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ethapagesofwonder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
One of the standout elements of this book is the equal treatment of men and women. Gwynne ensures that both genders are on equal footing, whether in battle or decision-making, which was refreshing to see.
The action scenes are another highlight. They are brutal and relentless. Gwynne doesn’t shy away from the realities of combat, making this a book that’s not for the faint of heart. Although there are some parts of the action I found a bit flat and unsatisfying, they’re still well-executed and add to the overall atmosphere of the story.
While the world-building and action are top-notch, the pacing, however, is not consistent. The novel starts off strong, but as it progresses into the middle section, the pace slows significantly. It feels like the story drags, and there were moments when I almost considered DNFing the book. Fortunately, the pace picks up again in the last few chapters, but the slow burn might be off-putting for some readers.
The book is written from three different points of view—Orka, Varg, and Elvar. Initially, I was intrigued by all three characters, but as the story moved forward, I found myself losing interest in certain POVs. Orka quickly became my favorite character, and I was also invested in Varg’s journey as an underdog. However, I struggled to connect with Elvar’s storyline, and I found myself eager to move past her chapters.
I did find one aspect of the writing that puzzled me: Gwynne's repetitive use of the word "thought-cage". I couldn't understand why he kept repeating this word, as he could have used a simpler word like "mind" or "thought" that would have conveyed the same meaning without the repetition. Using a word twice or thrice might be acceptable, but repeating it from beginning to end can become grating and distracting.
That being said, The Shadow of the Gods is a book with a lot of strengths, especially for readers who appreciate deep world-building, gender equality, and gritty action. The Norse mythology inspiration adds a unique and captivating layer to the story, making it stand out in the epic fantasy genre. However, I found that the pacing can be slow in certain sections, particularly in the middle of the book where the narrative dragged on for too long.
Despite these issues, I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a complex and immersive fantasy world. With its rich world-building and unique mythology, The Shadow of the Gods is a great choice for fans of epic fantasy who are willing to invest time and effort into understanding the story.
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and War
shesreadingagain_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Vomit, and War
mr_trew's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
_caramelchronicles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I make a choice each and every day... I think on what I have. On what is before me. And they make my heart swell and my head giddy. There is no room left for any dwelling on the past.
Graphic: Slavery, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
joliebean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
erinjeanette's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death, Gore, Blood, and War
librarybookfamily's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, Trafficking, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, and Cursing
venomtancitaro's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
phaedruus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
vvabecca's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism