The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga)

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You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. The world of Vigrið is a thrilling dark fantasy setting, filled with all manner of dangerous monsters, dead gods and roving warbands, all of which proves to be an amazing backdrop to the overall story. Maybe I'm a little biased when it comes to John Gwynne but I honestly couldn't find anything wrong with this book. The Tainted – descendants of the gods’ children – are kept as slaves in thrall collars, sold to the highest bidder as symbols of status and power.

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. The Gods are a big part of the story in this entry which made the world-building and magic systems more complex and I am here for that. The Financial Times and its journalism are subject to a self-regulation regime under the FT Editorial Code of Practice. 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. Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains.

When the high stakes competition for relics, money, and power means that you’re up against other highly-trained mercs, short of nothing but gold and morals, then it’s do or die. I ended up listening to The Shadow of the Gods’ audiobook format, which turned out to be an amazing and captivating production. This author is not afraid to take away our joy, he often chooses sadness and betrayal for characters I had grown to love, which is why an even deeper connection to the characters was created.

Each of them also has their own cast of supporting characters and enemies, many of whom are a blast to read about. At so many points I felt like I was in the video game Skyrim, which gave me an incredible atmosphere – just like this book. I can see that would help avoid the pain of betrayal, true enough, but it also stops you feeling the joy of friendship or love. There are several brutal scenes involving dead bodies, which some readers may want to avoid, and those readers who are burned out on the “dead loved ones used as motivation” trope may want to steer clear. Although his chapters were relatively less intense for the majority of the book, I think Gwynne has successfully nailed the balance of see-saw in the calm and the intense moments in Varg's POV chapters.

En los libros de John Gwynne que he leído y en los que voy a leer, seguramente, reflejan su muy marcada habilidad para retratar una realidad sombría y brutal, sin exagerar, ni empleándola sin razón. Terrible creatures from ancient sagas and legends roam the forests and mountains and are a threat to all who cannot bravely defend themselves with axe and sword. She is shown to be a very competent fighter and to really care about the opinions of those around her. The first book I have read that managed to make all the main characters grow on me and no one is less lovable or exciting than the other. I'm also a Viking re-enactor and enjoy nothing more than standing in the shield wall with my three sons, who are as passionate about swords and axes as I am (when I'm not stuck in my coat of mail; it's harder than it looks).