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Book Review: The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

 The Shadow of the Gods 

By John Gwynne 

(The BloodSworn Saga #1) 


Published Year: 2021

Page Count: 478 pages 

Medium Used: Paperback 

Genre : High Fantasy, Magic, Gods, Mythology, Gore, Adventure, 2025-read. 

Rating : 4/5 


(The cover pic is a bit misleading. In that there is no battle or challenge between a brave warrior and a giant snake or dragon in this part of the series)


Very moving. Highly absorbing. I liked how despite being set in a fantasy world, this book could be related to a modern day society in our world. There is a lot of fighting and killing. There is a lot of blood letting and flesh eating. But despite it all, a fierce human element is emphasized and I loved it. 


The narrative is set around three important characters - Varg, Elvar and Orka. Orka is on a hunt to find out her stolen son and avenge her husband's murder. Elvar is running away from her father who wants her wed to the Queen's son and keep her locked in a boring and shackled life. Varg has set out to find his dead and missing sister's whereabouts and also to track the killer. 


The world is staged at a point in time , three hundred years after the Gods have fought each other and fallen. There are multiple Gods all related by blood - the snake father and his children - dragon, eagle, rat, wolf and bear. There are rumors that some of them are still trapped and alive in underground cages. The band with which Elvar teams up go on this hunt for fame, glory and wealth left over in the ancient God's land. 


I would like to watch this on screen as well. I think it would be great. 

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