We are the Bloodsworn, closer than kin. A brotherhood, a sisterhood: we live and die together.
— Shadow of the Gods
Some of my summer reads included John Gwynne’s The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods. (Both are a part of The Bloodsworn Trilogy — the third book hasn’t come out yet). The story takes place in a viking-esque land, centuries after the gods (loosely based on Norse myth) killed each other in a bloody civil war.
But of course, their fall isn’t the end of the story. Three characters–an escaped slave, a warrior seeking glory, and a woman who just wants to settle down and have peace with her family–find their stories intertwine as a powerful evil rises up from the shadows of the past.
The series has been receiving rave reviews. The gritty action reminds me of Anthony Ryan’s work. And the quick pacing makes it a page-turner. But for me the writing is rather simplistic. One thing that bothered me (but eventually got used to) was how much time Gwynne spent describing what warriors were wearing. (Then again, what can you expect from an author who spends his free time dressing up in armor and reenacting old battles.)
If you enjoy epic fantasy (with graphic violence), then these small faults shouldn’t keep you from enjoying The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods. (I bought the second book right after I finished the first, if that tells you anything.)
4/5 stars
What great books have you read lately?
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