Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

53 reviews

i_write_on_occasion's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Interesting worldbuilding with a lot of potential, but is unfortunately pulled down by its lack-luster characters

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, and Slavery

hailstormreviews's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore and Violence

Moderate: Kidnapping

meowster18's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book was a journey that I was willing to go on from page one. This was beautifully written. Entirely immersive. I felt everything from the love of Thorkiel to war of the Battle-Grime and Bloodsworn, To Orka’s pain and rage, and lastly Varg’s and Elvar journey to discovery and Battle-Fame. A must read. The ending had me gasping and yelling “no f-ing way!”. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, War, Alcohol, Cursing, Kidnapping, Grief, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Body horror

Please look up trigger warnings for this book. It is very gorey

shahdirose's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Grief, Slavery, and Kidnapping

Minor: Animal death

hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Slavery, Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Gore, Blood, Genocide, and War

sinaprst's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

this was ngl one of the best fantasy books I've ever read!

the plot, the lore, the characters, the monsters, the magic, the fighting, all of it is just amazingly written and really sucks you into this beautiful and compelling but deadly world, where nothing and noone ever feels save... 

... and the ending just leaves you wanting for more! 

(the beginning was a bit slow though, which is the only reason why I'm not rating this 5 stars)

recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/ERW4uLhNoH8?si=9qcRSMORewkBwLev

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Murder, Blood, and Cursing

Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, and Torture

readingestmama's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

changelingreader_adrian's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Was a temporary DNF because it wasn't catching me and I had other stuff I needed/wanted to get to, but I liked this enough to pick it back up once a hold on an audiobook I forgot I placed came in. Very slow for like the first half-ish and then got really going and good. So. Medium pace is the best I can give it since it's slow and then pretty fast

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Torture

Moderate: Alcohol, War, Body horror, and Murder

Testicles and descriptions of them are a bit weirdly there, so be prepared for that

adrianacheerios's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, and Slavery

andy_sfc_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? No

4.5

This was my first incursion into Norse inspired epic fantasy books and I have to say I am throughly impressed. From the descriptions of nature, the world building, and amazing characters Gwynne's writing has me gripped and I can't wait to continue with the saga. 

The best story arc for me is definitely Orka's. She's such an interesting combination of savagery, fierceness and femininity. 

Varg grew up on me as the story progressed and I can't wait to see where the author takes him. Nevertheless, the bright gems in his chapters for me were the secondary characters such as Svik Rokia, Glornir and the rest of them so, I'm excited to see what's next for them 

The only reason why this does not get 5 stars is Elvar. 

Compared to the other two her motivation as a character and as a warrior was so "basic" 

Although TIl recognise that 

in the end she has now bigger and tougher challenges to overcome and wrongs to avenge. Over all her storyline was boring to me. If it weren't for all of the magical and political aspects going on around her I would have skipped some of her chapters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, and War