Countdown to 2023 – Day 23 ‘SLEIGH BELLS’ (8 days remaining)
23 December 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Countdown to 2023, In the Shadow of the Gods, John Gwynne, Sleigh Bells, The Bloodsworn Saga #1, The Hunger of the Gods
Today is day 23 of my countdown to 2023. Today’s prompt is ‘Sleigh Bells’. The prompts can be found here if you want to join in. I’m hoping to use mostly books read this year. Let’s begin:
SLEIGH BELLS (A series that you want to ring out the praise for)
For this prompt I have to give a shout out for a series that I’m loving. The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods. Wow – fantastic so far, I am so looking forward to seeing where Gwynne takes us next. Highly recommended:
Tomorrow: Christmas Eve – One of your most anticipated books for 2023
Friday Face Off : Gigantic
28 July 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, In the Shadow of the Gods, John Gwynne, The Bloodsworn Saga #1, The Bloodsworn Saga #2, The Hunger of the Gods
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
I’ve added themes in below. For information, I’m trying out some new ideas so along with coming up with particular items for book covers I thought we could also look for certain elements contained within the book or that play a large part in the story – this really broadens things out because I have plenty of more ideas with this – I’ve gone for a few of the Tough Travel Themes (so a book with that theme – just choose any book – the theme isn’t necessarily on the cover, then compare covers), also, I’ve thrown in some genres and some colours. Hopefully this will open things out a little and give us some more freedom to come up with new books.
This week’s theme:
Gigantic – monsters, giants, buildings, insects, anything that takes your fancy
So, I haven’t quite managed to start catching up yet this week as I was hoping. Things have just been very busy after everyone departed and I’m still not quite up to scratch. But I’m happy to report that I’ve got back to my reading now and hopefully will have a couple of reviews next week and then back to blog hopping 😀
This week I had a definite couple of coves in mind for this whole ‘gigantic’ theme. It’s a slight cheat because i’m comparing two books in a series rather than comparing different covers for just one book. This series fits this week’s theme so perfectly I couldn’t resist. Plus it’s a series that I’m absolutely loving so couldn’t help taking the opportunity to shout about it some more. The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. The Shadow of the Gods and The Hunger of the Gods. Check out the two covers:
My favourite
This feels like an unusual choice for me as I’m usually all about the dragons – but just look at that face! Come on, it’s brilliant. Which is your favourite?
If you’re taking part in this week’s theme feel free to leave your link in the comments below.
If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next Week’s Theme : Tough Travel Tropes – out for summer – school or academic setting (This is a book where the content fits the theme even if the covers don’t).
2022
The Hunger of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga #2) by John Gwynne. #WyrdAndWonder : Book Review
2 May 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #WyrdAndWonder, John Gwynne, The Bloodsworn Saga #2, The Hunger of the Gods
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Even Better Than The First
Almost a year ago today I posted my review for The Shadow of the Gods. It was gushing. TSofGs was an absolutely fantastic start to series, I gave it an unabashed 5* for the absolute joy in reading that it inspired in me. So, how did The Hunger of the Gods stack up? It was even better. I don’t know how that’s possible but there you go – does that mean I rated the first book too highly? Not at all it simply means that I’m going to have to start adding extra little stars to this series. Be aware that this review may contain spoilers for book 1 so bear that in mind before reading.
To avoid this review turning into a dissertation I’m going to give only a brief overview of the plot here. We continue immediately where book 1 left off with the release of a dragon God. I mean, seriously, people, who would ever have thought that was a good idea? But, here we are, Lik-Rifa is released and has a vision of a new age wrought in blood. Meanwhile, Orka remains steadfast in the hunt for her son and has some fearsome company in her quest. The Bloodsworn have their very own mission with one of their own, Varg, having his own side quest and then we have Elvar and the Battle-grim, determined to win fame and glory and make daring rescues of their own.
I mean, on the face of it, when you spell it all out in that way, it seems like there’s a lot going on here but in actual fact it doesn’t feel overly complicated or busy when you’re reading. If anything it’s quite the opposite, it just all comes together so very well. I enjoyed all the switches in storylines and can genuinely say that this is such an exciting read because of that. There’s a lot of action, battles, politics and squirm-inducing critters but at the same time Gwynne takes the time to weave in the history and lore of the place and develop the characters really successfully as the story moves forward. The motivations are all so believable and there’s an epic sense of scope, particularly when you look at the Gods. In fact, let’s just take a moment to look at this aspect of the story. Clearly, this won’t be the first time that seasoned fantasy readers will have encountered Gods on this scale with all the sibling rivalry involved but what I love here is that all the Gods have their own natures linked to particular animals and over time, through interactions with humans, some of these traits have been passed on – such descendants being known as the Tainted. I love this aspect of the story and the way it changes the nature of the battles involved.
Gwynne is an author who excels at action scenes and all them are breathtakingly described. I had my heart in my throat every time shields locked wondering whether any favourites would fall under the axe, and I’m not going to lie, this is an author who isn’t shy of killing off some of his people so don’t become complacent in that respect because anything can happen. But, it’s not all action. There’s wonderful moments of camaraderie and banter, or cunning snippets of other scenes playing out and weaving the story together. The pacing is just so well planned and I loved the way that as the story progresses you have these shorter chapters that really pack a punch. I mean in one respect, as the tension rose I found myself thinking ‘nooooooo’ when we jumped pov just as something tantalising was revealed, everything became so intense and yet at the same time I have to acknowledge it drove my reading on into the early hours with the age old ‘just one more chapter’.
I don’t know what more I can say, I feel like I’m waxing lyrical about this and I’m in danger of going overboard with the praise but I can’t help myself. I’m having such a good time with this series that I don’t want anyone to miss out. A fantastic storyline, amazing characters, pacing perfection, sublime writing, some downright icky characters – all I can say right now is the thing with the tongues! Why, just why was there a need to go there? If you love fantasy and you’re not reading this series then I implore you, do yourself a favour and get on board. I have so much emotion right now – I’m watching Gwynne and thinking it’s going to be a long wait for the next book.
That is all.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5* (I would actually give it 5.5 if I could!)
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
1 May 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, John Gwynne, The Hunger of the Gods, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
I’ve been somewhat absent on the blog in the past couple of weeks. Long story short I’ve been helping my parents out a little and family issues have just taken over. Touch wood (or my dense noggin) things seem to be improving so I’m hoping that things will finally calm down and I can get back to reading and blogging. It has been a strange few months for sure and every time I get back on track something comes along to upset the apple cart. Fingers crossed for the rest of the year will be nice to me. In reading news I’ve finished my Gwynne read. I’ll be reviewing that tomorrow. All I can say is WOW. This book = mind blown. I am undone.
Books read this week:
The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne. Literally, I beg you to read this series! The HotG has got to be not only one of the best reads so far this year but quite possibly one of my favourite top ten reads ever. Seriously. I don’t joke about these things. Just, please, pretty please with a cherry on top, if you love fantasy you simply must pick up this series.
Next Week’s Reads:
So, given the above, together with completing SPFBO (the finalist table is here – this year our winner is fantasy/romance which was a wonderful surprise – I’m rather behind on my reading so plan on going on a reading fury. Wish me luck. This week I’m going to mix it up and try and complete The Girl and the Moon by Mark Lawrence (one of my most anticipated books). Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher. This is my first book by this author and I can’t deny the excitement is real. The Night They Vanished by Vanessa Savage to throw in a thriller and change the mood.
- The Iron Crown by LL MacRae
- Reign and Ruin by JD Evans
Outstanding Reviews
The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (spoiler alert – it was most excellent!)