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The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

93 reviews

kylieqrada's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I’m loving it

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ethapagesofwonder's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

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

Gwynne’s world-building is nothing short of impressive. The setting feels both vast and intimate, with desolate landscapes and ancient relics from a time when gods walked among mortals. The magic system, tied to the lingering powers of these dead gods, adds layers of intrigue and danger, making the world come alive with ominous energy.

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.

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mr_trew's review

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

With a slow start for the first 100 pages, the world is built and set for a fast paced adventure through a beautifully written cast of characters, all with fleshed our pasts that are revealed along your journey. I cannot recommend this book enough!

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_caramelchronicles's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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.

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meant2breading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

My first ever Norse mythology and John Gwynne book. Did not disappoint! While I didn’t love what happened to a couple of the characters, I understood how it was important to the larger story. How could you not root for Orka and all of her badassery? I also read this with audio and Colin Mace was an outstanding narrator!! He made me feel like I was there for every minute of each POV, including all the cheese eating (Svik is fantastic), shield walls, and absolute GORY skull crushing. Gwynne sure writes some of the best fight scenes. Looking forward to finishing the series!

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