The Shadow of the Gods

Rating: 3.25 stars.I honestly don’t know how to begin this review because I have a lot of mixed emotions about The Shadow of the Gods. I have genuine complaints, a fair bit of ranting to do, and yet, hear me out, I did truly enjoy certain aspects of this book. Still, it felt unnecessarily long at times, as though the story stretched beyond what was needed. Ironically, I think the book might have worked better if it were divided into separate parts focusing on each character’s storyline, giving readers a stronger chance to connect with them individually. But anyway, let’s get into this review, and I’ll try my best to express everything I felt after finishing it.── .✦Starting with the characters, I genuinely think each of them was strong within their own part of the story. I appreciated the way they were built up and how their journeys unfolded throughout the book, that’s something I’ll definitely give credit for. However, there were moments where certain sections felt so flat that I found myself losing focus or simply not caring about what was happening. It’s frustrating because the characters had real potential to be deeply compelling, strong, interesting, and layered, but at times the narrative just didn’t hold my attention, which made it harder to fully connect with them.Orka:Alright, starting with my favorite character in the entire book, because honestly, who wouldn’t love her? She’s strong, intense, and complex in a way that makes you question your own life choices for not fighting with the same level of determination. I’ve read stories centered on female rage before, but this one stands out as something truly unique. Her energy and drive feel endless, and I was completely obsessed with that. What I loved most is how sharp and intelligent she is; her thoughts are calculated, her instincts are quick, and she genuinely comes across as someone with a strategic mind. On top of that, her relentless determination to find her child adds powerful emotional weight to the story and becomes one of the strongest motivating forces in the entire narrative. Varg:On the other hand, we have our more thoughtful character, the one constantly carrying his sister in his mind. I was immediately drawn to him in the opening chapters. There was something quietly compelling about his perspective, his sense of duty, his emotional restraint. I genuinely thought he would become one of my favorites.But somewhere in the middle, he lost me. I can’t fully explain why, maybe it was the way his reactions started to feel repetitive, or how his emotional tone settled into something that reminded me too much of a wounded, overwhelmed child. I understood why he was the way he was. His behavior made sense for his history. I respected his journey. But despite that, I just couldn’t connect to him personally.That said, I truly appreciated his storyline and the role he played in the narrative. And more than anything, I loved the relationships that formed around him, the camaraderie, the loyalty, the bonds forged through hardship. Those dynamics were incredibly rewarding to watch unfold. So while he wasn’t my cup of tea as a character, the space he occupied in the story absolutely mattered, and I enjoyed what his presence brought to the larger journey. Elva:Elvar’s storyline focuses heavily on ambition and the pursuit of warrior glory, and while it adds important political and military depth to the story, it was the arc I struggled with the most emotionally. Her journey is driven by the desire to prove herself, to rise in status, and to earn a name worthy of remembrance. Conceptually, that’s compelling, especially in a culture where reputation is everything, but in execution, her chapters sometimes felt distant. I understood her motivations, I saw the stakes she was playing with, yet I didn’t always feel emotionally invested in her personal struggles the same way I was with the other characters.That said, her arc plays a crucial role in showing the larger structure of this world: the hierarchy of warbands, the politics between leaders, and the relentless chase for power and recognition. Through her, we see how ambition can be both a strength and a weakness, how the pursuit of glory can push someone forward but also strip away vulnerability. I appreciated what her storyline added to the broader narrative, even if it didn’t grip me on a personal level as strongly as Orka.── .✦ Wold Building:The world-building in this book is insanely good. The setting is so vast, varied, and fascinating that it truly feels like a living world rather than just a backdrop for the story. From warbands and mead halls to cursed lands, ancient ruins, and remnants of fallen gods, every place feels distinct and thought-out. There’s a raw, harsh atmosphere to the world that perfectly matches the brutal tone of the story, and you can tell a lot of care went into crafting the culture, traditions, and mythology behind it. Even when the pacing dragged at times, the richness of the world itself kept me engaged and curious about what else was out there beyond the page.One of the most awesome aspects of the world-building is the blood system. The idea that the power of the dead gods still lingers in their blood, passed down through generations, is such a unique and fascinating concept. It adds an entirely new layer to the magic system, making power feel inherited, rare, and dangerous rather than something easily learned. It also creates tension within the world, those with god-blood are feared, hunted, or revered, which naturally shapes politics, warfare, and social hierarchy. I loved how this element wasn’t just thrown in for fantasy flavor but actually influenced character motivations, conflicts, and the direction of the plot. It made the mythology feel alive and deeply woven into the story rather than just background lore.── .✦ Writing Style:The writing style is a bit of a mixed experience for me. On one hand, the prose is beautiful in many aspects, detailed, atmospheric, and vivid in its descriptions. But on the other hand, it isn’t very welcoming as a reader. At times, it feels dense and distant, making it harder to sink fully into the story. Instead of pulling me in effortlessly, I often felt like I had to adjust to the writing rather than being naturally immersed by it. It’s a style that fits the harsh world and tone of the book, but it can also create a barrier that slows down engagement, especially in the earlier parts of the story.── .✦Overall, The Shadow of the Gods completely put me through it. I admired it, I complained about it, I got bored, I got obsessed, sometimes all within the same reading session. It’s the kind of book that makes you sigh dramatically, close it for a moment, and then open it again because the world is just too good to walk away from. The lore, the blood system, the raw brutality, and those flashes of powerful character moments kept pulling me back even when the pacing tested my patience.Was it perfect? No. Did it frustrate me? Absolutely. But did it leave me thinking about it long after I finished the last page? Without question. This book is intense, demanding, and occasionally exhausting, yet somehow addictive. And honestly, I respect any story that can make me rant, fangirl, and overanalyze all at once.And of course, a huge, heartfelt thanks to my sweet bestie SK for buddy-reading this book with me! I honestly don’t think I would’ve survived all the ups, downs, rants, and fangirling without you by my side. Reading this together made the experience ten times more fun, and I’m so grateful we got to scream, swoon, and obsess over this wild ride as a team.>>> ──────── .✦˚⋆