The Gods Return is the ninth and final book in the Lord of the Isles Saga by David Drake.

It follows the stories of Garric, Sharina, Cashel and Ilna in the newly changed world that was once the Isles and is now a great continent: the Land.

When they begin receiving reports of rat armies moving forth from Palomir under the influence of its Emperor and the forbidden gods (Franca in particular), they are forced to separate to save the kingdom.

Upon arriving in Haft Garric is met by his father Reise, who urges him to return to Barca's Hamlet and visit his mother.

In the course of the brief battle Garric discovers that the scent of the Rat men causes horses to either run in fear, or attack in a fit of rage.

She also informs him that they must venture into a different plane of existence to find Lord Munn and ask him to close the Ivory Gate, through which the souls of the dead are being stolen.

Guided by a boatman, they come to a temple and awaken Lord Munn, who then closes the Ivory Gate, halting the creation of further rat legions.

They take counsel from the Tree Oracle and journey to awaken the hero Gorand, who had defeated the Worm once before and then was driven from Dariada by its people.

"[3] Calling the book a "shallow conclusion to the Crown of the Isles trilogy", Publishers Weekly said, "Facing this triple threat with courage, ingenuity and a bit of fancy wizardry, Drake's heroes often glide too easily through their challenges.

Though his characterization of women has greatly improved since the series began, most of the people appear bland compared with the challenges they face.