It is exceptionally done, and I loved getting into the minds of these highly flawed, yet engrossing characters. Gwynne ingeniously provides us with the viewpoints of some of “the enemies” of the main three protagonists. “The Hunger of the Gods” adds two POVs that were absent in “The Shadow of the Gods”. But all roads seem to lead to Elvar confronting her past, her noble upbringing, and the ruthless father who she spurned, to forge her own path. She must lead the Battle-Grim to further riches and glory, and all while accomplishing the mission that binds her to Upsa, which is to rescue Upsa’s son. After overcoming challenges to her leadership, Elvar now leads the Battle-Grim, and is discovering the burdens of that leadership. The third POV is that of Elvar, warrior of noble birth, still trying to prove herself, and seek acclaim, among the indomitable Battle-Grim mercenaries. The second POV is Varg, former fugitive, and new member of the Bloodsworn crew, who is just beginning to discover his capabilities as both fighter and inheritor (like many of the other characters) of magical blood that can transform him into a killing machine.

But now Orka’s journey to rescue Breca has reunited her with the Bloodsworn, of which she used to be the leader. But not even a god can stand in the way of Orka’s burning desire for vengeance, and to save her only child. Orka’s life has been reduced, essentially, to a single minded purpose: to retrieve her son Breca, who has been abducted, and lies in the clutches of forces loyal to Lik-Rifa.

The first POV is Orka, a widow, mother, and unmatched fighter. This spectacular Norse-inspired does not disappoint with its second installment.Īs in book one, we are treated to three very distinctive and fascinating POVs. So continues the epic saga by heralded fantasy author John Gwynne, begun in “The Shadow of the Gods”, Book One of “The Bloodsworn”, continued in Book Two, “The Hunger of the Gods”. But gods have their own purposes, and the wolf-god Ulfrir is not one to easily suffer being tamed by humans.

But that god is also dead, and will need to be raised by mortal hands, and dark magic, if Lik-Rifa is to be defeated. The paths of the Battle-Grim and the Bloodsworn collide, as the dragon-god LIk-Rifa, now awoken, makes her plans for world domination, and only the might of another god can hope to oppose her. Without futher introduction, let’s get to the review! This book kept me reading compulsively the past two days with barely a break only to shatter me into ity bity pieces as only John Gwynne can do! Yet another new personal ‘book of the year’ candidate in THE HUNGER OF THE GODS! As with any Gwynne book, the fight scenes are choreographed to perfection.

The hunger of the gods john gwynne