The Shadow of the Gods (Standard Hardcover Edition) (The Bloodsworn Trilogy, 1)
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Set in a Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic, and vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne. A century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out. As whispers of war echo across the land of Vigrid, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame, and a thrall seeking vengeance among the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods. "A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic." —Anthony Ryan The Greatest Sagas Are Written in Blood For more from John Gwynne, check out: The Bloodsworn Trilogy The Shadow of the Gods The Hunger of the Gods The Fury of the Gods Of Blood and Bone A Time of Dread A Time of Blood A Time of Courage The Faithful and the Fallen Malice Valor Ruin Wrath Read more
Publisher : Orbit
Publication date : November 18, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 512 pages
ISBN-10 : 031659699X
ISBN-13 : 92
Item Weight : 1.53 pounds
Dimensions : 6.4 x 1.63 x 9.55 inches
Book 1 of 3 : The Bloodsworn Trilogy
Best Sellers Rank: #60,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Norse & Viking Myth & Legend #20 in Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy (Books) #48 in Action & Adventure Fantasy (Books)
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Paperback
Fantastic start to a trilogy. Raw and gritty Viking fantasy world with very visceral but exciting battle scenes. Three solid and engaging POV characters and with nice steady pacing and short chapters to keep you always wanting more. It has a cool backdrop of dead massive animal gods, and dark fantasy creatures like trolls, etc, but its core is based on very grounded human stories with well fleshed characters and clear motivations. An exciting and cinematic adventure, that really picks up in the second half. I immediately ordered the sequel after finishing it and have now finished the entire trilogy which was an overall fantastic read. I will note, the battle sequences are quite gory and vivid so that may not be for everyone. And also there are a lot of war bands in the book with several side characters to keep track of. I found it a bit confusing for a while but eventually got to know and love most of them by the end of it. That’s more of a small nitpick. TLDR: great start to a grounded Viking fantasy epic, with the fantasy elements playing in the background of relatable human stories. Well paced with great (albeit gory) action and battle scenes. Lots of side characters to keep track of but the core 3 are excellent.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2025 by BDeLoach
Format: Kindle
While this book, was as riveting as all his other novels, it was yet difficult to truly “enjoy;” even as brilliantly written as this is. John Gynne is a remarkable & gifted writer; he has become my favorite author & I leapt into this with excitement. This is a heavy tale though & as I read, the story itself was dark & daunting. Perhaps the pandemic unfolding made this tale feel that much more grim, sometimes even depressing. This is a tale filled with unsparing loss & sorrow. I kept looking, with some desperation, for any thread, any reason, to believe we might reach a place of inspiration, hope, or redemption. We, all & each one, read for different reasons. For me, now an old woman, I know well I long for kinder, heroic fantasy. Do not get attached to any character; this tale is not afraid to shed characters. At times, the story evoked relentless desolation. The 3 characters maintain an unknowing distance from one another. Each chapter presents one of their 3 POV's. I began to suspect the 3 characters were kept alive only to move the plots along. Many readers enjoy such a creative leap/lurch from view to view to view as each chapter not only moves always to a different character, but as well a different world as each of the 3 character inhabits a life, a journey, & a place . not seen by the other main characters. I admire your patience if your taste runs so; I was already gloomy at the various plot outcomes & wearied as the separate tales of the 3 maIn characters seemed somehow hollow. It seemed another loss; to endure these three operating in worlds ignorant of the others' existence. Also, the three tales bounce between long, passive descriptions, then abruptly jump into gore, savagery, & death. Perhaps reading straight thru in one night ( yes, a tribute to Mr. Gwynne skills), left me a bit broken myself as I made my way to the end. We meet the leads, Orka, then Varg, and Elgar without any of their respective backstories. We stumble through hints of each one’s past. Their secret wounds, their motivations, fears, & dreams, are cryptic. While no one enjoys reading through a long backstory narrative, Shadow of the Gods hides so much, it becomes frustrating. A minor point next but also distracting is the endless use of the term “Thought Cage” as the only word choice for thinking, mind, or one’s brain. As if every disparate character, alive in 3 unique places-settings not seen by the other characters…yet apparently all have learned only this solitary term- reading, rereading the expression “Thought Cage” began to make me flinch. It lifted me out of the tale as I muttered “Really? Again? Has no one, in all of the worlds we read through, tried another term to express the brain, thinking, etc? Will we be hammered with “Thought-Cage through each book in this series?” The English language, I learned, leaned heavily on old Nordic or Viking language. So many similarities between these languages. I was surprised to discover for myself how very many words connect; Viking/ Nordic to the younger English terms such as traust- trust, oddi-odd, Porsdagr/ Thor’sDay- Thursday. Knifr - knife, etc. In the worlds of our 3 main characters, however, we have are granted only one reference to represent thinking, pondering, brain, or mind. ALWAYS referenced ONLY AS “Thought Cage.” Trivial? Yup, label this whining but the endless repeats of “Thought Cage” yanked me out of the tale time & again. The story starts grimly & the tone remains steadfastly dour & grievous. After the sorrowful end of the final book in Mr. Gwynne’s series "Of Blood and Bone," (A Time of Blood,) I found myself on guard within the first few pages of "Shadow of the Gods." That anxiety proved appropriate. The despair and losses in this book may foretell the pattern of this new series. Maybe not. John Gwynne is an astonishing storyteller, but he has also shown no hesitation to bring grief once again. In this book now, we see hope burn into despair. This author is unafraid to snatch away gladness; frequently choosing grief & betrayal for characters I had begun to love. Perhaps my jumpiness will be unwarranted in what is to come but the author's willingness to end A Time of Blood in such a mournful way, had me leery as I now read this violent tale. Mr. Gwynne is the author & of course he gets to tell the tale. I am just a fretful old woman with yet endless admiration for this writer. Even when we become attached only to lose another fictional soul to tragedy and death. He needn't cater to Happy Ending freaks like me. I just prefer books I can read again & again; such is his talent. Alas, that means only his first trilogy, "The Faithful and the Fallen" is enjoyable a second & third time. I will, of course gratefully read on in this newest series. I strongly encourage you to read this newest series; apologies if you too suddenly become gloomy. Hoping against hope his storyline might conclude with less wreckage & betrayal. Other readers, more hearty than myself, will manage fictional calamity and chuckle at someone who becomes bereaved over an imaginary character. I find myself believing the characters & becoming invested in the characters Mr. Gwynne animates so profoundly.. You may be partial to lots of battle scenes (then you are in luck!) & less dependent on how it all plays out. He favors realism, logic, motivation; his values are there in every one of his plots. He clearly avoids the Happy Ever After Club; my personal club membership too trivial to even scoff over. I highly recommend this book, well worth the anguish & pain. We fans of Mr. Gynne know to support one another as we go!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021 by CrankyOldWoman
Format: Kindle
5/5! ✨✨✨✨✨ ✦ <b>I <i>finally</i> dove into the world of John Gwynne</b>, and I was <u>far</u> from disappointed. This Norse-inspired world is everything a long-time Skyrim fan could ever want. It took me a while to get through this book, and the glossary was certainly my best friend, but it was so worth it. ✦ We get to read from <b>three point of views</b>: Orka, Varg and Elvar. I am <i>always</i> hesitant with multiple POV books because if I don't connect with one character, I feel like it ruins part of the book for me. I don't think there was a single character I didn't enjoy. <blockquote><i>“Leave it, Breca. It is nature’s way. This is a red world of tooth and claw. The bird eats the mouse, the cat eats the bird, the wolf eats the cat, and so on. You cannot change this.” </i></blockquote> ₊⊹ <b>Orka</b> is a vicious character, absolutely powerful and so well written. She was definitely my favorite of the three. In the beginning she suffers something tragic, and sets off to seek revenge. She has a tough exterior, is a fearsome warrior, but still compassionate and dedicated. As a fellow mom, I felt her fire. <blockquote><i>“Remember, we are Bloodsworn, bound to one another. Stand or fall, we are sworn to each other. That is our strength.</i>"</blockquote> ₊⊹ <b>Varg</b> was a fun one to follow. Looking for answers in his sisters death, he goes in search of a Seiðr-witch to aid him, only to find himself joining the <b>Bloodsworn.</b> I found his story to be the most humorous, and loved seeing his growth throughout the book. <b>Found family at it's finest.</b> The Bloodsworn are such a great group of characters. <blockquote><i>“You are a stubborn mule,” Elvar said. “Life is for the living, happiness for the taking.”</i></blockquote> ₊⊹ <b>Elvar</b> was tough for me to follow in the beginning, mostly because we don't see a motivation for her or anything that really 'ignited' her emotions. That most certainly picks up in the second half though, and I was<b> definitely</b> invested. Another bad ass female lead, who proves her way time and time again. <blockquote><i>“You really do like cheese, don’t you?” Varg observed. “Cheese saved my life,” Svik said.</i></blockquote> <b>My soulmate.</b> I love all these characters. The story that follows this quote has to be my favorite part. ✦ <b>The world building and epic battles were so good.</b><i>They were SO good</i></b>. Every small detail describing the characters, their attire, weapons, the world around them, the monsters they fought....was amazing. It was so easy to just get lost in this book. You can see the dedication put into making this intense, Norse-inspired novel, and it is oh so appreciated. <b>Honestly though, I wouldn't mind being swept away into this terrifying, majestic world.</b> <blockquote><i>The hall began to fill, men and women entering, all setting their shields and spears around the halls’ outskirts and taking their places on the mead benches as thralls were filling the long tables with food and drink: bowls of creamy skyr yoghurt and curds, pots of honey. Boards were full of dried and smoked sliced mutton, trenchers of rabbit and beef, slabs of whale meat and barrels of horsemeat floating in whey. Fresh-baked bread, still hot from the ovens. Dried cod, pungent and salty. Herring fermented in brine, blood pudding, cauldrons of stew glistening with fat and bobbing with carrots, parsnips and onion, and horns of warm mead spiced with juniper to wash it all down.<i></blockquote> <b>This just makes me want to dive in and never come back.</b> ✦ I knew I'd probably love this based off it's description, but I didn't expect to love it <i>that</i> much. I am very excited to continue this series, as well as read other works by John Gwynne. This can easily be put on my list of favorite reads of the year.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2024 by Theresa
I just finished this book today and I absolutely loved it all the way through. Before I started reading, I saw some threads online about the book building "slowly" which in a sense is true, BUT it builds the plot VERY WELL with excellent pacing of putting the foot on the gas and then easing up for a bit. I loved it! I'm starting the second book tomorrow. If you like something that has different pov's, unanticipated action moments, and mythological mystery...this is it!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026 by Ryan
Format: Kindle
To begin, I loved the world building and the complexity of this story. It was captivating and I was really looking forward to the Norse mythology to mix with it. However, I often found that this book felt dense and overwhelming, and often I felt as though even the author got bored and didn’t care. But in the same breath, the premise was fun to me and maybe I’ll try this book another time when I’m in a different reading mood.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2026 by Allie
Format: Kindle
This book was amazing! The action was written so perfectly, the worldbuilding was written into the story in a way that draws you in really effectively! The twist with Ilksa is also well set up, with her willingly turning a blind eye to the kidnappings, and even the slaver trading stops spread throughout the areas she goes to. All leading up to Lif Raka, the infamous last living God, being released into the world once more. Lif Raka is such an interesting character already! I love how torn she acts between seeking to regain her control over the world and how she genuinely cares for her children. I can't wait to see how her character develops throughout the books! Speaking of characters, the way all the protagonists are super well written! Orka has such a well written and emotional story, and her determination to find her son after he gets kidnapped is so well written and endearing. Her relationship with Mord and Lif is so well done, and the book ends with her story in such a tragic spot. I hope her storyline is able to finish in a good way with the next book! Varg's twist is set up really well throughout the book, with how he shows signs of being tainted early on that slowly build up until it's revealed he's tainted right alongside the rest of the bloodsworn. The way he and Orka meet up in the end is executed really well, and puts them in believable places at the end of the story. Elvar is by far the least compelling of the protagonists. Her story isn't super emotional, and while her past is interesting the rest of her character doesn't match. She was only fighting for fame and glory, and her indifference towards/dislike of the thralls makes her pov a lot less enjoyable. Luckily the writing style is so good her pov chapters are still interesting, but the rest of the protagonists are leagues more enjoyable than she is!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2024 by Kindle Customer
Format: Kindle
So this is my first book from this author and I wasn't too sure what to expect. I knew it was epic fantasy of course and I saw the dragon on the cover so that was about the limit of my knowledge. I did read the sample chapters before downloading the whole book so I had a brief idea about the story then. First of all I will say this story is very dark. There is nothing happy in here at all. It's death, kidnapping, quests for revenge, warriors chasing after glory so they can become famous in saga-tales. There are tons of violent fights with swords, axes, spears and all sorts of weapons. Many of these warriors travel in groups or warbands. Their are kings and others in power. And there are dead gods. Or stories about these dead gods. These gods take different forms like a dragon, wolf, badger or other various creatures. And some people are descendants of these gods and are called the Tainted. Many see these Tainted as lesser but they do have a few abilities. They certainly can rage during a fight... There are a ton of characters too. The story follows three separate groups of characters. And I handled this by writing down their names, especially since they have unusual names. They are Orka who is searching for her son Breka, Elvar who is a female warrior with the Battle Grim and finally there is Varg who ended up traveling with the Bloodsworn. Out of these three main characters my favorite was definitely Varg. I could relate to him the most mainly because he was very uncertain about things and he struggled to fit in with his new brothers. He wasn't used to having any friends or people he could count on as he is a former slave. Very has his own mission he wants to accomplish but since he got mixed up with this group of warriors his own mission is put on hold and then he gets confused: what should he do? I also really loved Spert and Vesli who are two very loyal creatures. They have small roles. There is also a mystery that runs throughout the story. Who is killing poor people and snatching kids? Why?? Many of the characters rely on this for forward plot movement. So what did I think about the plot? I will say its not a page turner. There are tons of battles but I did not find it exciting. I really didn't notice a climax although there is a big event at the end. I should specify that I didn't FEEL a climax. Mentally I knew a big world changing thing had just happened. But while reading this I have been pretty numb. flat if you will. And I think that is because the story is so very dark with these wars \ fighting. And I do feel war is the correct term even though an official war is not on yet. Truthfully at the moment I don't know if I want to read the sequel. I am not too sure where this is going. And although there is a dragon on the cover this is NOT a dragon story. Not in my opinion. I am ok with both dragons being in partnership with humans like in The Dragonriders of Pern and with them burning towns as the enemy as in Reign of Fire or Dragonslayer (who remembers Vermathrax?) but the stories should contain a dragon... There is very little magic in here, which is OK... Every book doesn't need to have wizards doing high sorcery... It IS a well put together story. Its very well planned. With huge backgrounds and all. I think its the bleakness that I feel uncertain about. And I am unsure where this plot is going? I can tell you for a fact what happened on the end was not good. At all. Of course I may just read the second book... I think I need time to digest this one. But I would probably rate this a 3.5? Maybe a solid 4 because of the great world building. But it seems to be more fighting than anything else. It's very grim. And the majority of the characters I don't relate to or even finding myself caring about them. I guess I really don't like grim stories. And as for Lik-Rifa I don't like what she did to that pony. I also admit I have a problem grasping the size of the dragon on the book cover in relation to the man. It's very difficult to wrap my head around that. It's unfathomable.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024 by Sarah B
Format: Kindle
John Gwynne has crafted a masterpiece of epic fantasy in The Shadow of the Gods. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into its fantastically immersive world-building, inspired by Norse mythology. The lands of Vigrid feel alive with history, danger, and mystery, making every setting feel vivid and real. The novel unfolds through multiple POVs, which took a little getting used to but ultimately added depth to the storytelling. Each perspective offers a unique glimpse into the world, and as I grew more familiar with the characters, I became deeply invested in their journeys. Speaking of characters, the character development is beautifully done. Orka, Varg, and Elvar each have distinct personalities, motivations, and emotional depth that make them feel like real people rather than just players in a grand tale. Their arcs are compelling, and I found myself caring about their struggles, triumphs, and losses. The battle scenes are gripping, brutal, and cinematic. Gwynne has a talent for writing combat that is both visceral and emotionally charged, making every fight feel meaningful. The magic system is intriguing, woven seamlessly into the lore of the fallen gods and their lingering power. It adds an element of mystery and danger that enhances the overall narrative. The storyline kept me interested at every step. There were no dull moments—just an ever-building sense of anticipation and discovery. Every twist and revelation pushed me further into the book, making it impossible to put down. Without a doubt, I’ll be grabbing the next book in the series. If you love epic fantasy with rich world-building, unforgettable characters, and breathtaking action, The Shadow of the Gods is an absolute must-read!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2025 by Jarenoir