
The Shadow of the Gods
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $39.38
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Colin Mace
-
Written by:
-
John Gwynne
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 OrbitYou may also enjoy...
-
Malice
- Written by: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 23 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, but now giants are seen, the stones weep blood, and giant wyrms are stirring. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. For if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind's hopes and dreams will fall to dust....
-
-
Great narrator in the fight scenes.
- By David on 2020-04-27
Written by: John Gwynne
-
A Time of Dread
- Written by: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Ben-Elim, a race of warrior angels, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished lands. But their dominion is brutally enforced and their ancient enemy may not be as crushed as they thought. In the snowbound north, Drem, a trapper, finds mutilated corpses in the forests—a sign of demonic black magic. In the south, Riv, a young, tempestuous soldier, discovers a deadly rift within the Ben-Elim themselves. Two individuals with two world-changing secrets. But where will they lead?
-
-
nice trip back
- By Brian on 2018-04-23
Written by: John Gwynne
-
The Will of the Many
- Hierarchy, Book 1
- Written by: James Islington
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
-
-
Couldn’t ask for a better mysterious, intellectual epic!
- By Anonymous User on 2023-07-22
Written by: James Islington
-
The Shadow of What Was Lost
- The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1
- Written by: James Islington
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs, once thought of almost as gods, were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.
-
-
I was pleasantly surprised by this book
- By Jeffrey on 2017-10-20
Written by: James Islington
-
The Devils
- Written by: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 23 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends. Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.
Written by: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Rage of Dragons
- Written by: Evan Winter
- Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable fight for almost 200 years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every 2,000 women has the power to call down dragons. One in every 100 men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine. Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war. Young, giftless Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance. Those closest to him are murdered....
-
-
Rage of meh
- By James on 2019-08-23
Written by: Evan Winter
-
Malice
- Written by: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 23 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, but now giants are seen, the stones weep blood, and giant wyrms are stirring. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. For if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind's hopes and dreams will fall to dust....
-
-
Great narrator in the fight scenes.
- By David on 2020-04-27
Written by: John Gwynne
-
A Time of Dread
- Written by: John Gwynne
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Ben-Elim, a race of warrior angels, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished lands. But their dominion is brutally enforced and their ancient enemy may not be as crushed as they thought. In the snowbound north, Drem, a trapper, finds mutilated corpses in the forests—a sign of demonic black magic. In the south, Riv, a young, tempestuous soldier, discovers a deadly rift within the Ben-Elim themselves. Two individuals with two world-changing secrets. But where will they lead?
-
-
nice trip back
- By Brian on 2018-04-23
Written by: John Gwynne
-
The Will of the Many
- Hierarchy, Book 1
- Written by: James Islington
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
-
-
Couldn’t ask for a better mysterious, intellectual epic!
- By Anonymous User on 2023-07-22
Written by: James Islington
-
The Shadow of What Was Lost
- The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1
- Written by: James Islington
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs, once thought of almost as gods, were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.
-
-
I was pleasantly surprised by this book
- By Jeffrey on 2017-10-20
Written by: James Islington
-
The Devils
- Written by: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 23 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends. Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.
Written by: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Rage of Dragons
- Written by: Evan Winter
- Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable fight for almost 200 years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every 2,000 women has the power to call down dragons. One in every 100 men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine. Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war. Young, giftless Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance. Those closest to him are murdered....
-
-
Rage of meh
- By James on 2019-08-23
Written by: Evan Winter
-
The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story
- Written by: M. L. Wang
- Narrated by: Andrew Tell
- Length: 24 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire's enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name "The Sword of Kaigen". Born into Kusanagi's legendary Matsuda family, f14-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: To master his family's fighting techniques and defend his homeland.
-
-
Saved by its latter half
- By Nahla on 2021-04-28
Written by: M. L. Wang
-
Red Rising (Part 1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation)
- Red Rising, Book 1
- Written by: Pierce Brown
- Narrated by: full cast, Stewart Crank, John Kielty, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
-
-
Can’t stop listening - so good!
- By Packa on 2023-11-03
Written by: Pierce Brown
-
Jade Shards
- Stories
- Written by: Fonda Lee
- Narrated by: Andrew Kishino
- Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fonda Lee returns to the acclaimed Green Bone Saga with four prequel short stories that delve into the personal histories of the Kaul and Ayt families.
-
-
I honestly wish this series was longer.
- By Anonymous User on 2023-09-30
Written by: Fonda Lee
-
The Way of Kings
- The Stormlight Archive, Book 1
- Written by: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 45 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter. It has been centuries since the fall of the 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor.
-
-
Slow but steady
- By Jonathon Flaman on 2019-04-15
Written by: Brandon Sanderson
-
Tress of the Emerald Sea: A Cosmere Novel (Dramatized Adaptation)
- Secret Projects, Book 1
- Written by: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: David Cui Cui, Bradley Foster Smith, Christopher Walker, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?
-
-
Sadly disappointed
- By MLD on 2025-01-28
Written by: Brandon Sanderson
-
The Dragon's Blade
- The Reborn King
- Written by: Michael R. Miller
- Narrated by: Dave Cruse
- Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dragons once soared in the skies, but that was before the Transformation, before they took human form. Now, demonic forces stand to obliterate them. When left mortally wounded, Darnuir, the Prince of Dragons, can only be saved through a dangerous rebirthing spell. He is left as a babe in human hands. Twenty years later, Darnuir is of age to wield the Dragon's Blade. As the last member of his bloodline, he is the only one who can. He is plunged into a role he is not prepared for, to lead a people he does not know.
-
-
Hold on there partner not this one
- By Anonymous User on 2024-11-18
Written by: Michael R. Miller
-
A Little Hatred
- Written by: Joe Abercrombie
- Narrated by: Steven Pacey
- Length: 20 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments. Savine dan Glokta - socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union - plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
-
-
found my new favorite author
- By Anonymous User on 2019-10-28
Written by: Joe Abercrombie
-
The Complete Poppy War Trilogy
- The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic, The Burning God
- Written by: R. F. Kuang
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 66 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This collection features the novels in her historical military fantasy trilogy—The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic, and The Burning God—a complete epic inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.
-
-
torture-murder pornography disguised as literature
- By LudgarKin on 2023-06-11
Written by: R. F. Kuang
-
Gunmetal Gods
- Gunmetal Gods, Book 1
- Written by: Zamil Akhtar
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fifty thousand gun-toting paladins march behind him, all baptized in angel blood, thirsty to burn unbelievers. Only the janissaries can stand against them. Their living legend, Kevah, once beheaded a magus amid a hail of ice daggers. But ever since his wife disappeared, he spends his days in a haze of hashish and poetry. To save the kingdom, Kevah must conquer his grief and become the legend he once was. But Micah writes his own legend in blood, and his righteous conquest will stop at nothing. When the gods choose sides, a legend will be etched upon the stars.
-
-
Great blend of cosmic horror and fantasy
- By RayVon on 2024-08-19
Written by: Zamil Akhtar
-
The Blacktongue Thief
- Written by: Christopher Buehlman
- Narrated by: Christopher Buehlman
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path. But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
-
-
Absolute Perfection
- By Listener on 2021-06-18
Written by: Christopher Buehlman
-
The Name of the Wind
- Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
- Written by: Patrick Rothfuss
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
-
-
My Absolute Favorite!!!
- By Kitty_Kittenator on 2019-01-19
Written by: Patrick Rothfuss
-
The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice
- Written by: Robin Hobb
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 17 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change.
-
-
you really can't judge a book by its cover
- By John on 2017-10-21
Written by: Robin Hobb
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)
Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks like
The Witcher For Dark Fantasy Fans to Explore
For fans of dark fantasy looking for collections of short stories and epics like Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, finding a new adventure to get swept up in once again can be challenging. Whether you binge-watched the Netflix series or devoured every incredible book in Andrzej Sapkowski’s series, we’ve compiled a fantastic list of audiobooks that will return you to the world of The Witcher and keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
What listeners say about The Shadow of the Gods
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Arthur Saunders
- 2021-09-07
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kenneth Revoy
- 2021-05-19
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicholas Mckinnon
- 2022-06-01
amazing viking fantasy novel
loved it more then I ever thought I would. it has an amazing group of characters.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- W
- 2022-10-13
What a book.
A great book that gets you into the story straight away. Great narration too. On to book two
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lea Sheppard
- 2023-07-03
Awesome story
Vivid battles, deep world building. can't wait to dive into the next one. Worth reading.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D. Schmitt
- 2022-08-02
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kenomee
- 2025-01-27
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!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joe Shmoe eh
- 2022-04-04
Amazing performance! awesome story!
listened while at work to help the day pass but I Wanted to binge the whole book in one sitting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Reuben Van Beek
- 2022-12-23
Wow
One of the best books I’ve read and listening to it was incredible. Just do it
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- isaac blount
- 2023-07-30
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!