7.09k reviews for:

The Shadow of the Gods

John Gwynne

4.17 AVERAGE

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
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.
adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging dark funny inspiring tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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: Complicated

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It is the best epic fantasy I've read since LOTR. I'm a sucker for multiple perspectives and the fact they all line up over and over again gets me everytime. A lot of my friends don't like these kinds of books but if anyone ever asks me I will 1000000% be recommending this series. I can not wait for the next book, I put it on hold at less than halfway through this one. 

natalbee's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 30%

I give up. 30% took me forever because I just didn’t want to pick the book up. I didn’t really like the writing style, felt impersonal and a bit unrefined to be honest. And the thought processes in italics did my head in

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Yes yes, I know I’m late to the party with starting this series as it’s all I’ve seen on my grid for months, but here we go!!

This is a brutal, blood-soaked Norse-inspired epic read that hits hard from the first page. Orka is an absolute force—hard as nails, badass to the bone, and unforgettable. The three-way POV adds serious depth, weaving a rich, layered story full of grit, vengeance, and myth. Each character is sharply drawn, with their own distinct voice and purpose. And the end has me itching at the bit to get my hands on the next book… like immediately!

I am blood. I am death. I am vengeance.