7 Answers2026-07-26 11:12:15
The sequel trilogy, 'Of Blood and Bone', is often overlooked as a starting point, but it’s designed to be accessible. It recaps enough of the old history while telling a new story. However, you’ll spoil the major outcomes of the first quartet if you ever plan to read it. The emotional weight of certain legacy characters won’t hit as hard.
So, if you’re sure you’ll only ever read one Gwynne series, 'A Time of Dread' is a solid, contained trilogy arc. But if there’s any chance you’ll dive into the whole universe, start at the true beginning with 'Malice' to preserve those surprises.
3 Answers2026-07-04 06:20:18
John Gwynne is one of those authors who completely blindsided me with how immersive his fantasy worlds are. I stumbled upon 'Malice', the first book in his 'The Faithful and the Fallen' series, during a bookstore crawl, and it instantly hooked me with its gritty realism and morally complex characters. His writing has this raw, visceral quality—battle scenes feel chaotic yet precise, and the political maneuvering is as tense as anything in 'Game of Thrones'. Beyond that series, he's also written 'Of Blood and Bone', a sequel trilogy set in the same world, and the standalone 'The Shadow of the Gods', which leans into Norse mythology. What I love about Gwynne is how he balances epic scale with intimate character arcs; even his 'villains' have layers that make you pause.
His newer work, like 'The Hunger of the Gods', proves he's not resting on his laurels—the worldbuilding keeps expanding, but it never overshadows the human (or godly) stakes. If you're into fantasy that doesn't shy away from brutality but still makes you care deeply about every character, his books are a must-read. I still get chills thinking about certain moments in 'Valor', the second book of his debut series—no spoilers, but let's just say hounds play a terrifying role.
9 Answers2026-07-25 23:51:09
I see a lot of people saying to start with the Bloodsworn Saga because it's newer and maybe more accessible. I strongly disagree. Reading 'The Shadow of the Gods' first would rob you of the deep appreciation for how Gwynne's writing has evolved. You'd miss the foundational themes and the sheer scale he builds in the original quartet. Start at the beginning, with the classics.
4 Answers2026-07-04 03:16:44
John Gwynne's books are a fascinating mix of standalone series and interconnected worlds. His most famous works, 'The Faithful and the Fallen' and 'Of Blood and Bone', are directly linked, set in the same universe with overlapping characters and timelines. 'The Faithful and the Fallen' lays the groundwork, while 'Of Blood and Bone' explores the consequences generations later. It's like peeling back layers of history—you see how actions ripple through time.
However, his newer series, 'The Bloodsworn Saga', is a completely separate world inspired by Norse mythology. No shared characters or places here, just the same gritty, visceral storytelling Gwynne excels at. If you're diving into his work, I'd recommend starting with 'The Faithful and the Fallen' to fully appreciate the connections before jumping into 'Of Blood and Bone'. The way he weaves fate and legacy across these books is honestly masterful.
4 Answers2026-07-25 02:52:40
Is the prose in 'Malice' noticeably rougher than in Bloodsworn? I don’t want to start there if it’s a slog. I’ve been burned by debut novels before.
7 Answers2026-07-26 17:37:58
It's a direct match, just with a generational skip. The events of books 1-4 ('The Faithful and the Fallen') precede the events of books 5-7 ('Of Blood and Bone') by over a hundred years in-universe. So the publishing order follows the timeline. The coolest part is seeing how names and deeds from the first series become religion and legend in the second. 'Bloodsworn' is its own contained timeline for now.
3 Answers2026-07-04 07:29:23
John Gwynne's gritty, bone-crunching fantasy worlds have been my obsession since I stumbled upon 'The Faithful and the Fallen'. The man writes battle scenes that make you smell the blood and rust! While he hasn't officially announced a 2024 title yet, his pattern suggests something's brewing. After wrapping up the 'Bloodsworn Saga' with 2023's 'Rage of Gods', he usually takes about a year before dropping hints. I've been stalking his Twitter like a hawk—last month he posted about 'exciting projects taking shape', which sent our fan Discord into meltdown. My bet? Either a new trilogy teaser or maybe even a standalone in the same universe as 'Of Blood and Bone'. That man never sleeps.
What gets me is how consistent his output is. Unlike some authors who vanish for decades (looking at you, Rothfuss), Gwynne's like a dwarven smith hammering out epic tales on schedule. If we don't get news by Gen Con this summer, I might start sending him ravens like the damn Crowmail from his books. Until then, I'll be rereading 'Shadow of the Gods' and praying to the All-Father for announcements.
9 Answers2026-07-25 17:23:04
I'd actually suggest a slight variation for new readers. Read 'The Faithful and the Fallen' straight through. Then, take a break with the first 'Bloodsworn' book, 'The Shadow of the Gods', as a palate cleanser. It's a different setting and tone, and it's brilliantly paced. After that, go back and tackle the 'Of Blood and Bone' trilogy. This way, you avoid potential series fatigue but still get all the connected lore from the Banished Lands saga in the right order before the sequel trilogy.
6 Answers2026-07-26 06:15:44
I picked up ‘A Time of Dread’ by Mary’s cousin, John Gwynne, first because the cover art looked cool, and second because it seemed to start in the middle of things. It’s been a hundred pages or so of everyone talking about the Great War, the Bright Star, and the Black Sun as if they were all well known. The book does have a rather good glossary at the back and the dramatis personae is also useful. I read ‘The Faithful and the Fallen’ first, and then returned to ‘A Time of Dread’ to read it as well. While the order of a series can often matter little for a basic grasp of the plot, here it adds much to the emotional impact of the story.
4 Answers2026-07-04 08:09:44
Man, tracking down signed copies of John Gwynne's books feels like hunting for treasure sometimes! The best place to start is his official website or social media—authors often announce signed editions or preorders there. I snagged my signed copy of 'The Shadow of the Gods' during a virtual event he did with Waterstones; they sometimes stock signed exclusives. Forge World, his UK publisher, has also released signed hardcovers in the past.
Independent bookstores like Goldsboro Books or Subterranean Press occasionally have signed stock too, though they sell out fast. If you’re willing to gamble, eBay or AbeBooks can have listings, but watch out for sketchy sellers. My pro tip? Follow Gwynne’s newsletter—he’s great about sharing where he’s dropping signed copies next. The thrill of unboxing one is worth the chase!