A review by velsbooknook
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense

5.0

 Wow just wow. The writing, the world building, the story, the characters - this is all perfect. 
The book follows three characters who are all on their own mission. There is Orka, a huntress and former warrior, now living a peaceful life with her husband and son. Elvar, a warrior and member of the Battle-Grim who hunt Tainted, those that carry the blood of the gods. Last but not least, Varg, a former thrall on the mission to revenge the death of his sister. I enjoyed all three characters' storylines but I especially enjoyed Orka. She is such a well rounded, strong and relatable character and she definitely has become one of my all time favourite characters. 
The Norse inspired world is filled with gods, war, magical creatures, friendship and everything I could have asked for.
This book has almost 500 pages and books like this usually scare me a little but not with this one. I enjoyed every minute of it and I immediately ordered the second book in the series after finishing book one. If you like fantasy get this one right now! This series has my whole heart. 

"This is a world of blood. Of tooth and claw and sharp iron. Of short lives and painful deaths." 

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