Big Buddy Read - The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne - October 1, 2022

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

We the mods have decided to choose the fantasy genre for the Big Buddy Read that will start October 1st. We will not put an end date on these reads as we feel that no one likes to be crunched with their reading time. If you start late that is fine and you can finish the read whenever.

We will be reading the book, The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne.

Story synopsis:

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

Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave - or desperate - enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed 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 . . .



Whoever wants to join can and it is voluntary. Please use spoilers when necessary - thank you.

Have fun and enjoy the read!

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Such a great book, can't wait to read the comments are you guys are reading it :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I cannot wait to read this book! Been wanting to read it for so long and I just love Gwynne's writing style. This is going to be so much fun! :)

[Nyssa]

*Claiming a spot so that I don’t lose this thread*

[Vickie]

Oh you won't be disappointed. Loved this one!

[Kevin]

Definitely in for this one!

[Jason]

Yes have had this hfif ages John Gwynne rocks

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I'm so excited!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Nyssa wrote: "*Claiming a spot so that I don’t lose this thread*"

No worries - we will not let you forget, Nyssa! :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Yay!! We are going to have a blast you all! :)

[Trustno1]

Awesome, it's on my list but this is just the moticatin I needed to approach it.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Trustno1 wrote: "Awesome, it's on my list but this is just the moticatin I needed to approach it."

Cool Trustno! Happy to see you here! :)

[Ginger]

Just an awesome series!! I can’t wait to read all the comments and follow along. Enjoy all!

[Krystal]

Ahh every time I see this one at work I resist the urge to buy it! I really want to jump on this read but I already have so many books to get through. The pressure is too much lol

[Trustno1]

I started early and am about half in. It is really beautifully and atmospherically written. I also love the lore about the Gods and the different creatures inhabiting the world. But I also must say when it comes to the plot I am not hooked.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am starting this book sometime this week. :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I started the book during the night as I couldn't sleep and I have been so wanting to jump into this book so I decided to "just do it"! lol

In the middle of chapter two

Thoughts (view spoiler)[ The visuals are jumping off the page already and the action starts right away. The graphic descriptions of the deaths of Asgrim and Idrun were rough.

Already seeing death and that was just in chapter 1. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to reading some more today.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I just finished chapter 4 and getting ready to go into chapter 5.

Thoughts:

(view spoiler)[I love Varg! He proved himself in that fight and now he is a Bloodsworn! His character is strong and I like how he doesn't back down from anything. The end of chapter four was awesome! He will no longer have to be a slave to anyone! I really like the family of Orka and I like how she doesn't back down from anything either. (hide spoiler)]

Planning on reading some more tonight! :)

[Sydney]

I read this about a month or so ago. I loved it. The beginning was really slow to, it could have just been the Audible narrator though. The worldbuilding though is spot on and well done. So atmospheric and such a great ambiance. Can't wait to start book two soon now that it's getting cooler into fall. I tend to be a seasonal reader. I love Varg and Orka. Elvar is ok but my least favorite of the three.

[Ginger]

Sydney wrote: "I read this about a month or so ago. I loved it. The beginning was really slow to, it could have just been the Audible narrator though. The worldbuilding though is spot on and well done. So atmosph..."

Sydney, book 2 is just as great as this first book. I think you'll love it and enjoy. The action and plot just ramps up in the second book!!

[Ginger]

Marie wrote: "I just finished chapter 4 and getting ready to go into chapter 5.

Thoughts:
[spoilers removed]
Planning on reading some more tonight! :)"

Yes!! He's definitely one of my favorite characters in this series. You'll love how his character keeps changing, growing and (view spoiler)[becoming more of a badass! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Ginger wrote: "Yes!! He's definitely one of my favorite characters in this series. You'll love how his character keeps changing, growing and..."

That is good to know, Ginger! Love that (view spoiler)[badass statement! lol (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I have made some good progress with this story. Lots of excitement! I am not feeling nothing slow with this book at all. If anything the pace is fast! I am up to chapter 10 (17% in).

(view spoiler)[Berserker and his family captured by the Battle-Grim - that fight with the troll was wild. The sea serpent on the heels of the troll was a crazy ride too.

So my thoughts of the wife of the Berserker - she is a Seior-witch which is what Varg is looking for - maybe down the line their paths cross....just saying. I know you all cannot tell me - spoiler alert for sure (LOL) but my thoughts are wavering that way.

Love Elvar! Brave and a great warrior too! She seems to have a soft spot as well under all that warrior attitude. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Hey y'all! I'm going to start tonight! Let's go!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Hey y'all! I'm going to start tonight! Let's go!"

Yay!!! :)

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Love all the enthusiasm in this thread <3

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I'm in chapter 5. It's wonderful so far, what is a seax?

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "I'm in chapter 5. It's wonderful so far, what is a seax?"

I had to look it up myself as I didn't know what it was either. I found this explanation.

https://www.knifeventure.com/seax-knife/

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

And on Wiki they have this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seax

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Ah OK, thanks Marie. I'll have to find one to add to my collection!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Ah OK, thanks Marie. I'll have to find one to add to my collection!"

You are welcome. :)

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Sally wrote: "Ah OK, thanks Marie. I'll have to find one to add to my collection!"

Its so funny I had to google it when I read it too!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kasia wrote: "Sally wrote: "Ah OK, thanks Marie. I'll have to find one to add to my collection!"

Its so funny I had to google it when I read it too!

"

Love that pic! Great visual image! :)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I need that blade! That's beautiful!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am in the middle of chapter 12 and loving all this action. :)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

End of chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ I don't think I ever recall being so sad about a tree being cut down (murdered). (hide spoiler)] This is so good.

[Ginger]

Sally wrote: "End of chapter 15 [spoilers removed] This is so good."

Yeah! That part bummed me out too!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Oh damn!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

The end of chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ Hello father? Elvar being called out by the statue, didn't see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am in the middle of chapter 15.

Small thoughts:

(view spoiler)[I was upset that Virk died even though he wasn't a main character. I thought that was just wrong with the thrall attacking him and killing him. He won that fight fair and then to be killed for it did not set well with me. (hide spoiler)]

[Vickie]

Yes, I agree Marie, that was tough for me too.

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Sally wrote: "End of chapter 15 [spoilers removed] This is so good."

Yeah that hurt!!!!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Starting chapter 39 today. I'm in love with this book and these characters! So far Elvar is my book girlfriend and Orka is 100% on my apocalypse team! (view spoiler)[ Lif and Mord rushing in on horses to save Orka made my heart swell. They're good boys. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Thoughts so far - near 40% into the book.

(view spoiler)[Orka's husband dying and her son being kidnapped was a rough read; Varg is finding out what it means to be a Bloodsworn - it would definitely be a slow rising to become one - I figured he would have to prove himself to actually be one - he is almost like on a probationary status; Elvar is slowing rising in rank too as I can feel that she could become a great warrior - she has already proven herself tons of times already that she could even become a leader.

I am thinking that at some point all three of these main characters are going to come together in the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

That part was very rough Marie. And like all of the great fantasy authors, I'm learning Gwynne doesn't shy away from killing a character you've grown to adore.

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

End of chapter 50 (view spoiler)[ WTF?! Biorr did what? Why the hell? Who is he? I have questions!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

70% into the book - up to chapter 39

Thoughts so far:

(view spoiler)[Orka is so badass! This woman could take on a hundred warriors and probably still be standing after a fight - might be bleeding but she would be standing! :) Her mother fighting skills are awesome! Whatever it takes to find her son she will do it!

With Varg - I can slowly see the emergence of how he is growing into his role to become a Bloodsworn.

Elvar is a fighter as well. Love the fighting skills shown in the descriptions. :) (hide spoiler)]

I do have a question for the ones of you that have read this book and maybe you can describe to me what I am reading. :)

(view spoiler)[What kind of creature is a tennur? I am thinking they are like evil pixies or some type of bats maybe? I read that fight in Chapter 38 with Elvar and the descriptions of the "tennur" creatures reminds me of the pixies in Harry Potter for some reason. (hide spoiler)] Please enlighten me. :)

[Vickie]

It's funny, Marie, that was discussed when a bunch of us read it in the fantasy group.😄

This is what John Gwynne said about them in an interview... (view spoiler)["I also made up a few of my own, like the tennur, who are winged, hairless rat-like creatures that have an obsessive taste for human teeth." (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Vickie wrote: "It's funny, Marie, that was discussed when a bunch of us read it in the fantasy group.😄

This is what John Gwynne said about them in an interview... [spoilers removed]"

Well that description reminds me of the (view spoiler)[winged pixies in Harry Potter as that is what they look like but more evil. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Felina]

I want to read this one! I probably won’t get to it in October but I’ll get to it soon. Ha ha.