(The Shadow of the Gods) is the first novel in John Gwynne's Bloodsworn Saga , a gritty, Norse-inspired epic fantasy set in the broken land of Vigrið. A century after the gods warred themselves to extinction, their powerful bones and descendants—known as the Tainted —remain targets for those seeking power and fame. The story follows three main perspectives:

: A former thrall (slave) who has escaped his masters to find the truth behind his sister's murder. He joins the legendary mercenary band known as the Bloodsworn , finding a sense of brotherhood while searching for justice.

: A fierce hunter and former warrior living a secluded life with her family. When her husband is murdered and her son Breca is kidnapped by a mysterious group, she embarks on a relentless, bloody quest for vengeance and rescue.