The Shadow of the Gods
On sale
25th November 2025
Price: £35
Genre
This is a stunning special edition of The Shadow of the Gods, the first novel in the internationally bestselling Bloodsworn series from master storyteller John Gwynne.
This edition features:
Jacket with full artwork
Four color end papers
Foil embossing on the board
Designed sprayed edges
THE 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 Vigrið, 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.
‘Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable’ Jay Kristoff
‘A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised 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
‘A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic’ Anthony Ryan
The Bloodsworn Saga
The Shadow of the Gods
The Hunger of the Gods
The Fury of the Gods
This edition features:
Jacket with full artwork
Four color end papers
Foil embossing on the board
Designed sprayed edges
THE 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 Vigrið, 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.
‘Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable’ Jay Kristoff
‘A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised 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
‘A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic’ Anthony Ryan
The Bloodsworn Saga
The Shadow of the Gods
The Hunger of the Gods
The Fury of the Gods
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic
Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable
A merciless and brutal series filled with graphic action, impeccable world-building and an ever-growing ensemble of characters who straddle the lines of morality
A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realised 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
A masterclass in storytelling. It is epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart. A near-perfect combination of Vikings and Cornwell's The Last Kingdom, but with a fantastical flare that Gwynne executes flawlessly
John Gwynne has written another classic and easily one of the best books of the year
Wonderfully atmospheric, and readers looking for a Nordic flavored fantasy adventure will find plenty to love
Quintessential Gwynne honed to perfection, sharpened to a deadly edge and it does NOT disappoint. For new readers enjoy your first time experiencing Gwynne as he is a magnificent storyteller of gritty and grim fantasy that is full of heart. For old and new readers alike, simply, you are in for a treat as The Shadow of the Gods is absolutely stunning, one hell of an epic series opener and a spectacular dose of Viking-flavoured fantasy.
The world is wonderfully rendered with attention paid to what makes the Norse sagas entertaining . . . The three characters are swept up in this larger plot in different ways, which just makes the story richer. The many layers provide a lavish feast for any reader. A great companion to Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology
Reminds me of all that I love in the fantasy genre. The Shadow of the Gods is an action packed cinematic read. It feels historically authentic, Viking-esque, yet wonderfully fantastical too. A tale of monsters and magic, Gods and legends, friendship and oaths, blood and vengeance - Gwynne has certainly done it again, if not raised the bar even higher
A duly exciting start to the series
A brilliant Norse-influenced fantasy that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. Another dazzling epic story from a true master
John Gwynne is the closest we have to an inheritor of David Gemmell's mantle as master of heroic fantasy with grit and heart
John Gwynne writes some of the most blood-pumping battle scenes that I have ever read
The best book I've read this year
This engaging tale is full of battles, blood, friendship, and epic fame to be sung for ages. I can't rave about it enough. After finishing this, you will be left breathless, hungering for more. I will immediately be reading every book ever written by John Gwynne
