The Shadow of the Gods

“A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic.” —Anthony RyanTHE 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 vengeance, The Shadow of the Gods begins an epic new fantasy saga from bestselling author John Gwynne.

• "A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realized characters move against a backdrop of a world stunning in its immensity. It’s everything I’ve come to expect from a John Gwynne book."

  Robin Hobb

• "The world is wonderfully rendered with attention paid to what makes the Norse sagas entertaining….The many layers provide a lavish feast for any reader. A great companion to Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology."

  Booklist (starred review)

• "A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic."

  Anthony Ryan

• "There is not a dull chapter in this fantasy epic. As tension mounts with each passing page, Gwynne delivers exhilarating fights and gruesome battles with such vivid prose the choreography jumps off the page."

  Vulture (Best of the Year)

• "Gwynne, a Viking reenactor, puts in the work, with fine historical details that make the story come to life. Fans of the era will be delighted with the accuracy. This is a duly exciting start to the series."

  Publishers Weekly

• "A masterclass in storytelling . . . epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart."

  FanFiAddict

• "Quintessential Gwynne, honed to perfection . . . The Shadow of the Gods is absolutely stunning, one hell of an epic series opener, and a spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy."

  The Tattooed Book Geek