“I love this world…this is Gena Showalter at her best!”—J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author“The Gods of War series is my new obsession.”—Christine Feehan, #1 New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld, introduces a scorching new paranormal romance series…Gods of WarKnox of Iviland, the most … bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld, introduces a scorching new paranormal romance series…Gods of War
Knox of Iviland, the most ruthless warrior in All War history, has spent his life fighting others to the death, winning new realms for his king. Now the stakes are higher than ever. If he prevails in the battle for Earth, his slave bands will be removed. Victory is his sole focus…until he meets her.
On an arctic getaway with her foster sister, street tough but vulnerable Vale London is shocked to stumble upon a cave filled with ancient gods waging epic combat. When she is inadvertently drawn into their war, she is forced to team up with an unlikely ally—the sexy god who makes her burn with desire.
Though Vale is his enemy, Knox is consumed with lust and a fierce need to protect her. But only one combatant can triumph, and he will have to choose: live for freedom, or die for love.
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I am a big Gena Showalter fan, so I was excited when I found out she was developing a new series. I was also interested by the subject. I like the concept of warriors from different realms being sent to a planet in a winner takes the planet scenario, in a contest called the All War. In this case, they are fighting for Terra, aka Earth. It is sort of like the Hunger games on a galactic level. The warriors are essentially slaves that are fighting for their rulers.
I admit; it took me a couple of chapters to get into the story. I think that often happens with a new series. A lot of ground work needs to be laid out.
I enjoyed the characters. Knox of Iviland, mistaken for the god Loki on Earth, is a powerful warrior who wants to win the war to become free and avenge the death of his daughter. He is a hardened and fearless warrior. That is until he meets human Vale London. Vale accidentally becomes a contestant in the All War. Both characters develop a lot throughout the story. Especially Vale, who is thrown into an environment she didn’t know existed. Vale and Knox have great chemistry. I like how they challenge each other.
SHADOW AND ICE is skillfully written. The scenes are well described and imaginative. I like that the story starts out on Earth in the past 1026 AA (After Alliance) during Earth’s Vikings and ends up in the present day. This is one of those stories that becomes more riveting as you continue to read it. I am interested in seeing where the series goes. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
From the start I was loving the new world Showalter created. The old-world/sci-fi boy that meets today’s millennial girl is a fantastic mashup that I just plain loved.
As the first in new series, Shadow and Ice, this book had me hooked right from the beginning. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Showalter novel and I forgot how much I love her writing. The passion mixed with just the right amount of humor is always spot on. I can hardly wait for more Gods of War.
Knox of Iviland, The God of Darkness – and no that doesn’t mean he’s Satan – his literal power is over shadows and darkness – although with his cold personality and icy way he treats his enemies some might consider him similar to the Lord of the Underworld. Shadow and Ice is a book filled with war and blood, but it is also filled with lots of humor, it’s a wonderful balance. Given Knox’s name – there are lots of adorable (p.s. he hates that word) opportunities to sex up his name that he doesn’t understand. He’s a man who is centuries years old and all the euphemisms and slangs of the twenty-first century don’t easily translate to a God of his time.
“Vale” Valerina London is just your ordinary girl out on vacation with her sister, Nola. Sure they might have been abandoned by their guide and left to potentially freeze to death in the vast tundra of the arctic, but every vacation has its setbacks, right? While venturing out to save their own lives, Vale stumbles upon the Gods who have been trapped in ice for centuries (they were mid-battle when they locked into their icy prisons and it just so happens that they begin to thaw when Vale stumbles upon them.)
“He’d known centuries had passed. He just hadn’t realized he’d gone thirteen hundred years without speaking with Ansel.”
Knox has more than just the gift of shadows and darkness, he also has a very intuitive insight he calls his eyaer. That insight speaks to him and has saved his life over and over again. The eyaer also tells him that Vale is necessary. As much as Knox does not want the complication of a woman in his life, he picks up the mortal – against her will mind you – and brings her with him as he escapes his icy prison. Knox has always worked alone. Alone is good. Alone has always kept him alive. His eyaer better be right or this mortal woman will get him killed before he has a chance to win the war.
“I’m not your friend. If you trust me, even for a moment, you’ll regret it.”
Vale isn’t keen on being kidnapped, even though it saves her from dying in the freezing tundra. She is ripped away from her sister, Nola, and that weighs on her mind throughout the entire story. Vale is no wallflower and gives as good as she gets. She didn’t have an easy life growing up and she isn’t willing to just sit around waiting for Knox to ravage her, kill her, or send her home without her sister. She either wants his help, wants to bed him, or just have him go through with his numerous threats already. She doesn’t sit patiently overly well. Willing to fight for what she wants may end up getting her killed, but it also may work in her favor when the time is right.
“Considering she’d beheaded a woman, gotten stabbed, been captured and kissed by a murderer only to be kidnapped by other murderers, today’s threats were just more of the same. Part of her new normal.”
Their push and pull, their give and take, neither trusting the other as neither should because who really trusts any stranger upon meeting them especially a man who calls himself the God of Darkness and a woman who can melt the icy heart of the very god himself?
The war is waging on, who will win?
Shadow and Ice by Gena Showalter is the First book in the Gods of War series. This is the story of Vale London and Knox of Iviland.
Knox knows nothing but being tough, fighting and surviving so he is unsure and not trusting of Vale when she stumbles into his world. But there is something about her that Knox can’t seem to stop his feelings from being drawn to her. Vale too is questing her feelings for the harsh Knox but they desire each other more than they can fight each other it seems.
Ms. Showlater has a way with tough alpha type men that seem to change when they meet the women they are to be with. I am a fan of her writing so for me this was just a pleasure to read.
There’s a reason why I’m such a huge fan of Gena Showalter and it’s because she writes phenomenal books!! I swear she must have a personal rule that every book she puts out meets all the guidelines for bad-assery. Knox is a swoon-worthy alpha that you’re sure to fall in love with and Vale is a firecracker of a woman who is so funny and strong. The heat between Knox and Vale is a scorching hot must-read! Seriously guys, everything Gena writes is pure gold so be sure that you do NOT miss out!
I loveeeeeed Shadow and Ice as it was an amazing start to the Gods of War series. I don’t even know how to describe it other than being an epic story filled with romance, adventure and adrenaline rushes galore. Think the Hunger Games but so much better. I loved Knox and Vale as they were sexy, strong and fantastic together. I loved their chemistry and how they were strong and independent on their own but together formed an amazing partnership.
Without giving away any spoilers, Valerina “Vale” London by chance comes across Knox of Iviland and a large group of combatants in an All War and unknowingly becomes a player in this high-stakes game of kill or be killed where there can only be one winner. But what happens when Knox and Vale as fellow competitors grow closer and form a connection.
This story was outstanding. The world building was extensive but something to be expected in a first book of a new series. I loved how Vale was a gamechanger for Knox as she roused all these foreign emotions he learned to turn off after countless years fighting in the All Wars. She was a new beginning for him. Likewise I loved how Knox was able to see the real Vale and helped combat her insecurities. All in all this was a great start to the series and I look forward to reading Bane and Nola’s book! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula