Book Review - THE FURY OF THE GODS by John Gwynne

 

(Title: The Fury of the Gods / Author: John Gwynne / Publisher: Orbit / Publication Date: October 22, 2024 / Total Pages: 528)

Back Cover Blurb

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE FATE OF VIGRID APPROACHES.

Varg has overcome the trials of his past and become an accepted member of the Bloodsworn, but now he and his newfound comrades face their biggest challenge yet, slaying a dragon.

Elvar is struggling to consolidate her power in Snakavik, where she faces threats from within and without. As she fights to assert her authority in readiness for the coming conflict, she faces a surely insurmountable task: reining in the ferocity of a wolf god.

As Biorr and his warband make their way north, eager for blood, Gudvarr pyrsues a mission of his own, hoping to win Lik-Rifa's favour and further his own ambitions.

All paths lead to Snakavik, where the lines are being drawn for the final battle - a titanic clash that will shake the foundations of the world, and bear witness to the true fury of the gods.

Review

This final entry in John Gwynne's brilliant Norse-inspired Bloodsworn Saga has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. This trilogy is set in such a harsh desolate terrain and unforgiving climate and yet the worldbuilding itself and the characters who inhabit it are some of the most vibrant and full of life that I have ever come across. Starting with the warrior, turned farmer, turned battle tested warrior again, Orka. Her singularity of focus in trying to find her kidnapped son is admirable and at times awe-inspiring. Yet this isn't even close to the most impressive of her qualities. I became so connected with her in particular which made what transpired in this final volume even more high stakes and white knuckle inducing as someone who has lived and died with her every thought and action up to this point. Her POV chapters are interspersed with Elvar, Varg, Biorr and Gudvarr, each a major player in both the "good" and "bad" sides, carrying the plot all the way up to the absolutely heart-stopping climax.

I shouldn't be surprised anymore at John Gwynne's skill as both a masterful storyteller and also a conveyer of thrilling action scenes. There are plenty of moments in THE FURY OF THE GODS where I was actually breathless as some of my favorite characters in this story were put to the test in harrowing scenarios. I've said before that I think the reason Gwynne makes you care about his characters so much is not only the fact that he builds them up through intensely personal dialogue, but then just when you've grown attached he will not hesitate to put them in peril, and in some cases, kill them off. His tales are not for the faint of heart and not for those who constantly crave happy endings. Some endings unfortunately are not happy in the least for some of these people and that's what I really love about Gwynne as an author. You never know when he might pull the rug out from underneath you.

After a brief buildup, this final entry really takes off and I was happy that I got to experience all of the major confrontations that I was hoping to see. It felt as if much animosity was building up over the past two books and to see that finally be released in such a n evocative fashion was immensely satisfying. That's another John Gwynne trademark though, he never leaves you walking away disappointed at the end of a book or series. You definitely always get your money's worth. I won't get into any particulars other than to say the ending of this books, as with his previous two series, left me dazzled, heartbroken, uplifted, with a sense of glory and triumph that is tinged slightly with the bittersweet. I wouldn't have it any other way and it made this book such the wonderful conclusion that I expected it would be.

All I can say upon finishing THE FURY OF THE GODS is that John Gwynne has pulled off another stunning epic of a fantasy series. It is filled with Norse folklore and locales, dragons and resurrected gods, and characters who don't just leap off the page, they soar into your consciousness and make you think about them even after you put the book down. If you have been searching for a fantasy series that will move you and make you feel almost every emotion possible, you should pick up the Bloodsworn Saga. And if you haven't had the chance to read any other John Gwynne books, please go and correct that immediately. His back catalog is well worth the time and effort to devote. In all honesty, there's simply not too many authors out there who can tell a story quite like him.

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