The Shadow of the Gods

Title: The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn saga #1)

Author: John Gwynne

Published in: 2021

Date read: 18th May 2025

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Shadow of the Gods," published in 2021, is the first book in John Gwynne's epic fantasy series, The Bloodsworn Saga. The novel introduces a grim, brutal, and richly imagined world inspired by Norse mythology, focusing on the lives of three distinct characters whose fates are destined to collide.

The story is set in the land of Vigrið, a place where a cataclysmic war between the gods has left their bodies strewn across the land, their power long since faded. Their monstrous remains are now hunted by humans, and a new age of mortals has risen, one defined by violence, survival, and ancient blood feuds.

The narrative follows three main point-of-view characters:

Orka: A fierce, stoic, and seemingly ordinary warrior and mother. She has chosen a quiet life, raising her son and tending to her small farm. However, when her son is kidnapped by slavers, she unleashes the terrifying skills and bloodlust of her past, embarking on a brutal and relentless quest for revenge.

Varg: A young man who has been a slave his entire life. When he finally escapes, he seeks out the legendary warrior band known as the Bloodsworn, hoping to earn a place among them. He is driven by a singular, obsessive quest for revenge for a deeply personal tragedy.

Elvar: A driven and ambitious young warrior who is also a member of the Bloodsworn. She is on a mission to prove herself and find a purpose, seeking fame and fortune by hunting the remnants of the dead gods.

As the three characters' paths unfold, Gwynne expertly builds a world full of unique creatures, warring clans, and a pervasive sense of dread. The central mystery of the novel is tied to a prophecy of a new god rising from the ashes of the old, a figure whose return could change the world forever. All three protagonists are in some way connected to this prophecy, and their individual quests for revenge, belonging, and glory all lead them toward a singular, cataclysmic event.

"The Shadow of the Gods" is a gripping, character-driven epic that feels both raw and deeply human. It is a story of vengeance, loyalty, and the relentless struggle for survival in a world haunted by the ghosts of its gods.

Comments:
5% through and I am already enjoying it. I was worried as it has been so long since I have read anything of this genre. In fact, I have just finished Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie. They are very different indeed but I am already gripped. The only strange thing so far is that I am picturing all of the characters as if they were from “How to train your Dragon”.

I have now finished the book and when I reached the half-way point, I had to get a copy of the next one in this saga. I was not entirely sure what to expect but it was excellent. I love the way that it was written, three main characters and the chapters were rotated between them, This meant that as you came to the end of a chapter, you have to wait to find out what happened. This was not a disappointment, however, as you will have forgotten how much you needed to find out about the previous chapter endings and the other two characters. The story lead to well developed ending but there was no way that I could have predicted the connection. I have another book to read quickly then I must continue!

Books that we've read by John Gwynne (3):
The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn saga #1) (2021), The Hunger of the Gods (Bloodsworn saga #2) (2022), The Fury of the Gods (Bloodsworn saga #3) (2024)