When Shadow Moon is released from prison early after the death of his wife, he meets Mr. Wednesday and is recruited as his bodyguard. Shadow discovers that this may be more than he bargained for.

As Mr. Wednesday begins recruitment for the coming battle, Shadow Moon travels with him to Chicago and agrees to a very high stakes game of checkers with the old Slavic god, Czernobog.

Shadow questions his decision to work for Mr. Wednesday after learning of his plan to rob a bank. Shadow makes a surprising discovery when he returns to his motel room.

The story of Laura's life and death is explored, including her first encounter with Shadow and how exactly she came to be sitting on the edge of his motel room bed.

Shadow's emotional reunion with his dead and unfaithful wife is interrupted when he and Mr. Wednesday are kidnapped by the New Gods.

On the run after the New Gods' show of force, Shadow and Mr. Wednesday seek safe haven with one of Mr. Wednesday's oldest friends, Vulcan, God of the Fire and the Forge.

Following her brief reunion with Shadow, Laura turns to an unlikely travel companion to find her way back to life; Mad Sweeney's long, winding, and often tragic past is explored.

On the eve of war, Mr. Wednesday attempts to recruit the Old God Ostara, but needs Mr. Nancy's help in making a good impression and winning her over.

Following the epic showdown at Easter's party, Mr. Wednesday continues his quest to pitch the case for war to the Old Gods. Meanwhile, Mr. World plans revenge and Technical Boy goes on the hunt for Media.

Promising vengeance for the death of a beloved old god, Mr. Wednesday begins preparation for a great battle; Laura and Mad Sweeney chase Shadow's diminishing light after he disappears.

As he is tracked by Mr. World, Shadow makes his way to Cairo, thanks to a ride from Sam Black Crow; Mr. Wednesday slyly gains Laura's help in forging an alliance with a powerful god.

While Shadow and Mr. Wednesday take a secret meeting in St. Louis, Bilquis arrives at the funeral home in Cairo, where she engages in a debate with Mr. Nancy and Mr. Ibis; Laura rejoins Mad Sweeney.

Shadow learns the ways of the dead with the help of Mr. Ibis and Mr. Nancy. In New Orleans, Mad Sweeney introduces Laura to old friends who share their world of voodoo healing. Mr. Wednesday embarks on a road trip with Salim and the Jinn.

Shadow and Mr. Wednesday seek out Dvalin to repair the Gungnir spear.

In Cairo, Mr. Wednesday entrusts Shadow with the Gungnir spear. Mad Sweeney recalls his journey through the ages as he awaits his promised battle. Once again, he warns Shadow about Wednesday.

In the aftermath of Sweeney's death, Wednesday has disappeared, and Shadow is tormented. Those that remain witness the power of New Media as she is unleashed, and the nation is in a state of panic brought on by Mr. World.

A meeting with the god Wisakedjak leaves Shadow with a prophecy about his destiny.

Shadow's attempt to break away from Mr. Wednesday and the brewing war is thwarted by the secrets of the Gods — both Old and New.

As the search for the missing girl continues, Shadow dreams of Bilquis. Wednesday discovers the whereabouts of his old love, the Greek goddess Demeter, and resolves to free her from the grip of an unscrupulous antagonist.

Bilquis has been taken captive and finds herself caught in the middle of an identity crisis, but Shadow and Technical Boy join forces to find her; Wednesday decides to visit a group of Lords of Valhalla, a nearby chapter of a biker gang.

Shadow uses a recently enlightened Bilquis to explore the concepts of identity, purpose and destiny; Technical Boy is faced with an identity crisis; Wednesday forms a plan for a new con and asks Shadow to play a part in it.

Despite his past following him to Lakeside, Shadow makes himself at home and builds relationships with the town's residents. Laura and Salim continue to hunt for Wednesday, who attempts one final gambit to win over Demeter.

In Lakeside, Shadow grows closer with Marguerite and uncovers the surprising truth behind a local crime spree. Wednesday makes his own shocking discovery with deadly consequences. Laura and Salim negotiate with the enemy of their enemy as Bilquis follows her new path.

Laura and Salim's quest forces them outside of their comfort zones as they learn to let go of their pasts. Shadow is surprised by a new side of Wednesday, while Technical Boy attempts to escape the prison of his own mind.

Shadow has to decide the price he's willing to pay for his idyllic Lakeside life. As Laura and her new ally close in on her target, Wednesday has to persuade Czernobog that it's time to make peace with their enemies.

Teetering on the edge of war and peace, the gods gather to mourn a loss. Bilquis' divine journey brings her to an unexpected revelation, while Shadow finally embraces destiny.