The stage is set for bigger face-offs, the myths are coming alive, the bards' sagas are starting to look bloodier and brutal in real life and the monsters are all too real. The world balance is tilting now and gut-wrenching truths are being revealed. This opening salvo in this grey, cold brutal world of myths, magic and monsters ,is John Gwynne writing at the peak of his form. Another winner from this master-class storyteller. Immersive, dark and epic in all the sense of that word. If you like fantastically set up, visceral battles (think shield-walls, long axes and more guts than glory!) compelling characters who are broken, flawed and all too real and one of the most amazing norse-mythology inspired worlds brought alive, The Shadow of the Gods is destined to become one of your favorite books of the year. It certainly is mine!