Published: May 2021
Pages: 480
Summary
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 . . .
My thoughts
I loved this book. From the very first chapter I was immersed in this dangerous world, brimming with politics and fantastic characters.
The world-building is brilliant in scope and detail, it reminded me a lot of playing Witcher 3; the large plains, the villages, the wilderness… But layer on top intricate cultures and a mythology that feels both ancient yet unique. There is also deep politics at play, different players in the game all with their own ambitions.
The characters are the heart and soul of this novel. Gwynne brings a cast of diverse and compelling individuals to life, each with their own motivations, flaws, and strengths. From the fierce and determined warriors to the cunning and ambitious politicians, every character feels real and relatable.
This book has one of the best written female main characters I’ve read in a very long time. Orka is strong, resilient and fierce. Reading her story unfold was gut wrenching, I have never been so invested in a character before. I felt like my own heart and mind was with her on her journey which meant putting this book down was incredibly difficult. Gwynne writes Orka so very well and I saw parts of myself in her. He somehow captured her mother’s instinct, human nature and troubled past and put it all together brilliantly. I really want to see how her journey shapes her, and where it leads.
“I am Blood. I am Death. I am Vengeance.”
I am also a sucker for mystical creatures that help along the way, as well as another unique magic system. I tend to side with the underdog most of the time (what does that say about me?) but with so much left unanswered, there isn’t a clear right or wrong just now, so I may be swayed.
However, this plot is heavy, and it’s filled with action, adventure, and heartache. Multiple storylines are woven together to bring this story to life, which kept me constantly engaged and guessing what will happen next. I found the pacing perfect, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter moments of character development and world-building.
But there are difficult themes in this book which affected me at times. Missing children, slavery, abuse, cruelty.. if you do have triggers I’d strongly advise you look up a full list beforehand just in case. Saying that, this is not a book that adds cruelty just for cruelty sake. What we see happen all plays into the bigger plot. People are behaving in character, and the reader comes to understand why and how certain scenarios play out the way they do.
“If I have learned anything from my travels,” Agnar said, “it is that there is much in this world that I do not know or understand. Just because I have not seen a thing does not mean it is not out there.”
Would I recommend?
I wholeheartedly recommend “The Shadow of Gods” to anyone who loves epic fantasy. It is a book that deserves all the praise it has received and I can’t wait to read the rest of this trilogy. (It’s a completed trilogy by the way!)