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kajsaschubeler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
π The Shadow of Gods by John Gwynne
π The first installment in the Bloodsworn Saga
π Published by orbit, 2021
π 496 pages
π The Shadow of the Gods are a story weaved from three tales.
That of Elvar, a young woman looking to earn her battle-fame with the Battle-Grim.
That of Varg, a former thrall looking for a way to avenge his dead sister.
And that of Orka, whose husband, Thorkel, and son, Becca, means the world to her.
All three live in a world that bares the wounds left by the fall of the Gods. Each try to make a life for themselves β by seeking fame, revenge, or peace.
But something stirs in the mountains and the woods, and the ships travelling the whale-road aren't always as friendly as they seem.
As the actions of unknown strangers interfere in each of their lives β
Elvar and the Battle-Grim are thrown into the beginning of a saga tale as they hunt down a berserker
Varg is offered the chance of a new life with the Bloodsworn
and Orka and her families life is forever changed as children starts disappearing in the night
β and soon each of them will have to decide what matters, and what is worth fighting for.
π·οΈ John Gwynne paints a striking image of a country with great mountains, vast stretches of forrest, and an array of fjords that shape peoples lives.
It's is a cold, dark and dangerous worl to live in, but it is also a place where love has a chance to change the future of the world.
Gwynne is clearly inspired by the Nordic countries, their history and mythology, and it's a pleasure to recognise old saga-tales resting between the pages β resung and retold, shaped into something new.
π The first installment in the Bloodsworn Saga
π Published by orbit, 2021
π 496 pages
π The Shadow of the Gods are a story weaved from three tales.
That of Elvar, a young woman looking to earn her battle-fame with the Battle-Grim.
That of Varg, a former thrall looking for a way to avenge his dead sister.
And that of Orka, whose husband, Thorkel, and son, Becca, means the world to her.
All three live in a world that bares the wounds left by the fall of the Gods. Each try to make a life for themselves β by seeking fame, revenge, or peace.
But something stirs in the mountains and the woods, and the ships travelling the whale-road aren't always as friendly as they seem.
As the actions of unknown strangers interfere in each of their lives β
Elvar and the Battle-Grim are thrown into the beginning of a saga tale as they hunt down a berserker
Varg is offered the chance of a new life with the Bloodsworn
and Orka and her families life is forever changed as children starts disappearing in the night
β and soon each of them will have to decide what matters, and what is worth fighting for.
π·οΈ John Gwynne paints a striking image of a country with great mountains, vast stretches of forrest, and an array of fjords that shape peoples lives.
It's is a cold, dark and dangerous worl to live in, but it is also a place where love has a chance to change the future of the world.
Gwynne is clearly inspired by the Nordic countries, their history and mythology, and it's a pleasure to recognise old saga-tales resting between the pages β resung and retold, shaped into something new.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
plume_de_renarde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Sexual content
meowster18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a journey that I was willing to go on from page one. This was beautifully written. Entirely immersive. I felt everything from the love of Thorkiel to war of the Battle-Grime and Bloodsworn, To Orkaβs pain and rage, and lastly Vargβs and Elvar journey to discovery and Battle-Fame. A must read. The ending had me gasping and yelling βno f-ing way!β. Canβt wait to sink my teeth into the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Please look up trigger warnings for this book. It is very goreyshahdirose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Animal death
hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
sinaprst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
this was ngl one of the best fantasy books I've ever read!
the plot, the lore, the characters, the monsters, the magic, the fighting, all of it is just amazingly written and really sucks you into this beautiful and compelling but deadly world, where nothing and noone ever feels save...
... and the ending just leaves you wanting for more!
(the beginning was a bit slow though, which is the only reason why I'm not rating this 5 stars)
recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/ERW4uLhNoH8?si=9qcRSMORewkBwLev
the plot, the lore, the characters, the monsters, the magic, the fighting, all of it is just amazingly written and really sucks you into this beautiful and compelling but deadly world, where nothing and noone ever feels save...
... and the ending just leaves you wanting for more!
(the beginning was a bit slow though, which is the only reason why I'm not rating this 5 stars)
recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/ERW4uLhNoH8?si=9qcRSMORewkBwLev
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Torture, and Kidnapping
theo221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Grief
changelingreader_adrian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Was a temporary DNF because it wasn't catching me and I had other stuff I needed/wanted to get to, but I liked this enough to pick it back up once a hold on an audiobook I forgot I placed came in. Very slow for like the first half-ish and then got really going and good. So. Medium pace is the best I can give it since it's slow and then pretty fast
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Testicles and descriptions of them are a bit weirdly there, so be prepared for thatsaltycoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Classism
andy_sfc_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
This was my first incursion into Norse inspired epic fantasy books and I have to say I am throughly impressed. From the descriptions of nature, the world building, and amazing characters Gwynne's writing has me gripped and I can't wait to continue with the saga.
The best story arc for me is definitely Orka's. She's such an interesting combination of savagery, fierceness and femininity.
Varg grew up on me as the story progressed and I can't wait to see where the author takes him. Nevertheless, the bright gems in his chapters for me were the secondary characters such as Svik Rokia, Glornir and the rest of them so, I'm excited to see what's next for them
The only reason why this does not get 5 stars is Elvar.
Compared to the other two her motivation as a character and as a warrior was so "basic"
Although TIl recognise that
in the end she has now bigger and tougher challenges to overcome and wrongs to avenge. Over all her storyline was boring to me. If it weren't for all of the magical and political aspects going on around her I would have skipped some of her chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War