The Librain……retired

Welcome to this week’s Reading Roundup! When I started to write the post this morning, I thought that it was going to be a very short one. I was only about 60% through my latest book, John Gwynne’s The Fury of the Gods #03 Bloodsworn Saga. However, I decided to read a few pages during the morning and I became so gripped by the tale that I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the whole book!

This is the blurb…

“The Fury of the Gods is the earth-shattering final book in John Gwynne’s bestselling Norse-inspired epic fantasy series, packed with myth, magic and bloody vengeance

THE FINAL BATTLE FOR THE FATE OF VIGRIÐ 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 pursues 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.”

And this is the response that I wrote on Goodreads immediately after I read the final page…

The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What an ending! The final part of The Bloodsworn Saga was simply terrific! The first half of the book builds up quite slowly, with the odd skirmish here and there, into one of the longest battles that I have ever read. I am also certain that I have never read a battle scene like this before: incredibly brave men and women (and children), insane numbers of different mythical creatures, “deep cunning” and evil deeds, betrayal and loyalty, blood and guts, even more blood and even more guts, gouts and rivers of blood, hacked off limbs and gouged out eyes, broken wings, twists and turns, heroes and heroines, all set in a Viking style world. The main characters are interesting and their different points of view hold the reader’s attention right until the end, which for some of them is rightfully rather nasty!

This book certainly took my mind away from any worries or concerns. They paled against this violent and bloody world building.

How will John Gwynne follow this series? I can’t wait to find out!

View all my reviews

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I hope you are all enjoying your reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Hello and welcome to this week’s Reading Roundup post. I have been struggling with my reading during the last few weeks due to the stress of moving house and my chronic ill health. We recently had a heatwave in this part of the UK, so that didn’t help either. Cooler weather has now prevailed so I was able to finish my book.

Those of you who have been following my reading journey may remember that I have been rereading John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga. The third part of the trilogy was published recently and I decided to start again from the beginning. My memory issues mean that I quickly forget details of the plot, which isn’t great when reading a series!

The book was The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne, #02 Bloodsworn Saga. Here is the blurb…

“THE DEAD GODS ARE RISING.

Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison. Now she plots a new age of blood and conquest.

As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own–and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance.

Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god.

Their only hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead…and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth.”

I enjoyed reading the book for the second time and I think that the bloodthirsty theme worked well for my mood at the moment! Anyway, here is the response that I wrote on Goodreads…

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great book from the amazing imagination of John Gwynne. I am really enjoying this fantasy series set in a Viking-like world with strong male and female characters, the revival of dead gods and interesting creatures. The story is told from different points of view, which can get rather confusing, and I had to stop several times to work out where we were and refer to the map.

Gwynne’s writing gives the reader a very fast-paced and exciting rollercoaster ride through his world. I can’t wait for the next instalment! Just one issue. Perhaps this book was a little rushed or the editor didn’t get enough time with it. I found several errors, mainly homonyms, which should not have been there! Hence four stars.

All-in-all, a fantastic fantasy read!

View all my reviews

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I have now started reading the final book, The Fury of the Gods. When I finish that I think I will try a very different genre for a change!

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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