Book Review: The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

The Shadow of the Gods is the first installment of John Gwynne’s new Norse-inspired fantasy saga, and it’s filled to the brim with monsters, blood, and glory.

If you’ve got a soft spot for Vikings and fantasy, then The Shadow of the Gods is the book you didn’t know you needed but have been waiting for. Shadow is the first installment in John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn trilogy, and it starts off the the series with a bang. Imagine if all the creatures from Norse mythology — shapeshifting berserkers, trolls, giants and sea serpents  — actually existed alongside Viking-style war bands, and you’ve got a relatively good idea of what you’re walking into here. If words like drengr and holmgang mean anything to you, or the very thought of a shield-wall gets you jittery with excitement, then make no mistake: this book is for you.

Gwynne is best known for his critically acclaimed series The Faithful and the Fallen, but thankfully you don’t need to be familiar with the author’s previous works to enjoy The Shadow of the Gods. It is a totally new series set in a totally new world, making it accessible to longtime fans and newcomers alike.

This is a spoiler-free review, so read on without fear. The Shadow of the Gods has some fantastic plot twists. We would sooner disgrace ourselves on the field of battle than ruin them for you.

The Shadow of the Gods follows three main characters: Orka, a huntress who has a closet overflowing with skeletons (just kidding, Orka would never be that careless — the skeletons have all been hacked to bits and disposed of accordingly); Varg, an escaped thrall who finds his path intertwined with the legendary Bloodsworn mercenary war band; and Elvar, a young warrior out to prove herself as part of another war band, called the Battle-Grim. All three characters are extremely well developed, and the story is balanced very evenly between them. Gwynne does a great job of pacing the action between Orka, Elvar and Varg, allowing each to spend plenty of time at the forefront as well as in the background, usually while they’re traversing the waters of Vigrid. Each of them also has their own cast of supporting characters and enemies, many of whom are a blast to read about.

There is a lot of magic in The Shadow of the Gods, but there is no magic system per se. Instead, the magic manifests in a variety of ways inspired by Norse myth. In the story’s mythos, a war between the Gods took place several hundred years ago, and much of the magic stems from them. The bones of these fallen deities are highly sought-after possessions, able to protect fortresses and bring luck to those who can claim them. There are seers who can cast a variety of spells; people called Tainted who can tap into bestial powers. Magic is mystical and anything but an exact science, which fits this world perfectly.

As you might expect, there’s a lot of action in The Shadow of the Gods (and I do mean a lot). Hardly a chapter goes by without something exciting or intriguing happening, whether that’s a random monster popping up, a skirmish or a reveal of some long-foreshadowed piece of information. Vigrid is a harsh world filled with dangers, a fact that keeps both the characters and readers constantly on their toes. The action scenes are gritty and brutal, and a huge strength of the novel.

Of course, it helps that author John Gwynne is a legit Viking re-enactor. When he’s describing a warrior’s kit of gear, there is zero suspension of disbelief required. It is thoroughly obvious that the man knows what he’s talking about when it comes to weapons and the innumerable Viking/Norse elements that he’s layered into the story. There is a sense of authenticity to Gwynne’s world that makes it so easy to immerse yourself in it, and sets it apart from other Norse-inspired stories.

When it comes to the larger plotlines, however, The Shadow of the Gods is a surprisingly slow burn. Gwynne takes his time, carefully doling out bits of information throughout his action-packed saga. This is the first book in a trilogy, and that is exactly what it feels like. The three main characters stay confined more or less to their own separate adventures for the duration of the tale, with occasional references sprinkled throughout to tie them together. By the end of the book, there’s a sense that the larger story is just getting started, and the shape of how everyone could come together is just beginning to form. Some plotlines are tied up in very exciting ways, but many of the largest plot threads are left hanging for the sequels. There is no neat conclusion to The Shadow of the Gods, just an exhilarating ride to the finish before the story cuts off, as sharply as if it’s been sliced by a blade. The climax of this book is utterly epic. There is no other word for it.

As for the actual writing itself, all I can say is that the book’s back cover copy proclaiming Gwynne a “master storyteller” is no idle boast. The Shadow of the Gods is a masterclass in a deliberately constructed story told exceedingly well. The descriptions are immersive, whether the author is transporting us to a dockside marketplace, a brutal battle, or a quiet evening inside the awe-inspiring city of Snakavik, a locale literally built within the enormous jaws of the dead serpent god Snaka. There is a great sense of wonder to be found in this book, since you never know what fantastical beast or idea could show up on the next page.

The only downside to The Shadow of the Gods that I could see is that, by this point, Norse myth and Vikings have been done quite a lot in popular media. If you’re familiar with shows like Vikings and The Last Kingdom, or video games like God of War, Skyrim and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, you may see some very familiar plot points or ideas. For me, this did have the unfortunate side effect of making some twists predictable, but thankfully, Gwynne executes them so well that it doesn’t really matter. Even when you know what’s coming, you can count on the author blowing you away with how it all plays out. There’s one twist in particular I had anticipated from nearly the start of the book, but when it finally came to pass I still literally gasped out loud and covered my mouth in shock, because Gwynne’s execution is just that good.

In conclusion, The Shadow of the Gods is an excellent read. If you like action-driven fantasy and Norse myth or Vikings, this is a must-read fantasy book for 2021.

The Shadow of the Gods releases on May 4 from Orbit Books.

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