About the Author

John Gwynne studied and lectured at Brighton University. He's played double bass in a rock 'n' roll band and travelled the USA and Canada. He is married with four children and lives in Eastbourne, where he is part of a Viking re-enactment group. When not writing, he can often be found standing in a shield wall with his three sons about him.

Reviews

A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic * Anthony Ryan *
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 *
Visceral, heart-breaking and unputdownable * Jay Kristoff, NYT bestselling author of Empire of the Vampire *
A duly exciting start to the series * Publishers Weekly *
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 * FanFiAddict *
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 Tattooed Book Geek *
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 * Fantasy Hive *
John Gwynne has written another classic and easily one of the best books of the year * Under the Radar SFF Books *
A brilliant Norse-influenced fantasy that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. Another dazzling epic story from a true master * Out of This World SFF Reviews *
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 * BookNest *
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 * Booklist *
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 * Polygon *
John Gwynne writes some of the most blood-pumping battle scenes that I have ever read * Fantasy Book Nerd *
Wonderfully atmospheric, and readers looking for a Nordic flavored fantasy adventure will find plenty to love * Fantasy Book Critic *
John Gwynne is the closest we have to an inheritor of David Gemmell's mantle as master of heroic fantasy with grit and heart * Mark Lawrence *
The best book I've read this year * Miles Cameron *