Author: John Gwynne (Goodreads)
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
The Shadow of the Gods (Book 1)
The Hunger of the Gods (Book 2)
The Fury of the Gods (Book 3)
The Bloodsworn Saga isn’t just another Viking-inspired fantasy. It’s a war cry. John Gwynne, already a legend in the genre thanks to The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone, takes everything we love about epic fantasy: brutal combat, larger-than-life characters, and a world soaked in mythology. Then, he dials it up to eleven in this newly completed book series.
This trilogy isn’t just good. It’s the kind of series that makes you want to grab an axe and challenge your neighbor for dominance.
From the moment The Shadow of the Gods kicks off, Gwynne introduces us to a brutal world shaped by the corpses of fallen gods. By the time The Hunger of the Gods raises the stakes, we’re locked in an unstoppable spiral of blood, vengeance, and Norse-inspired carnage. And then comes The Fury of the Gods, the epic, pulse-pounding conclusion that delivers everything we could have hoped for and then some.
A World Forged in Battle and Blood
The land of Vigrid is a place where legends are carved in steel and written in blood. This isn’t a cozy medieval kingdom with castles and chivalry. This is a brutal, unforgiving world where survival is earned through skill and savagery. The influence of Nordic fantasy is undeniable, from the clans and their oaths to the whispers of old gods whose power still lingers in the bones of the earth.
And let’s talk about those gods. Rather than being distant mythological figures, their legacy is felt in every corner of Vigrid. Whether it’s their monstrous descendants, the god-touched warriors, or the ominous forces looking to resurrect them, the influence of the divine looms over every battle, every betrayal, and every desperate fight for survival.
The Main Characters: More Than Just Warriors
This series shines because of its characters. Every major player has a journey that feels earned, brutal, and deeply human. Often times in a book series you hit a character’s chapter that you just know you can speedread through. The Bloodsworn saga holds none of this – every character’s story is exciting and interesting.
Orka: One of the Most Badass Fantasy Leads Ever
Fantasy has no shortage of powerful female protagonists, but Orka Skullsplitter stands in a league of her own. She isn’t a queen, a sorceress, or a chosen one destined to fulfill some grand prophecy. She’s a mother, a warrior, and a survivor—a woman shaped by loss and hardened by the brutal world of Vigrid. From the moment her journey begins in The Shadow of the Gods, Orka’s tale is one of raw, relentless vengeance, and few characters in modern fantasy embody fury quite like she does.
What sets Orka apart isn’t just her ability to cut down enemies with terrifying efficiency—though she does that with an almost supernatural intensity—it’s the sheer emotional weight behind every action she takes. She fights not for glory or power but for something deeply personal, something that makes her unstoppable. Her combat scenes are some of the most visceral in the series, filled with bone-crunching brutality and a level of precision that makes every strike feel real. But Orka isn’t just violence—she’s heartbreak, she’s resilience, she’s the quiet strength of a woman who refuses to break no matter what the world throws at her.
John Gwynne masterfully balances her blood-drenched quest with moments of aching tenderness, showing the woman behind the warrior. She isn’t just a force of nature—she’s a mother who loves fiercely, a widow who carries grief like a second skin, and a warrior who never stops moving forward. Every time she steps onto the page, the stakes feel higher, and by the time she reaches her final reckoning, it’s clear—Orka Skullsplitter isn’t just one of the best characters in The Bloodsworn Saga, she’s one of the most unforgettable figures in modern fantasy.
Elvar: The Making of a Legend
Elvar’s journey is one of ambition, leadership, and self-discovery, unfolding in a world where strength is everything and survival demands more than just skill with a blade. She begins as a fierce but untested warrior, determined to carve her own legend among the Bloodsworn. Yet, as the chaos of war and fate pull her deeper into the fray, she is forced to confront not just the brutality of battle, but the weight of the choices that come with power.
What starts as a pursuit of glory and battle-fame soon turns into something far more complex. Elvar finds herself in positions of command, where leadership is not about personal strength alone but about strategy, sacrifice, and the burdens that come with guiding others. She must navigate the brutal, treacherous world of Vigrid—not just as a warrior proving her worth, but as a leader making decisions that will shape the fate of those who follow her. The higher she rises, the more she is forced to question who she truly is and what she is willing to sacrifice in the name of honor and ambition.
Her arc is one of the most compelling in The Bloodsworn Saga, showcasing a transformation that is both thrilling and deeply emotional. From blood-soaked battlefields to the shadowy intrigues of power, Elvar’s story is one of resilience, evolution, and the cost of greatness.
Varg: From Chains to Brotherhood
Varg No-Sense is the heart of the trilogy. A former thrall who has lost everything, his story is one of survival, found family, and vengeance. On a quest to find his sister’s killer, he found himself the newest member of the Bloodsworn. The Bloodsworn become more than just a warband to him. They become his home, his new clan, and his reason to fight. His growth from an outsider desperate for vengeance to a warrior willing to lay down his life for his brothers-in-arms is one of the most satisfying arcs in the series.
Biorr and Gudvarr: Perspectives from the Other Side
While much of The Bloodsworn Saga follows warriors, seers, and survivors battling against the encroaching dark forces, Biorr and Gudvarr offer a striking contrast—two characters who stand on the opposite side of the conflict, each shaped by vastly different motivations.
Biorr is a loyal soldier whose faith in his cause begins to erode as the brutal realities of war set in. Once steadfast in his beliefs, he finds himself questioning the oaths he swore and the leaders he serves. His journey is one of disillusionment, forcing him to grapple with hard truths and decide whether honor means blind obedience or forging his own path.
Gudvarr, on the other hand, is a sniveling opportunist who does whatever it takes to survive. Lacking Biorr’s strength or conviction, he manipulates, schemes, and betrays as needed, ensuring he always lands on the winning side—at least for the moment. While despicable, he’s undeniably fascinating, a character whose cunning and cowardice make him both frustrating and compelling.
These two perspectives add depth to the saga, painting the conflict in shades of gray rather than simple good versus evil. Their arcs make the world feel richer and more complex, showing that survival isn’t just about strength—it’s about choices, consequences, and the price of loyalty.
The Battles: Gwynne Only Gets Better
If you’ve read Gwynne before, you know the man delivers when it comes to battle sequences. But in The Bloodsworn Saga, he outdoes himself. These aren’t just skirmishes or duels. They’re full-scale, blood-soaked, axe-swinging, shield-splintering clashes that make your heart race. Gwynne writes combat like he’s lived it, with every strike feeling weighty, every wound visceral, and every victory hard-earned.
By the time we reach The Fury of the Gods, the scale of warfare is absolutely staggering. We’re talking god-like creatures rampaging through battlefields, warriors drenched in blood and glory, and moments so intense they make you want to yell at your book. If you love epic fantasy battles that make you feel like you’re standing on the front lines, this series delivers in every possible way.
Do You Need to Read The Faithful and the Fallen First?
Not at all. The Bloodsworn Saga is a completely separate story with no direct ties to Gwynne’s previous works. That said, The Faithful and the Fallen is an incredible series and absolutely worth reading if you love epic fantasy with deep world-building, emotional character arcs, and thrilling battles. But if you want to dive into The Bloodsworn Saga first, you won’t be lost.
Why The Bloodsworn Saga Stands Among the Greats
John Gwynne has already cemented himself as a titan of modern fantasy, and The Bloodsworn Saga proves why. This trilogy takes the best elements of Viking fantasy and epic fantasy and blends them into a story that is brutal, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. The world-building is rich, the characters are legendary, and the action is some of the best in the genre.
If you haven’t picked up this series yet, now is the time. Just be warned, once you enter Vigrid, there’s no turning back.
Final Verdict: Read The Damn Series
If you’re a fan of The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, or just epic fantasy that hits like a warhammer to the chest, The Bloodsworn Saga is a must-read. This is storytelling at its most raw and powerful, filled with characters who will stick with you long after the final page.
Highly recommended.
