The Shadow of the Gods by John GwynneCollection: The Bloodsworn Saga #1
Revealed by: Orbit on Could 6, 2021
Style: Fantasy, Historic, Mythology
Pages: 496
Supply: Bought
E book Particulars
Ranking: ★★★½
Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and filled with fable, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling creator John Gwynne.
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrid.
Now a brand new world is rising, the place power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world the place the bones of the useless gods nonetheless maintain nice energy for these courageous – or determined – sufficient to hunt them out.
Now, as whispers of warfare echo throughout the mountains and fjords, destiny follows within the footsteps of three folks: a huntress on a harmful quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the many famed mercenaries often called the Bloodsworn.
All three will form the destiny of the world because it as soon as extra falls beneath the shadow of the gods . . .
I used to be actually excited for The Shadow of the Gods as a result of I wasn’t impressed with Malice and was actually curious to see how John Gwynne has modified as a author since his debut novel.
Initially, I used to be instantly extra impressed. The writing was higher and I used to be extra within the characters.
It took hitting the midway mark to begin feeling upset. That’s once I realized that the place John Gwynne doesn’t appear to click on with me is the center of the books. That’s when issues get boring. That’s when, one way or the other, characters don’t dwell as much as their preliminary hook. They’ve attention-grabbing tales and motivations, however I lose curiosity of their actions and interactions over time. The guide by no means develops into one thing that’s “unputdownable” and even massively memorable.
Like Malice, The Shadow of the Gods felt a bit like an extended prologue. Most of this guide was spent introducing characters on the earth, and journeying to a vacation spot. Issues didn’t actually “begin” till the very finish. That’s just about how Malice felt to me as effectively. I suppose John Gwynne actually likes his lengthy, “setting the stage” first books.
Additionally, by the top, I used to be massively sick of the phrase “thought-cage”. It’s used as a substitute for “thoughts” or “head”. Like: “What’s happening in that thought-cage of yours?” Drove me nuts.
This wasn’t a foul guide; it was nonetheless significantly better than Malice. However I nonetheless don’t have that very same amazement and marvel that so many different folks appear to have. It’s a bummer, as a result of some parts are undoubtedly there. The three characters we comply with all have intriguing tales. For me, John Gwynne is simply lacking an X issue that truly makes me fall in love with them and invested of their fates.
