7.09k reviews for:

The Shadow of the Gods

John Gwynne

4.17 AVERAGE

kmack79's review

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

bsbooks's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

avinashshekhar's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

lmremoaldo's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

A book with so much world building and monotonous detail it really derails its development and interest. Two plot lines were quite similar and with so many characters it was difficult to keep track of. Orka was the only one I was invested in consistently. Vargs chapters were a slog. Elvars only became interesting in the second half.

I started to read this book and almost DNF'ed but then decided to finish it as an audiobook which was a better experience. The last third of the book it finds a better flow and is less bogged down with tedious unnecessary details. I'll try the second book of the series to see if it can keep the better pacing but it's kind of meh so far.

lksinn's review

4.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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: N/A

andrewh23's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging tense

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

pjleppo's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jenjkoenig's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

hsantaflo's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

One of the better fantasy books I’ve read in a long time!! So well written and with a cast of characters I actually liked and cared about. And a masterful, well-timed unfurling of how the stories all intertwine. Loved.

annajdavis's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes