"A satisfying and riveting read. The well-realized 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



"The world is wonderfully rendered with attention paid to what makes the Norse sagas entertaining….The many layers provide a lavish feast for any reader. A great companion to Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology."?Booklist (starred review)



"A masterfully crafted, brutally compelling Norse-inspired epic."?Anthony Ryan



"There is not a dull chapter in this fantasy epic. As tension mounts with each passing page, Gwynne delivers exhilarating fights and gruesome battles with such vivid prose the choreography jumps off the page."?Vulture (Best of the Year)



"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



"A masterclass in storytelling . . . epic, gritty fantasy with an uncompromising amount of heart."?FanFiAddict



"Quintessential Gwynne, honed to perfection . . . 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



JOHNÂ GWYNNE

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