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The Shadow of the Gods

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The Shadow of the Gods

Written by: John Gwynne
Narrated by: Colin Mace
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About this listen

From acclaimed fantasy author John Gwynne comes the first in the Bloodsworn trilogy, an epic of wild lands and wilder magic, where not all monsters fight with tooth and claw...and the treasures of the gods come at a price.

This is the age of storm and murder.

After the old gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrio.

Now, power-hungry jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power, promising fame, and fortune for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.

As whispers of war echo over the plains and across the fjords, fate follows the footsteps of three people: a huntress searching for her missing son, a jarl's daughter who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who has cast off his chains and now fights alongside the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.

All three will shape the fate of the world, as it once more teeters on the edge of chaos.

For more from John Gwynne, check out:

Of Blood and Bone series: A Time of Dread, A Time of Blood, and A Time of Courage

The Faithful and the Fallen series: Malice, Valor, Ruin, and Wrath

©2021 John Gwynne (P)2021 Orbit
Action & Adventure Dragons & Mythical Creatures Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Mystery Scary Icelandic Sagas

What the critics say

"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)

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What listeners say about The Shadow of the Gods

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In running for best book of the year

11/10 cannot wait for next book.
The narrator is a modern bard.
The story is a well crafted tail in a very unique world. Passion, Violence, Love and War all twisted in to a beautiful masterpiece.

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Gwynne is Gold

John Gwynne never disappoints, and this introduction to his latest series confirms it. Gripping from the first chapters, beautiful world building, with a great pace and a thrilling ending. When you add in a the voice talents of Mr. Mace for this audiobook, it's a home run.

Only listen if you're interested in: fantasy, vikings, exceptional story telling and violence.

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4 people found this helpful

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amazing viking fantasy novel

loved it more then I ever thought I would. it has an amazing group of characters.

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What a book.

A great book that gets you into the story straight away. Great narration too. On to book two

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Awesome story

Vivid battles, deep world building. can't wait to dive into the next one. Worth reading.

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A Saga in the telling.

I don't like books the size of phone booths anymore or books with more characters then an NFL team. I don't have the time to memorize so much detail anymore. I have recently gone back in time to read the classics by Howard, Moorcock and Leiber.
However, I very quickly became enamoured with this book and have now read it twice.
This book is the perfect blend of modern epic storytelling set in a grimdark Norse-inspired world. Each of the three leads are unique from each other but familiar to readers of mythology and fantasy.
John Gwynne doesn't reinvent the wheel, but spins a helluva adventure story with engaging world-building and characters you will root for with battle descriptions that made my mouth water.
All excellently narrated I may add.

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A Great Trilogy!

This tale is as epic as Beowulf. D9nt miss out! get the whole set! it's worth the listen! Writer and Narrator both five star!!

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Amazing performance! awesome story!

listened while at work to help the day pass but I Wanted to binge the whole book in one sitting.

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Wow

One of the best books I’ve read and listening to it was incredible. Just do it

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great narrator I loved it

very good. will read the rest if the books in this series. makes me want to play a barbarian in RPGs.

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