The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga)

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En los libros de John Gwynne que he leído y en los que voy a leer, seguramente, reflejan su muy marcada habilidad para retratar una realidad sombría y brutal, sin exagerar, ni empleándola sin razón. I really loved reading the first part of the Bloodsworn Saga, The Shadow of the Gods, by John Gwynne and I’m already excited for the next instalment! So, now you’re armed with a rudimentary knowledge of some of the Norse terms in The Shadow of the Gods, it’s time to go and pick up a copy to read! Even now, even in Gwynne, I still get moments when I think to myself ‘Damn, you’re really going to let her be all that. With his latest incredible novel, the impressive John Gwynne once again shows why he is one of the leading authors of dark fantasy fiction.

During this early part of the chapter the two discuss their mutual invovlement in the Rise of the Atlantian Pantheon and how much they had both invested in that attempt. Gwynne is highly regarded fantasy author who has been making some major waves since his 2012 dark fantasy debut, Malice, the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen series. But as we all know already, none of our top favorite authors can keep a 5/5 stars track record lasting forever.

Dominic Lieven is an Honorary Fellow and an Emeritus Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the British Academy and an Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences. And just for fun, I predict the third book of the trilogy will be titled The Battle of the Gods or The War of the Gods. There is a sense of authenticity to Gwynne’s world that makes it so easy to immerse yourself in it, and sets it apart from other Norse-inspired stories. I also loved the comparisons between the Bloodsworn and the Battle-Grim, and it was interesting to see how the similarities and differences between the warbands, especially as the Battle-Grim are more concerned with wealth and reputation. Varg proves to be a really good central protagonist and readers will quickly become attracted to his resilience, natural battle prowess and deep inner tragedy.

It takes place approximately 300-years after the Gods of Vigrið fought and battled themselves to annihilation and follows three distinct point of view perspectives as they traverse Gwynne’s well-realised dark fantasy world. I loved all the characters, the battles, and the Norse-mythology world plus creatures, but having these traveling sections repeated until the end of the novel did get tiresome at times. By the end of the book, there’s a sense that the larger story is just getting started, and the shape of how everyone could come together is just beginning to form. by Daniel Roman 2 years ago The Shadow of the Godsis the first installment of John Gwynne’s new Norse-inspired fantasy saga, and it’s filled to the brim with monsters, blood, and glory.

Although his chapters were relatively less intense for the majority of the book, I think Gwynne has successfully nailed the balance of see-saw in the calm and the intense moments in Varg's POV chapters. As Varg struggles between fulfilling his oath to his sister and starting a new life, he will experience betrayal, despair, and terrible revelations.

For new readers enjoy your first time experiencing Gwynne as he is a magnificent storyteller of gritty and grim fantasy that is full of heart. Orka's character development was excellent, I enjoyed seeing another side of her and watch her learn more about herself. If you somehow haven’t seen the cover art of The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods, do it now.A dangerous conspiracy is forming in Vigrið that will shatter the very land and bring untold chaos to humanity.