Author: John Gwynne
Pages: 500
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: 4th May 2021
Blurb from Goodreads:
This is the age of storm and murder.
After the old
gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of
their fall shattered the land of Vigrio.
Now, power-hungry
jarls carve out petty kingdoms, and monsters stalk the shadow-haunted
woods and mountains. A world where the bones of the dead gods still
hold great power, promising fame and fortune for those brave - or
desperate - enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war
echo over the plains and across the fjords, fate follows the
footsteps of three people: a huntress searching for her missing son,
a jarl's daughter who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle
fame, and a thrall who has cast off his chains and now fights
alongside the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
All
three will shape the fate of the world, as it once more teeters on
the edge of chaos.
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My Review:
*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley*
Gods once ruled the land of Vigrio, but their war led to nearly all of them dying and monsters being released.
Now humans rule and fight for power, and those deemed Tainted, who have the blood of the Gods in their veins, are hunted or enslaved.
There is unease spreading throughout the land, and many lives will be forever changed by what comes next - including a former warrior who has left violence behind for a family life, a slave seeking vengeance, and a woman thirsting for a life of battle fame over a life of being a pawn living in luxury.
Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I am glad that I gave it a try.
There are three protagonists: Orka, a former warrior who had set down her axe to settle down and have a family; Varg, a slave seeking vengeance for his sister's death; and Elvar, who left behind a life of luxury to chase glory in battle.
While Orka was my favourite character, I did very much like all three of the protagonists and enjoyed reading their interactions with others, and the bonds/friendships they formed with other characters. I particularly found Elvar and Grend's relationship intriguing.
The setting of Vigrio was interesting and I thought the world-building was very good. I could definitely tell it was Norse-inspired.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout, although it did feel maybe a little bit too long for me. However, once things started to come together towards the end, it did feel satisfying after all the build-up and the ending was very good. I am intrigued to see what happens next.
I would definitely read another book by the author.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, solid read.
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