de vous freiner, en ce qu’il se mêle en plus à certains mots en norvégien ou suédois, je ne sais pas réellement moi-même. 



Samantha Paris

Amazing!! Everything I want in a fantasy! Norse inspired world and gods, dragons, exciting characters and plot! Loved it! 

Ashley Hernandez

Joanna Laxon

Zach Spencer

Luke Harkness

Mitch Stewart

C. J. Daley 

Jessica Coburn

Set in a Norse-inspired world and packed with myth, magic, and vengeance, this second book in John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn trilogy is the next chapter an epic saga that follows a band of warriors as they face the wrath of ancient gods and change the shape of the world. Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest. As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own – and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance. Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god. Their hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead . . .and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth. Praise for The Shadow of the Gods “There is not a dull chapter in this fantasy epic.” —Vulture (Best of the Year) "A satisfying and riveting read. It’s everything I’ve come to expect from a John Gwynne book." —Robin Hobb "A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic." —Anthony Ryan "A masterclass in storytelling . . . epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart." —FanFiAddict For more from John Gwynne, check out: The Bloodsworn Trilogy The Shadow of the Gods Of Blood and Bone A Time of Dread A Time of Blood A Time of Courage The Faithful and the Fallen Malice Valor Ruin Wrath

The Hunger of the Gods

Simon Lund Larsen

Sarah Hudson

The Hunger of the Gods continues John Gwynne's acclaimed Norse-inspired epic fantasy series, packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest. As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own - and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance. Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god. Their hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead . . . and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth. Praise for The Bloodsworn series: 'A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic' Anthony Ryan 'Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable' Jay Kristoff 'A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised characters move against a backdrop of a world stunning in its immensity. It's everything I've come to expect from a John Gwynne book' Robin Hobb

The Shadow of the Gods

Reviews

Highlights