Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

21 reviews

sher_lostinabook's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, and Gore

ohloulou's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence

Moderate: Child death and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual content

saltycoffee's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Body horror, Child abuse, Grief, Torture, Trafficking, Blood, Murder, Slavery, Xenophobia, Classism, Confinement, War, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gore

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

ripxw's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence

Moderate: Slavery

Minor: Death of parent

poekie9080's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Torture and Death of parent

Minor: Vomit

darkefyres's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, and Murder

Minor: War, Sexual content, and Child death

poetry_shaman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Torture, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Kidnapping and Slavery

tristen's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In The Shadow of the Gods we follow along with 3 POV’s: Orka, a mother & warrior; Varg, an ex-thrall seeking vengeance; and Elvar, a young mercenary craving battle-fame. All this set in a Norse-inspired world of violence and battle where hesitation means death. 

 

This book was everything I could ever want from a fantasy novel and more. This was also my first John Gwynne book, and I have to say I totally understand now what everyone raves about. His writing is just *chefs kiss*. The amount of tabs I used while annotating was absolutely ridiculous, and it was purely because there were so many lines I absolutely loved. 

 

Though the most impressive thing, I feel, is that there was never a moment where I was disappointed to read a characters POV. Which is saying something considering there were 3 different POV’s going on. But I genuinely loved and was interested in them all. Not to mention the many side characters I am absolutely in love with. 

 

Besides the characters, whom I loved, I also believe the plot was insanely good. I was always intrigued with each of the story lines, and I especially loved the plot twists here and there. And the ending was just perfect. Though I will say I’m so glad and thankful to have received an e-ARC of The Hunger of the Gods because this book left me immediately wanting more. 

 

So, would I recommend? Yes, yes, and yes! Those who like an action-driven fantasy with Norse elements will especially love this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Gore, Grief, Death, Violence, and Slavery

Moderate: Death of parent and Animal death

Minor: Vomit

gaia_dea's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Violence, War, Blood, Death of parent, Excrement, Gore, and Slavery

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Excrement, and Fire/Fire injury