How Should New Readers Approach The John Gwynne Books And Series Order?
With The Faithful and the Fallen now complete, where should fantasy newcomers start? I'm lost between Shadow of the Gods and Of Blood and Bone.
2026-07-25 23:51:09
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PageBird
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LuxMoore
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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.
2026-07-26 07:35:17
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CalmSpot
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Don't overthink it. Just grab 'Malice.' The publication order exists for a reason. The Faithful and the Fallen is a masterclass in classic heroic fantasy done right, with incredible battle scenes and characters you genuinely care about. You'll know by the end of that first book if his style is for you, and if it is, you have a huge, wonderful backlog to enjoy.
2026-07-26 12:52:35
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ReidRed
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The man writes the best action scenes in the business, bar none. Every duel, every skirmish, every large-scale battle feels visceral and consequential. That's a constant across all his series. So if you're coming for intricate political machinations, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want characters who earn their scars in brutally realistic combat, any starting point will deliver that.
2026-07-27 14:54:10
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JohnRiley
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The sequel trilogy, Of Blood and Bone, is darker in tone, dealing with the aftermath of a great victory. It's brilliant, but it hits harder because you've lived through the war that created that world. Reading it first would be like starting a story in the third act. You need the history to feel the weight.
2026-07-30 02:24:52
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DailyNook
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I bounced off 'Malice' the first time because of the multiple POV introductions. My advice to new readers: use the dramatis personae at the front! Don't be proud. Refer to it often in the first 150 pages. Once you have the core characters locked in, the story flows like a river. It becomes impossible to put down.
2026-07-30 05:44:23
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Savage Sons MC Books 1-5
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Savage Sons Mc books 1-5 is a collection of MC romance stories which revolve around five key characters and the women they fall for.
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A sweet like honey accent and a pair of hips I couldn’t keep my eyes off.That’s how it started.Darcie Summers was playing the part of my old lady to keep herself safe but we both know it’s more than that.There’s something real between us.Something passionate and primal.Something my half brother’s stupidity will rip apart unless I can get to her in time.
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Do not read if easily offended!
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Fenris Vlad is the son of Dante Vlad, the man who ordered the massacre. He has spent years searching for the last heir of the Wolfe family. He does not know what she looks like. He only knows she exists.
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(THIS STORY IS COMPLETED)
My life was all a lie.
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First, my mother tells me my father died when I was a toddler only now, she informs me he was alive all this time until now as he has just been murdered. Then she tells me I am of royal blood and not even from this realm. I was born in a place called Valaisha. Now I am hiding for my life with people my mother called the guardians. After my mother was kidnapped along with everything else, I discovered I had abilities. With my new abilities and the Guardian’s help, one in particular named Galen, is planning a rescue. I hope we will succeed.
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Follow, Princess Rayana on her and Galan’s adventures and romance.
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This is a three-book trilogy of exciting adventure, romance, action, new beings, and many different worlds to explore. This Gateway Trilogy has it all.
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A/N
This was my First Trilogy and might have some Grammar issues. I will re-edit when I can.
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I read them out of order by accident (library availability) and wouldn't recommend it. I started with 'A Time of Blood', was utterly confused, then read 'A Time of Dread', was less confused but still missing pieces, then finally read the first quartet. When I re-read the sequel trilogy, it was like a different set of books. The series order is a puzzle where the first quartet gives you the picture on the box. Trying to assemble the sequel trilogy without that picture is possible but frustrating and you'll miss the big image.
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.
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.