The Shadow of the Gods

Paperback, 482 pages

English language

Published May 4, 2021 by Orbit.

ISBN:
978-0-316-53988-3
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Goodreads:
55277083

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4 stars (4 reviews)

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 …

3 editions

Too Much about Too Little

1 star

Too much detail about too little - that is the writing style of John Gwynne in this first book of a trilogy set in Norse mythology. I read in reviews that the last hundred pages picks up the plot, but I'll tell you that's relative statement. So little plot occurs in the first 80% of the book that you might be thankful something is finally happening, when honestly I've read better cold opens.

Yet at a superficial glance, The Shadow of the Gods should be an excellent book. It has deep worldbuilding, a massive cast of supporting characters, three mysterious main characters with unclear pasts, and has the grim atmosphere of a Norse tale. What's the problem? The details don't matter. We get a painful amount of detail, such as eye color, accessories like what necklaces they wear, and also how many weapons and on which side of the …

avatar for dactyl

rated it

5 stars

Subjects

  • Fantasy
  • Fiction