The shadow of the gods

Gwynne's new series is set in a world inspired by Norse mythology and culture. The gods have been killed, and to worship them is a crime, as is having their gifts or blood. Those that are tainted, or god-touched, have to hide their abilities or are in danger of being used for them. Mythical creatures, called vaesen, are similarly hunted, in part because they can kill humans, and mercenary warrior bands roam the land killing off vaesen for pay. Death is an ever-present part of this world, and is familiar to the three main characters: Vorg, an ex-slave; Elvar, a member of a mercenary group; and Orka, a farmer with a story to tell. The world is wonderfully rendered with attention paid to what makes the Norse sagas entertaining. The characters are each in pursuit of their own goals, while also part of a larger movement. Someone in their world wants a return to the old ways and is kidnapping children to do this. The three characters are swept up in this larger plot in different ways, which just makes the story richer. The many layers provide a lavish feast for any reader. A great companion to Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology (2017).

Three hundred years after the fall of the gods, humans navigate the fjords and tundra of a broken world in the jam-packed Norse-flavored epic of blood oaths and vengeance that launches the Bloodsworn Saga series from Gwynne (A Time of Courage). To protect themselves from the monsters that now roam freely, humans scavenge divine bones and relics and chase rumors of the legendary last battlefield of the gods, where the world-tree guards their divine prison. Some go so far as to plot to use the blood of children to raise the gods. Orka, a newly widowed shieldmaid, pursues the trafficker who stole her son for this very purpose, as do the crew of the dragon-ship Wave-Jarl, whose child prisoner was taken in an attack. Also faring northward are the Bloodsworn, a mercenary company sent by Queen Helka to stop the monsters from killing her people. Blood-soaked battles against trolls and frost-spiders build to a fierce rendezvous at the foot of the shattered world-tree. Gwynne, a Viking reenactor, puts in the work, with fine historical details--especially in descriptions of weaponry--that make the story come to life. The plethora of Viking gangs and Norse kennings require some work to keep straight, but fans of the era will be delighted with the accuracy. This is a duly exciting start to the series. Agent: Julia Crisp, Julia Crisp Literary. (May)