Fiction & Poetry, Modern & Contemporary Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror , Science Fiction & Fantasy

The Shadow of the Gods: Book One of the Bloodsworn Saga
Paperback Published on: 27/01/2022
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Make and edit your lists in your account
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop
Collect today: Pay in shop
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop
Collect today: Pay in shop
Manage Wish Lists
You can add lists or move this item to another list

Bookseller Reviews
View all
A Norse Fantasy Epic
I love this book.
The story follows three similar, though different enough, protagonists as they adventure, hunt and fight their way across a post-rag... READ MORE

Edward Riley

Fantasy writing at its best
So I’m quite possibly late to this party, having not read John Gwynne before, and reading a lot of other reviews on his other series, I figured this was th... READ MORE

Emma at Meadowhall

Great read from start to finish
The Shadow of the Gods is a fantastic opening to a new fantasy series. There are 3 narrative threads that work together to build the world of this Norse in... READ MORE

Nicola C

The start of an epic series
Absolutely fantastic, a new take with a twist on the Norse myths we are all familiar with, couldn't put it down and can't wait on the next instalment

Andy

An epic start to a fantasy series
This is the first book I’ve read of John Gwynne’s, and it will not be the last. It took a bit to hook me, but I’m glad I persevered as it had lots of detai... READ MORE

Jennelle from Bangor
Synopsis
The greatest sagas are written in blood.
A century has passed since the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now only their bones remain, promising great power to those brave enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war echo across the land of Vigrid, fate follows in the footsteps of three warriors: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman pursuing battle fame, and a thrall seeking vengeance among the mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods.
Set in a brand-new, Norse-inspired world, and packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
- ISBN: 9780356514215
- Number of pages: 528
- Dimensions: 198 x 126 x 36 mm
- Weight: 356g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View all
Gritty, weighty, and deeply satisfying
This is a brilliant, Norse myth/saga-inspired start of what promises to be a fantastic epic fantasy series. We follow three main characters (and their vari... READ MORE

Emma at Waterstones Aberystwyth

One of the most anticipated fantasy releases in 2021!
“Death is our constant companion, a whisper in our ear, but when you see a friend fall…nothing prepares us for it, even though we’ve waded through a river ... READ MORE

Johan Djurholm

Whether you’re a fan of fantasy books in general or just have an interest in Norse Mythology, Shadow of the Gods will be a great read.
Heavily inspired by Norse myths, if you’re already familiar with Norse figures and lore then you will find entering the world of Vígríð to be very easy, qu... READ MORE

Aidan Rogers

Shadow of the Gods
It took me a while to get into this story, but once I was in I was hooked! John Gwynne has once again succeeded in creating a fantasy land, A fantasy land... READ MORE

ROBERT GOULD

If you're a fan of Fantasy and Norse Mythology this book will have you in a vice grip.
Fantastic. Thrilling. The boiling excitement that builds up before any fight had me shifting in my seat.
I actually planned to read this over the course... READ MORE

Alister Anthony Montaner

Believe the hype, candidate for book of the year
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Shadow of the gods is a Norse inspired fantasy epic boasting a large... READ MORE

Raj Desai

The Shadow of the Gods is an epic, gritty fantasy. With an amazing start to this new series
An epic and brutally compelling new fantasy
The Shadow of the Gods is the first book I have read by John Gwynne. I did not know too much about this one, o... READ MORE

Ashley_0507

Different Take on Norse Mythology
This is an incredible fantasy book based on Norse mythology but with a completely different magic system and different gods and mythology,
The story cente... READ MORE

Lara Olafisoye

Awesome and Emotional Story
This book is incredible! I was intrigued because of the Norse-inspired world and it didn't disappoint.
The book follows 3 points of view: Orka, a huntres... READ MORE

Ioana Frunza-Pantiru

Epic storytelling
The gods have fallen and the tribes of man still remember the horror. So they hunt and enslave those tainted with the old gods blood, but there are those t... READ MORE

Sharon

Masterful
The story is the start of a new storyline that is not based in the same world as his previous books and is set in a Viking world, full of battle-hardened w... READ MORE

Fantasy Book Nerd

Fantastic, gripping, violent
Ist great
That's it really

Mason Addelease

A spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy.
John Gwynne is one of those special types of authors, an author who makes you remember why you originally fell in love with a specific genre and then furth... READ MORE

Drew Weldon

Fantastic
Shadow of the Gods is one of the most epic novels I have read in a long time. It is brutal, awash with gore, as it is a Norse-inspired historical fantasy s... READ MORE

Neil Sharma

An Excellent, Brutal Tale
'The Shadow of the Gods’ is the first book in John Gwynne’s ‘Bloodsworn Saga’, a new epic fantasy series inspired by Norse mythology. It tells an excellent... READ MORE

Jessica Robyn Law

Wow just wow
I have no words to explain how much I love this book, it follows 3 main characters and I love them all for the own unique ways and battles they are having ... READ MORE

kerry lippitt

Brilliant
5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Brilliant
I absolutely loved The Shadow of the Gods, in fact it’s possibly the best book I’ve read in a long time... READ MORE

Lynn Williams

A Book for the Gods
So this was my first John Gwynne book.
It’s a Norse mythology-inspired, battle strewn epic. Filled with warriors, treasure-seekers, outlaws and runaways, ... READ MORE

Jonathan Mitchell

There maybe hype, but it's all deserved
It's outstanding. Well of course it is it's Gwynne, I was expecting great things and I got even more than I could have imagined.
We're going into a new w... READ MORE

Colleen Kitley

A great beginning to a Norse inspired epic fantasy
I've been a bit slow to get to read the new releases in main-stream epic fantasy but I'm glad I got to read this one.
This is my first experience of a Joh... READ MORE

NoxWitchBookLife

Recommended
It's the first book I read by this author and loved it. It's the excellent start of a new fantasy series that kept me hooked.
I loved the style of writing,... READ MORE

AMG

A wonderful, enthralling Saga-tale
This book is a stunning example of a Norse-mythology inspired novel. From the very first chapter I was captivated by the storytelling.
As we met the three... READ MORE

Jack Richardson

Seriously Epic
Synopsis
The land of Vigrid still bears the scars of the gods’ extinction war. 100 years after their extinction, monstrous vaesan swarm over the world and... READ MORE

Tom Bookbeard

Amazing book
This book creates a world of wonder, with 3 characters who follows a similar path. The way JG writes draws you in from the start. Brilliant book, looking f... READ MORE

Fran McKenzie-Orr
Verified Purchase
Grabs you by the scruff of the neck
A Norse-inspired world, outstanding characters, creepy critters (I'll say no more... plot spoilers), and a story that grabs you by the scruff of the neck a... READ MORE

Dawn Lewis

Fans of John Gwynne will be pleased with this
I have read the entirety of John Gwynne’s output and feel that he has grown stronger as a writer from book to book. Shadow of the God’s continues that tren... READ MORE

J F E Brittle

What a fantastic read
What a fantastic read, from battle scenes to building character to the humour 5/5

Zoe Ramsden

An unapologetically brutal, seax-wielding, revenge-soaked journey through a vividly realised, Norse-inspired world.
What worked for me:The characters are exceptionally well developed throughout. The main cast forms clear, vivid impressions, while side characters never fe... READ MORE

Cpage
Sign in to write a review
You may also like...

Assassin’s Apprentice
Price: £9.99

A Court of Thorns and Roses
Price: £9.99

Iron Flame
Price: £25.00

Pagans
Price: £9.99

Onyx Storm
Price: £25.00

Alchemised
Recommended Retail Price: £25.00Price: £21.99

The Knight and the Moth
Price: £10.99

Fury Bound
Recommended Retail Price: £22.00Price: £18.99

Once Upon a Broken Heart
Price: £10.99

The Raven Scholar
Price: £10.99

Light Wielder
Price: £22.00

Starside
Price: £22.00

Dungeon Crawler Carl
Price: £22.00

The Devils
Price: £10.99

Onyx Storm
Price: £10.99

The Unicorn Hunters
Price: £20.00

Katabasis
Price: £10.99

Untitled Empyrean (Not Book Four)
Price: £22.00

