Scan barcode
xta_07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A truly bloody brutal fantasy story loosely based in Norse mythology.
This book follows three main protagonists - A former slave trying to find his place, a warrior seeking to make a name for herself, and a battle hardened mother on a quest for revenge.
What a ride! I was hooked from the beginning. John Gwyenne KNOWS how to write a compelling fight scene, and that seriously a good thing since there was a major fight or battle almost every other chapter in this book. What I truly appreciate was that this wasn’t just a book about revenge, or glorification of violence. It truly explored the bonds that people create through trama and what found family can look like. Also, the world building and character development were near perfect. I can’t wait to read book 2!
This book follows three main protagonists - A former slave trying to find his place, a warrior seeking to make a name for herself, and a battle hardened mother on a quest for revenge.
What a ride! I was hooked from the beginning. John Gwyenne KNOWS how to write a compelling fight scene, and that seriously a good thing since there was a major fight or battle almost every other chapter in this book. What I truly appreciate was that this wasn’t just a book about revenge, or glorification of violence. It truly explored the bonds that people create through trama and what found family can look like. Also, the world building and character development were near perfect. I can’t wait to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, and Classism
Minor: Torture
trash_reader_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was really only interested in Orka's point of view. Varg complained way too much about every single thing. I didn't get interested in his point of view until maybe the last 100 pages. And Elvar? I didn't care about her point of view until the second to last chapter. And it really didn't have anything to do with her, just what happened while we were following her.
All three characters were following their own paths and this book contains 3 completely different and separate plot lines. They don't marge until the very end, and even then it's only Varg and Orka. ELvar's point of view just kind of sets up the plot for the second book at the end.
This kept me entertained for the most part, but I wasn't as involved as I had expected to be considering how popular this book is, so it took me a lot longer than anticipated to finish, and even then it was with help from the audiobook. I don't really have much to say besides being on the verge of boredom for 2 out of 3 of the points of view.
Hopefully I enjoy the second book better now that things have finally picked up.
All three characters were following their own paths and this book contains 3 completely different and separate plot lines. They don't marge until the very end, and even then it's only Varg and Orka. ELvar's point of view just kind of sets up the plot for the second book at the end.
This kept me entertained for the most part, but I wasn't as involved as I had expected to be considering how popular this book is, so it took me a lot longer than anticipated to finish, and even then it was with help from the audiobook. I don't really have much to say besides being on the verge of boredom for 2 out of 3 of the points of view.
Hopefully I enjoy the second book better now that things have finally picked up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
iamahmedkhalifa's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Murder
Minor: War
saltycoffee's review
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
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
givethatbooknerd's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Gore
andy_sfc_reads's review
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, and War
dogearedbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Blood. Everything comes down to blood.
This novel was amazing and captivated me from the first sentence. Orka and Varg were the stars. Vengeance driving them forward. Blood on their hands and death in their heart. Elvar was the weakest point in the story, and I actually prefer some of the side characters in her sections then to her. All POV's are important binding together like a woven tapestry, leading to a brutal ending for a first novel.
Death sits on the shoulders of all characters in this novel, her wings casting wide shadows. It is heartbreaking, violent, and one of my favourite novels of 2022.
This novel was amazing and captivated me from the first sentence. Orka and Varg were the stars. Vengeance driving them forward. Blood on their hands and death in their heart. Elvar was the weakest point in the story, and I actually prefer some of the side characters in her sections then to her. All POV's are important binding together like a woven tapestry, leading to a brutal ending for a first novel.
Death sits on the shoulders of all characters in this novel, her wings casting wide shadows. It is heartbreaking, violent, and one of my favourite novels of 2022.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Blood, Death, and Violence
sennaje's review
adventurous
dark
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Animal death, Torture, Slavery, Vomit, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, Body horror, Murder, and Gore
rdallalio's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
This was an absolutely amazing first book to this new trilogy. I was enticed by the story, the world and the characters from the very beginning. This is my first John Gwynne book and now I want to read the rest of his works because this was phenomenal. The way the characters intertwined and how paths intersected and weaved away from each other was perfectly executed. The action was just the right amount and I loved getting just a little more of each characters lives with every chapter. I cannot wait for the next book. I will be picking it up immediately when it comes out because the ending left so many questions and it had the best cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Gore
josiah17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Fantastic book. This is my first introduction to John Gwynne and Norse-inspired fantasy, and boy he didn't disappoint. This was gritty, burtal, mysterious, and extremely captivating. Gwynne writes character interactions and action sequences impeccably. I became quickly invested in 2/3 of the main POV's, especially Varg, who is my favorite character.
The Norse-inspired world was incredibly interesting. I'm looking forward to Hunger of The Gods, and hopefully reading the rest of Gwynne's works next year.
The Norse-inspired world was incredibly interesting. I'm looking forward to Hunger of The Gods, and hopefully reading the rest of Gwynne's works next year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood