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8ekka's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sabrinakreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Vomit, Animal death, Violence, Murder, Death, and Kidnapping
keepingtabbs's review
had no interest in the setting or lore. Bored by long and copious descriptions.
pwig's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
danmtl's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
singhwithpen1's review
5.0
I recently had the pleasure of delving into "The Shadow of the Gods," and I must say, I was completely captivated from start to finish. This epic tale weaves a mesmerizing narrative that seamlessly blends mythology, action, and unforgettable characters.
From the very first page, the story pulls you into a world where gods and mortals collide in a battle for power and survival. The author's masterful storytelling brings each character to life, making them incredibly relatable and deeply complex. I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys, eagerly turning pages to discover their fates.
The world-building is nothing short of spectacular. The rich, vivid descriptions painted a picture so immersive that I felt like I was walking alongside the characters, experiencing every twist and turn of their adventure. The author's attention to detail and creativity shine brightly, creating a world that is both familiar and fantastical.
The pacing of the story is expertly crafted, keeping the tension high and the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. There are moments of heart-pounding action, interspersed with poignant reflections on mortality, power, and the nature of gods. This balance adds depth to the narrative, making it not only an exhilarating read but also a thought-provoking one.
In addition to the compelling plot and well-developed characters, the prose itself is a joy to read. The author's writing style is elegant and evocative, drawing readers deeper into the story with every paragraph. It's a testament to the author's skill that they can craft such a complex and immersive tale while maintaining a smooth and engaging writing style.
"The Shadow of the Gods" is a triumph of epic fantasy. It's a story that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the final page, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you're a fan of epic adventures, intricate world-building, and characters that stay with you, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed. Five stars hardly seem enough for this masterpiece!
From the very first page, the story pulls you into a world where gods and mortals collide in a battle for power and survival. The author's masterful storytelling brings each character to life, making them incredibly relatable and deeply complex. I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys, eagerly turning pages to discover their fates.
The world-building is nothing short of spectacular. The rich, vivid descriptions painted a picture so immersive that I felt like I was walking alongside the characters, experiencing every twist and turn of their adventure. The author's attention to detail and creativity shine brightly, creating a world that is both familiar and fantastical.
The pacing of the story is expertly crafted, keeping the tension high and the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. There are moments of heart-pounding action, interspersed with poignant reflections on mortality, power, and the nature of gods. This balance adds depth to the narrative, making it not only an exhilarating read but also a thought-provoking one.
In addition to the compelling plot and well-developed characters, the prose itself is a joy to read. The author's writing style is elegant and evocative, drawing readers deeper into the story with every paragraph. It's a testament to the author's skill that they can craft such a complex and immersive tale while maintaining a smooth and engaging writing style.
"The Shadow of the Gods" is a triumph of epic fantasy. It's a story that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the final page, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you're a fan of epic adventures, intricate world-building, and characters that stay with you, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed. Five stars hardly seem enough for this masterpiece!
an_erratic_reader's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Not a five-star review because of part of Elva 's chapters 😑
jordanmayne's review
4.0
Took me a while to get into this as I was comparing it to Brandon Sanderson a lot, but the last 40% in particular really drew me in!
Orka's story was fun and interesting but probably the least engaging of the 3.
Elvar was off to a slow start and I wasn't massively loving it but it hugely ramped up at the end and I loved it.
I LOVED every chapter of Varg's story and couldn't wait for his chapters to come around!
The world is really cool, I like the idea of the dead gods' blood creating the Tainted with various powers.
A couple of times you can see that John Gwynne has had a cool idea or turn of phrase for a chapter and uses it a couple of times before dropping it. Not an annoyance but it stood out.
Will definitely read the next book and any more to follow!
Orka's story was fun and interesting but probably the least engaging of the 3.
Elvar was off to a slow start and I wasn't massively loving it but it hugely ramped up at the end and I loved it.
I LOVED every chapter of Varg's story and couldn't wait for his chapters to come around!
The world is really cool, I like the idea of the dead gods' blood creating the Tainted with various powers.
A couple of times you can see that John Gwynne has had a cool idea or turn of phrase for a chapter and uses it a couple of times before dropping it. Not an annoyance but it stood out.
Will definitely read the next book and any more to follow!
angelv78's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marleen3843's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
2 things.
Some chapters are very slow. Especially Elvar I had to get used to
The other thing, there were too many names. Sometimes I didn't know who was who
Some chapters are very slow. Especially Elvar I had to get used to
The other thing, there were too many names. Sometimes I didn't know who was who