the shadow of the gods the bloodsworn saga

Orka’s history is singularly mysterious and murky for the reader, with glimpses and threads revealed through the choices and words of this grim, brutal woman.

A woman of quiet, burning fury, Orka leaves with a singular goal, seeking revenge for her murdered husband and to save her son, stopping at nothing to rescue him from his captors. Orka is a retired warrior content to live a simple life until she returns home to find her husband murdered and her son taken. His quest to avenge his sister drives him, but through the story, he learns there is more to him than just vengeance, that he perhap has more to live for. Vard’s story is that of finding brotherhood, a place where he is welcomed, not just useful in order to later be discarded. Vard is a former thrall who fled to avenge the death of his sister, fighting for a place within the Bloodsworn, an elite warband with a bloody reputation. Not satisfied with being given anything, only proving herself and earning her battle-fame will be enough to satisfy the young warrior. Shadowed by her hulking protector Grend, Elvar is keen to distinguish herself. Elvar is a warrior earning her way as a member of the Battle-Grim, a warband notorious for hunting Tainted, those that carry the blood of the dead gods in their veins, granting them great and terrible powers. The Shadow of the Gods follows three characters in their journeys across Vigrið. Drawing inspiration from Norse mythology and culture, John Gwynne has crafted a deep and harsh world filled with terrifying monsters and stouthearted men and women alike, struggling to live after the great conflict left the gods dead and the world far more dangerous as a result. It weaves elements of storytelling that I first loved in Tolkien’s Middle Earth, the mythology of Beowulf, and a wonder that filled the Aruthurian legends. Having just come from several book series where the style of “modern fantasy” was very apparent, it was surprisingly refreshing for The Shadow of the Gods to be the perfect blend of modern and classic fantasy. I then learned about John Gwynne as an author and read the synopsis for the book, and beyond intrigued, I was excited to see that the sequel was about to be released. Scrolling through social media and it was enough to make me look a little deeper. As surprising as it may seem, the thing that made The Shadow of the Gods first catch my eye was the cover art.

The shadow of the gods the bloodsworn saga