A Time of Dread

Of Blood and Bone #1

by John Gwynne

A race of warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished lands, but their peace is brutally enforced.

In the south, hotheaded Riv is desperate to join the Ben-Elim's peacekeeping force, until she unearths a deadly secret.

In the west, the giantess Sig investigates demon sightings and discovers signs of an uprising and black magic.

And in the snowbound north, Drem, a trapper, finds mutilated corpses in the forests. The work of a predator, or something far darker?
It's a time of shifting loyalties and world-changing dangers. Difficult choices need to be made. Because in the shadows, demons are gathering, waiting for their time to rise...

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Audiobook, Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2018

About the author

I am the author of epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone and The Bloodsworn Saga. I'm also a Viking re-enactor and enjoy nothing more than standing in the shield wall with my three sons, who are as passionate about swords and axes as I am (when I'm not stuck in my coat of mail; it's harder than it looks).
I live on the south coast of the UK with my beautiful wife, three sons and my daughter, and an assortment of animals (at the moment three dogs, a horse and a lamb who thinks she's a dog).
My dogs think I am their slave.

Malice, my debut novel, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2012 and went on to win the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut of 2012. That was a truly wonderful moment, as David Gemmell is a hero of mine and one of the reasons I write.

The following three books in the series - Valour, Ruin and Wrath, were all shortlisted for the David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novels of 2014, 2015 and 2016, with Wrath winning the 2017 BookNest Awards for Best Traditionally Published Novel.

My second series, of Blood and Bone, is set in the Banished Lands, the same world as the first series. Book 1, A Time of Dread, begins 130 years after the events of the first series. A Time of Courage, book 3 Of Blood and Bone, made the Spiegel Bestseller's List in Germany.

My latest book, The Shadow of the Gods, book 1 of the Bloodsworn Saga, will be published in May 2021. It is inspired by Norse mythology, Beowulf and Ragnarök.

I am represented by Julie Crisp.

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher—Pan Macmillan—in exchange for an honest review.

A Time of Dread is a work conceived in the mind of a genius.

Simply amazing and almost impossible to put down, A Time of Dread is truly a masterful start to a trilogy which I envision will be crowned as one of the best series I’ve ever read by its end. John Gwynne has proven himself once again to be the constant harbinger of superlative epic fantasy that only the greatest of authors can achieve.

Let it be known that Gwynne is in fact the only author on my list to earn the perfect streak of top quality achievements from me. A Time of Dread marked the fifth time his work has been included in my ‘favorites of all time’ shelves; together with his previous quartet, that’s five out of five books. To do a bit of comparison, neither of my two other favorite authors—Brandon Sanderson and Joe Abercrombie—earned this perfect streak.

I can be quite petty with ratings; I don’t give a lot of full five out of five stars ratings. Gwynne, however, never ceased to impress me with his pure and unadulterated talent, and is one of the few authors who always did everything right for my epic fantasy craving. The Faithful and the Fallen is one of the series that I recommend the most often to every fantasy readers I know, whether it’s on Bookstagram, Booktube, Goodreads, or real life; I’m going to keep on doing that, except that starting from now, Of Blood and Bone will be included.

The first book in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy is a stunning and darker return to the world of the Banished Lands, the same world as his previous series. Creating a new series with a different cast in the same world is risky. The author has to do a lot of things right such as making sure the story will feel different and at the same time, retaining the elements that made his previous work magnificent in the first place; there’s nothing to worry about here because Gwynne achieved all that. Just from looking at the cover, it’s quite obvious there is a huge contrast between Gwynne’s debut, Malice, and A Time of Dread. Where Malice used a white background, A Time of Dread used black; this captured the tone of the book perfectly. Unlike his previous series, the line between good and evil is more blurry here.

Hundreds of years have passed since the end of the monumental events that took place in Wrath, now called the Day of Wrath. To save future readers of Gwynne’s previous series from spoilers, all I’ll say is that the main plot of this book mainly revolves around a new upcoming threat that’s coming to the Banished Lands. The book reignites all the sparks that made the previous book excel in quality; betrayal, familial love, the friendship between humans and animals, wars, deception, a few hilarious interactions, and many more. At the same time, like I mentioned before, the storytelling direction is also different. The first chapter, for example, immediately set the darker tone of the entire book which wasn’t found in Malice; even the source of inspiration is different. Here’s an excerpt from the interview I did with Gwynne back in March 2017:

“Where the Faithful and the Fallen was inspired by Paradise Lost and Caesar’s Gallic War, this new series is inspired by the Volsung Saga, the Fall of the Roman Empire, Atilla the Hun, the rise of the Orders of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, and berserker Valkyries.” –John Gwynne

The plot is also highly addictive to read. By building the tension with each page turned, the last 20% of the book became one damn fine breathtaking and compelling book to read. Also, for those of you who had trouble with the myriad amount of characters in TFatF, A Time of Dread casts are smaller in quantity, with only four main POV to follow throughout the entire book; Drem, Riv, Bleda, and one side character from the previous series.

Speaking of characters: for me, the driving force of a compelling book depends hugely on its characters. If I have to choose, I prioritize marvelous characterization over anything else. Great plot, thrilling actions, and good prose are all almost pointless if I can’t bring myself to care about the fate of the characters in the book. Luckily, one of Gwynne’s greatest qualities as a writer is his stupendous achievement with characterizations. This book strengthens the notion that he’s one of the greatest SFF authors out there when it comes down to writing lovable protagonists and despicable villains. It’s excellent how he always managed to evoke my emotions through the characters' actions and interactions; they felt so real. Do know however that it’s not only the new characters that stole the spotlight in the book; some characters from Gwynne’s previous series do make an appearance here. Whether it’s in the form of their descendants or, in one case, as one of the main POV, I found all the protagonists endearing and the villains despicable. Hundreds of years have passed, so most of our beloved characters have become legendary figures and their names and deeds are mentioned a lot here. If you’re a fan of TFatF, all the homage paid to those characters is guaranteed to spark a lot of nostalgia.

“And so many of them gone, now. But their memory lives on. We shall never forget.”

I’ve read a lot of epic fantasy books and I’m confident enough to say without hesitation that Gwynne is one of—if not the—best when it comes to writing grippingly realistic battle scenes. The nock of arrows, the clashing of steel, the explosion of blood, the formation of shield walls; his action scenes have always been very cinematic, intricate, immersive and dynamic, and this book is no exception. In fact, in terms of action, this book and its climax sequences make a lot of other series final book action scenes pale in comparison; Gwynne is miles above the majority of fantasy authors when it comes to close-quarter combat.

“Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel.”

It’s safe to say that my experience reading this book was enhanced immensely because of my knowledge on the world of the Banished Lands. Realms have come and gone, the state of the world has changed after hundreds of years; there are new factions, new cities, and an altered landscape. However, for longtime fans of Gwynne’s works, familiar names such as Drassil and Starstone Crater are designed to make you feel at home again. Gwynne did a fantastic job improving and reintroducing the established world of the Banished Lands. If you’re like me, not a stranger to this world, it will definitely enrich the already amazing experience of reading this book with the underlying experience we’ve gained. By reading TFatF before reading this, you would have lived through the histories talked about in this book. If you’re new to it, you’ll be just reading through them. In conclusion, the world-building is truly a work of excellence because the lore was actually established in full detail from the previous four books. It’s okay for you to read this book without prior knowledge of the world, but do know that it will spoil you on the events of Gwynne’s previous series. It can’t be helped; it’s this book’s history, after all. My advice? Read TFatF before reading this. You definitely should anyway, because it’s one of the best epic fantasy series out there.

One of my favorite things about reading something new from one of my favorite authors is seeing how much he has improved as a writer. Gwynne has come a long way since his debut, Malice. His prose is now even better, extremely well polished and top-notch in quality. I found his writing in this book incredibly engaging, vivid, immersive and bloody addictive to read. It was immensely hard for me to put down the book every time I start reading it; and when I did put it down, I couldn’t help reaching for it like I was having withdrawals. The fact that I finished reading this book in less than a day should say enough about how addictive it was. His prose is the glue that connected all the incredible plot, characterization, action sequences, and world-building to become one of the finest first books in a series I’ve ever read.

My time in the Banished Lands will always be one of my most treasured memories and experiences in my fantasy literature adventure, and I was beyond pleased to dive back into this world again. TFatF series has earned its place among my top five favorite series of all time, and Wrath is one of the best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it will be extremely hard for Gwynne to create a series that tops my love for his first series. However, I’m anxious to see Gwynne prove me wrong after the amazing things he did with A Time of Dread. Even with my high expectations, A Time of Dread still managed to blow me away; it’s truly a monumental start to a series that’s even better than his debut, Malice, by far. By the end of this book, I was already completely intrigued, hooked, compelled, and eager to read the next book in the trilogy.

If you call yourself a fan of heroic or epic fantasy—call it whatever you want—you owe it to yourself to read this book. And IF you’re a fan of Gwynne’s first series, there’s no excuse for you to not read this book. Not only this is one of the greatest start to a series I’ve ever read, Gwynne has truly earned his place among the rank of legendary fantasy authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and Brandon Sanderson with what he has achieved with A Time of Dread and his previous series.

The waiting game for the next book in the trilogy will be painful, but I know it will be worth the wait. Gwynne hasn’t failed me and I don’t think he ever will at this rate; he’s truly the Bright Star of epic fantasy literature.

“Truth and Courage”

The official publication date of the book: 11th January 2018 for the UK, and 9th January 2018 for the US.

You can order the book HERE!

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions

[Mark Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Time Of Dread brings together all of the promise in John Gwynne's debut, Malice, and delivers a truly excellent read!

AToD is in many ways very similar to Malice, it's set in the same world a century later, but with a smaller cast list and greater focus it felt to me like a step up from that successful and highly acclaimed beginning.

The previous quartet of books provide a living history to the new series. You absolutely do not have to read those books to enjoy this one though. In the Lord of the Rings Tolkien had a huge edifice of history/world-building worked out, and the story on the page was the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. If you start with AToD the previous books are that submerged body of ice.

The author that springs to mind most strongly when reading Gwynne is David Gemmell, a favourite of mine. Gwynne's characters are generally strongly heroic, decent, good, brave, and likable while far from perfect. The opposition is demonically evil with almost no hint of ambiguity. These are good things. You wouldn't want every fantasy book to be like that, but they are great stories to have in the mix. And there definitely is nuance, particularly on the "good" side where the issue of how much personal freedom must be ceded in the name of the greater good is put under the microscope.

This is a really well put together story. The level of unease (dread) mounts relentlessly, the plot threads come together, and it steadily gets more exciting until you find yourself reading faster and faster and not stopping when you really should be sleeping.

Gwynne delivers adrenaline-filled fight scenes with characters you care about, and the outcome never feels certain, that aforementioned dread is convincing, you feel that characters you care about really might not make it.

The book reminded me in the very best way of the sort of fantasy I loved in years gone by. Exciting, well-written, swords and sorcery. Try it on for size.



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[Robin Hobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night, I finished reading A Time of Dread.

I add my standard Caveat. I received this book for free. I do not know John Gwynne.

There was a time when I could devour four or five paperbacks a weekend. Books were shorter then, true, but I think it had more to do with my enthusiasm for the genre. As a teen, I was consuming fantasy almost indiscriminately, reading in every slice of the genre.

Am I older and more jaded now? Perhaps. Certainly, it seems harder to find book that awaken that elusive 'Sense of Wonder' or the need to turn pages despite what the numbers on the clock say.

If you've read any of my other reviews, you know that I detest spoilers. So here is what I can tall you. The story is solid. This is book one Of Blood and Bone. But there were a lot of satisfying arcs here, so I finished the book with the feeling of anticipation for the next one, but not with any frustrations about extreme cliff hangers. The reader knows there is more to the journey, but it feels as if the story stops and makes camp for the night rather than running off a cliff's edge in the dark.

Characters. You know how important characters are to me. There are some top notch ones in here. Not all of them are nice. All are believable. I was never tempted to skip a section because it was from the point of view of a character I couldn't engage with. I enjoyed my time with each of them. Sig and Drem, Bleda and Riv . . . (Oh, you know what else I liked? I could pronounce all the names!)None of the characters felt 'constructed for the purpose of this plot.' They stepped into the story because they had always been there.

There are scenes of battle and blood and mayhem. They are well written, as are the quieter, thoughtful scenes. There are background politics, and other forces at work in the world. The woodcraft and survival skills of the characters made sense. Those things are important to me.

All in all, a very satisfying read that has renewed my faith in the fantasy genre!

[James Tivendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of A Time of Dread in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank John Gwynne and Pan MacMillan for this opportunity.

The story places readers within the Land of the Faithful approximately 120 years after the conclusion of the novel Wrath, which was an epic, brutal, and fulfilling climax to one of my favourite ever fantasy series'. The angel-like Ben-Elim rule the land now from their base at the giant-erected fortress of Drassil. They've spent generations uniting the nations and tracking the remaining forces of the grotesque and scarily powerful Kadoshim, their Eternal enemy. The Kadoshim's leader, Asroth is frozen in metal within the Ben-Elim's stronghold but that doesn't mean his faithful aren't out there plotting, sacrificing innocents and boiling up some horrid actions that could equate to A Time of Dread.

In the first book of the Of Blood and Bone trilogy, we only follow four points of view perspectives so we get to know these characters very well. My favourites were the perspectives of Bleda, a warrior Prince who is superb at using a bow and arrow and Sig, a female giant that rides a huge yet loyal bear - she was also a minor character in Gwynne's previous saga. There are a great number of important personae, races, and animals throughout this tale that it might appear overwhelming to begin with but it's worth sticking with. The novel starts slowly as the characters, their allegiances and the history of the world are gently and cleverly massaged into the reader's mind. The world itself is also vast yet the action here predominantly takes place within a handful of fortresses, forests, and the bitter icy North which is known as the desolation. The story features the same areas and cities as the Faithful and the Fallen but time has changed the environment a degree. The history Gwynne has created is epic when describing events some readers will know from 120 years before, as are the revelations regarding important actions and battles that have happened since. This is cleverly done when elders explain the history to younger cast members. I have to admit that I went a bit teary-eyed with joy when occasionally some individuals discussed their relationships with the characters that I had followed for four books previously, and what had happened to them following the conclusion of Wrath. It shows John's unique skill as an author that him just mentioning Corban or Veradis had me so emotionally touched and gripped. I finished the Faithful and the Fallen a year ago so my exact memories weren't crystal clear. The way Gwynne introduces the characters, world, rivalries, and history is sublime, reminding me of the previous stories, however; I honestly believe this would be a great place to start too as the writing is deep, descriptive, and enchanting. This isn't just written for his current fans. You can lose yourself in this world even if this book is your first visit. 90% of the characters are new and likewise, I think previous readers will enjoy it 10% more with prior knowledge and past experiences yet that's not to say new readers won't be engrossed and blown away too. A few old characters are still walking this world. One of them returning made me 'fist-punch' the air.

It started off quite slow and steady. I enjoyed the beginning yet analysed this was targeted more at a YA audience. Boy, was I wrong? If anything this is Gwynne's darkest work to date. I should have known really looking at the awesomely designed cover. A Time of Dread contains amazing action scenes, shocking betrayals, intense battles, and a huge death count. The intensity rises right up until the awesome finale at an addictively gripping pace. Comparing back to the Faithful and the Fallen which has a clear alignment of the sides that were good and evil, those areas are greyer this time with political confrontations and even potential revolutions on the horizon between factions. The Ben-Elim were always heralded as the saviours of humankind. Now some people aren't so sure. There are many twists and shocking revelations throughout the narratives final half. I tend to be highly analytical when reading and I only predicted one of them. When that twist was revealed in the last chapter - the fact I had guessed what was to come didn't make it any less amazing.

I was so happy to venture back into Gwynne's world and mind. Gwynne is a master of his craft and one of the best fantasy writers around right now. With likeable characters, it hits so much harder should bad things happen to them but unfortunately, they do. This is a great place to start or an unmissable next step in Gwynne's majestic tale of Good vs Evil. A Time of Dread is epic, unpredictable and exhilarating with action galore and characters worth rooting for.

James Tivendale.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE: $2.99!Kindle US 8/8/22. I now have it on kindle, paperback and Audible!! And, I’ve read them all and love them!!! 😉

*****2018

I never wrote a review for this book as I was still trying to get energy back from cancer treatment but I loved it so much!! It is on my favorites list. I might write a proper review later on. I have the second book and not sure if I want to do a reread before jumping into that one 🤔

Anyhoo, read it!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.

4.5 stars. A slow burn that leads into an absolutely wild ending.

While this was my lowest ever rating for John Gwynne book, the fact that his worst book is a 4.5 is an incredible thing for an author. I loved so much about this book, and the ending leaves me absolutely ravenous for the next book.

The problem for me was that the book took far too long to get really heated up, and it wasn't really until the last ~100 pages that I became heavily invested in the plot. It really must be difficult for an author to revisit a similar world and having to balance the desire to give fans something familiar, while also doing something truly unique, and Gwynne had to invest a lot of time trying to lay this backdrop.

The world is far smaller than the previous one, and the story feels a bit less epic in scale. This felt like a bad thing when I was reading it because I couldn't help but compare it to the first one that had a much more sprawling, world shattering plot. But after I finished the book, I have to tip my hat to Gwynne for really bringing things around and giving me simultaneously something similar but different.

I fully expect that this next book is going to start off at a blistering pace, and for that I am extremely excited. I highly suggest everyone reads this book, but you really do have to read the four Faithful and the Fallen books before diving into these. While they could be read before you read those, you will be missing out on some key information that will help your appreciation for this series all the more.

[Eon Windrunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Time of Dread is a breathtaking beginning to what will surely be another utterly brilliant series by John Gwynne.

It is no secret that John Gwynne’s debut series, The Faithful & the Fallen, is one of my all time favourite reads. I regularly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read and I have marked him down as a permanent entry on my list of auto-buy authors. Therefore it should come as no surprise that I was MORE than excited to get an early chance to read his latest book, A Time of Dread, the first book in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy.

Set in the same world as his debut series, A Time of Dread (AToD) takes place about 130 years after the events of the Faithful & the Fallen (tFatF). Avoiding all spoilers for the first series leaves me without the ability to say just about anything about AToD and on the current state that The Banished Lands are in, but suffice it to say that a new peril is emerging and we are given four different POV characters from which to see the events unfold, three of which are new, the other being a minor character in tFatF.

When John Gwynne announced this new series, I was both overjoyed at getting to visit this world and it’s characters again, but at the same time very worried. Starting any new series in the same world as an established series always strikes me as a highly precarious prospect. Comparisons are inevitable and having the task of writing characters that can hold up to the love you have for those who came before is not one I envy any author. Fortunate for Mr. Gwynne, he is a rockstar when it comes to characterisation and always writes memorable, fully rounded characters that you can easily love and hate, root for or against.

As for the world that these characters are presented in - it is much the same and yet much changed from what we came to know in tFatF. Time changes everything, and it was very interesting to hear different views on how events from tFatF are believed to or said to have unfolded. As many a fantasy lover will know, world-building is the lifeblood of fantasy’s storytelling and in this case it is a resounding success, largely thanks to the groundwork the author has laid in tFatF and subsequently built on in AToD. He has gracefully and effortlessly managed to pen a new and exciting tale, whilst still grounding it in the familiar, rich and evocative history of the Banished Lands, giving fans of the the Faithful & the Fallen much to wax nostalgic about. While most of our heroes have passed on and taken their journey over the Bridge of Swords, there are still a few familiar faces to be seen among the new, and it was a joy reading about both the old and new even as the mentions of some of those absent characters occasionally invoked a strong sense of poignancy. Take a bow for making us care so much Mr Gwynne. This seamless interweaving of two different times is done so masterfully, that I am almost tempted to proclaim that reading the first series is unnecessary if you want to start with this book first. That would be a mistake of two parts though. Firstly, tFatF series is an awe-inspiring achievement in fantasy writing and should be read by EVERYONE. Plainly said, it’s THAT good. Secondly, whilst AToD is still a great read if it is your first John Gwynne book, the added benefit of having read the tFatF series elevates this book from great to absolutely brilliant! There are so many small details and mentions that just give everything occurring that extra little bit of magic, making it so much more fun.

The homage Mr Gwynne pays is truly befitting of the ineffable love his fans have for the stories that came before.

The pacing is juuuuuust perfect. It might still be early on in his career, but the author seems to have perfected the art of the slow reel, starting leisurely and pulling you in, building up the tension, before yanking you to the edge of your seat. While the early tone set for AToD feels much darker than the one of tFatF, themes of love, friendship, honour, family, and of course truth and courage are still ever present, and still form the foundation of this writing that has grown from strength to strength, book by book. And the action… John Gwynne keeps on reminding us that he is second to none in the this department, whether it is large scale battles or mano a mano, his writing is so immersive and vivid that you cannot help but be transported to the scene of the violent, gory action. I more than once found myself ducking a sword or axe meant for a POV character. And the mentioned dread… it is at first a mere whisper of foreboding, fleeting, hinted at, creeping but ever present. Page after page though, this sense of unease slowly escalates as the story marches on to it’s pulse-pounding climax, relentless, never wavering. By the time the breathtaking closing sequences are done, the dread spoken of in the title is indeed a palpable, living thing that permeates the pages. You can almost feel it’s visceral grip on you as you close the book and fear what the future has in store for our protagonists.

‘Fuil agus cnámh, rud éigin nua a dhéanamh’

A Time of Dread is a highly recommended and wonderful first book in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy and has delivered everything I hoped for and more. If you were not yet convinced before, the truth of it is now undeniable:

John Gwynne is an official member of fantasy’s the best of the best club.
____________________________________

A very special thank you to John Gwynne & Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
Now can I please, please, please get first dibs on A Time of Blood? :D

PS: An honourable mention for that breathtakingly gorgeous cover and bonus points for the Old Norse runes on the hilt that spell DREAD! So cool Mr Gwynne, so cool!

Expected publication date for the hardcover: January 11th, 2018 in the UK.

[Bentley ★ Bookbastion.net · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been following my reviews for the past year, you know I'm a huge fan of John Gwynne and the world he created in his original series "The Faithful and the Fallen."

I breezed through all 4 of those books earlier this year, thanks in large part to the memorable characters and the epic thread of action that runs through the heart of Gwynne's storytelling. When I found out that he had a new series coming out, I pretty much begged whoever I could find was lucky enough to get a physical ARC from Pan MacMillan which transported me straight back into this world I love so much.

Because I know that people will ask: do you have to read the first series (Malice, Valour, Ruin and Wrath,) to understand what's going on in this series? No, you don't. This series takes place 120+ years after the events of the first, so while there is a nostalgia factor involved as characters or places from the first series are name-dropped, Gwynne does a really great job of setting this story apart from his last. New characters are introduced, and a totally new threat carries on that thematic subtext of good versus evil that was always present in the earlier books.



Still, as a big fan of the original books, I really did love all the throwbacks included for those fans. The inclusion of Sig, a giantess from the original series, as a POV character in this certainly helps to deliver upon that nostalgia. Because giants have extremely long life-spans, she helps to orient the readers to the ways in which the world has changed over the course of a century. It's a helpful perspective for new and old fans alike.

Plus, it's really nice to see Sig develop into such a strong character. The giant clans were some of my favorite aspects of the original series, so it was nice to see that carry over into this book too.

A Time of Dread is part creature feature, and part investigative fantasy thriller as each of the leading characters are made witness to the terrible events brought to bear around them. I appreciated that there were a few unexpected surprises thrown in to prove that nothing is quite as it seems and that the baddies are just as bad as ever.

While the threat from the original series may have been stopped, new dangers have arisen over the course of 100 years as various factions war for control of the entire realm.

Aptly titled, this book is filled with a sense of dread that only increases until the final hundred pages, which I flew through.



I appreciate that the storyline is a bit more political in nature than the original series. There are new perspectives to consider, and new factions vying for control. In some ways it feels like diversity is the name of the game this time around as we have POV characters from different cultures and backgrounds uniting against a common threat. Drem, Riv, Bleda and Sig give their respective chapters a unique flavor and perspective that had me constantly wanting to see where their experiences were going to take them next.

Per his usual, Gwynne's characters are fantastic here. They're well developed, and their motivations and actions make sense. There's nothing worse than characters that betray their development for the sake of surprise in a story. These characters and their actions influence the plot as much as the plot influences them, which I love.

Also, can I just say that I love how strong women are featured in Gwynne's writing? Sig, Riv and Byrne are all great strong women taking up the mantles from Coralen, Cywen, Edana and Brina from the original series.



It's hard to explain why I'm only giving this 4 stars instead of 5 without spoiling. I will say that I was a little disappointed with one particular twist in Riv's storyline. It felt half-told, and though I'm certainly it will be developed much more strongly in the following books, I appreciate when certainly story elements are self-contained within a book. Gwynne drops a lot of clues throughout, to the point that I saw the twist coming, but the reasoning why certain events occur are definitely left for later books to explain.

I think that this series has the potential to be even more engaging than the original series was. Fans of John Gwynne should definitely pick this up! While there's a definite nostalgia factor to this book, new readers looking for some dark fantasy are sure to love this as well!

★★★★ = 4 out of 5 stars
_________

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[Anna [Bran. San. Stan] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers for the prequel series The Faithful and the Fallen.

If you haven’t read TFatF yet, I highly recommend doing so before reading Of Blood and Bone as it will spoil the plot and ending of the prequel; you’ll also know who lives and who dies.

137 years after the events in The Faithful and the Fallen, the Kadoshim that have been made flesh roam the land and plan to defeat the now ruling Ben-Elim and subjugate if not kill all humans. Next to the kingdom of Ardain, ruled by a mortal queen, the “Land of the Faithful” is ruled by the Ben-Elim. One would think that after warrior angels defeat their evil counterparts at the end of Wrath, peace and prosperity would reign in their lands, but sadly that is not the case. For one thing, Kadoshim are still at large, and for another, the Ben-Elim are religious fanatics, brutally enforcing Elyon’s so-called Lore, demanding obedience from all humans. Their mantra “Faith, strength, and purity” really says it all.

But there is also another faction that fights the Kadoshim, the Order of the Bright Star, founded by Corban 137 years ago - and their battle cry is “Truth and courage.” Sounds much more healthy and heroic, no? Unsurprisingly, those two factions don’t get along very well.

Now to our MCs. Maybe you’ll be as happy as I was that none of the PoV characters were villains here:

We have the giantess Sig (whom you will remember from TFatF) living in Dun Seren, the Order of the Bright Star’s base; an exceptional warrior and also the mouthpiece to tell us of our heroes long dead.

Then there is 16-year-old Riv, whose greatest wish is to be part of the White-Wings, the elite fighting force of the Ben-Elim in Drassil. She has a horrible temper and as a result tends to act before thinking. She has also been indoctrinated in the Ben-Elim’s values.

Also living in Drassil is Bleda, a 16-year old Sirak, who officially has been a “ward” (more a hostage who can move freely) of the Ben-Elim for five years. For the first 11 years of his life, he has learned that showing emotions is a sign of weakness and thus shows all the world (except his kin) his cold-face.

And, finally, there is 21-year-old Drem and his dad, who live as trappers and hunters for six months every year. They have been on the move for about 15 years, only settling down these past five years, in Kergard, a town in what was once known as the Desolation.

For a substantially shorter book than the original series (only about 500 pages), I welcomed the decrease of PoV characters. All four of them were incredibly well-chosen and diverse in personality and I was looking forward to each of their chapters, preference mostly based on what was happening to them at any given moment.

I am so grateful Gwynne has chosen to write a sequel series; TFatF was nothing short of spectacular and to be able to live in that world again was priceless. Even if I sometimes missed our previous heroes, I’ve come to love the new MCs and I’m sure I’ll love them even more, the more I read about them.

As for the ending, it was not as spectacular an ending as Gwynne usually delivers. I’m not sure if it’s because I saw one development coming a mile away or because the Kadoshim reveal a new ability that I felt was OTT. But, hey, that’s probably just me. I still loved this book and I’m looking forward to continuing with the series.

Onward!

also 2024: Reread via the fantastic audiobook. Highly recommended!

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book! This was a brilliant and action packed fantasy about honor, betrayal, loyalty, friendship, power and the importance of family. A Time of Dread follows Riv, Sig, Belda and Drem as they fight demons and face unique challenges. Riv, wants to be a White-Wing, the peacekeeping force of the Ben-Elim (warrior angels) but then she uncovers a mystery that will change her understanding of the world. Sig, a giant uncovers human sacrifice and black magic when fighting demons. Drem, a trapper, finds people who have been brutally killed and discovers there is something dreadful going on.

The book starts off a little slow, but then soon after I became completely immersed in this brilliant and brutal world that the author created. The plot was very interesting and engaging. The world building is excellent, the author spent a great deal of time crafting a unique world of warrior angels, giants, demons, talking crows and human warriors. The world building was a bit overwhelming at first, but by the middle I was very intrigued and understood the world better.

The characters are complex and relatable. I loved Drem, he is kind, brave, resourceful, strong, loyal and will do anything for his dad. I felt a connection to Drem, I love my family too and I will do anything for them. Drem's character development was great, I enjoyed seeing another side of Drem and learn more about his past. I really liked Sig, she is strong, brave, loyal, protective and kind. I do wish her backstory and character development was explored more. I loved Riv, she is resilient, courageous, fierce, quick-tempered and protective of her family. I felt a connection to Riv as well she is close to her sister and her mom. I am very close to my mom and sister and protective of them. I really liked Bleda as well, he is sweet, loyal, honorable, brave, strong and helpful. I really liked the side characters especially Cullen, Rad and Keld. Rad, a talking crow is so funny, sweet, smart and added humor to a dark world. Cullen is brave, strong, funny, loyal and kind.

The writing was excellent and very descriptive. I felt like I was next to the characters experiencing every emotion and thought they experienced. Reading the book felt like watching a movie in my mind, the battles scenes were especially descriptive and I could almost hear the shouts during the battles. The storytelling was awesome, I was completely engaged in the book from the beginning till the end. The ending was so exciting and shocking! I can't wait to read the next book!

I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, excellent world building, great characters and excellent storytelling.

[Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

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“Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel”

Malice ★★★★ 1/4
Valour ★★★★ 3/4
Ruin ★★★★★
Wrath ★★★★★

A Time of Dread ★★★★ 1/2

I always thought that this series was a prequel to the first series for some reason and it turns out that I was wrong and that it is actually a sequel. This series can be read without reading the first series but I would not recommend that at all and that’s why I added my ratings of The Faithful and the Fallen series here. There are major spoilers here for the first series and also some of the things mentioned in this series would make more sense if you have already read the first series, otherwise, you would need to accept it as a part of the world’s history!

So series extensions usually means taking a huge risk, because if you as an author messed up the extension, it would mess the original series too which sucks! I was kind of afraid going into this one but Gwynne proved me wrong and this was an excellent extension which has the same vibes but a slightly different tone in writing. Gwynne’s writing is as great as usual and I loved it and there was so much that I can quote from the book!

This book is actually easier to follow because there are only 4 POVs instead of the 10 we had in the original series and because the world has merged into a kind of unions so there are fewer cities than the first series! So that means fewer characters, fewer places and the events connect the characters pretty fast which is cool! I don’t necessarily consider it an improvement because I loved both styles: I loved following many characters and seeing things fall into place in the first series but I also loved the quicker pacing and easiness to follow in this series!

I loved all the POVs and though I preferred one POV at first (Drem) I ended up loving all POVs almist equally later in the book! The book plot does make sense and I loved that it was darker than the first series! I did expect some of the events because I am more used to Gwynne’s writing now but I was still surprised by some twists at the end and Gwynne always choose the best plot line anyway, so even if it is expected, it does not make it any less interesting!

“You cannot be truly brave unless you feel truly afraid.”

Summary: I loved the first entry in this new series and I think it has the potential to be as epic as the first series! This was darker, easier to follow with fewer places and characters but it has the same great writing and pacing! I am looking forward to book 2 for sure!

[Sebastien Castell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Time of Dread is that rare sort of epic fantasy that not only appeals to fans of the genre, but also embraces new readers. The world is rich and complex, but you never feel lost or find yourself desperately reaching for a map. The four main characters have the nuance and troublesome qualities we expect from modern fantasy novels, and yet they retain just enough of the classic heroism that got so many of us into the genre in the first place. The plot twists and turns in unpredictable ways, and yet each time it pulled me along, never once making me want to put the book down.

This first book in the Blood and Bone series follows four main characters: Bleda, Riv, Drem, and Sig. Each one is a hero in their own right (none of this sticking you in the point of view of someone you end up hating), but each one struggles both with the strange events going on around them and with their own sense of right and wrong. It's within this subtle and shifting moral landscape where Gwynne really shines, never opting for the easy answers. He'll throw a group of righteous winged saviours your way one minute only to have you questioning their puritanical devotion the next. The moment you think you've found the side to stand with against them, you'll discover that they, too, have their dark secrets.

The very uncertainty about each group's motivations that keeps you guessing throughout the novel is precisely what gives Gwynne the latitude to let you trust in his heroes. They might question, they might make mistakes, but they never suddenly turn around and do something vile just for effect. To the contrary, they carry you along with them every step of the way, so that their dilemmas over who to trust become yours.

I try not to gush unreservedly about novels, so I won't here. Those looking for that constant gritty edge we've come to associate with Grimdark fantasy won't find it here. This isn't the book where you put it down and go, 'wow, I can't believe someone wrote something that dark'. Sure, there's some evil stuff going down in A Time Of Dread, but it never celebrates that stuff. It is, on some level, a book that treats the reader gently, even as it carries them through scenes both tragic and triumphant.

One final note: though set in the same world as Gwynne's previous series, you don't need to have read it to enjoy this one. If you're a fan of epic fantasy, A Time Of Dread will feel like being in the hands of a master at the craft. For those entirely new to multi-volume sagas, this is a terrific place to start.

[Haïfa · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read
4.5 stars
_______

Original spoiler-free review. No spoilers from the Faithful and the Fallen series.
The quotes in this review are taken from the ARC edition and may change in the published book.

Dear John Gwynne, you will never fail to surprise me, and your stories will never fail to make me cry!

Of Blood and Bone is a new trilogy taking place roughly 130 years after the last events of Wrath (The Faithful and the Fallen, #4). And things have significantly changed in the Banished Lands. The landscape is definitely different (can’t wait to get my published copy to see the map!), peace is tenuous at best and ghastly, troubling things are happening all around the land and even at the heart of the Desolation.

Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel.

Reading A Time of Dread was a tricky experience for me. First, because of huge expectations of course! Second, because I was in a huge slump and I was afraid I would judge it too critically, especially since it’s an ARC. And third, because I kept asking myself if the new characters would rise to the perfection their predecessors achieved.

The first one couldn't be helped. The Faithful and the Fallen is without doubt one of the most overwhelming, emotional and satisfying series I've read in my life. But despite its narrower scope, a Time of Dread hinted at unexpected alliances and betrayals, gory action and epic battles coming our way in the sequels. While it still can be seen as a battle between Good and Evil, you will encounter a few factions whose intentions are not entirely clear and aside from a few exceptions, you will be seriously questioning some key characters’ intentions.

As for the second, I avoided falling into the trap halfway through the book by taking a break and going back with newfound eagerness and fresh eye. And I just enjoyed the last half even more! But then, it wasn’t much of a surprise really, Gwynne has a real talent for concluding his books! And when I started to wonder where he was taking his story, John brought every thread into focus in a most exciting, tense, unexpected and emotional way.

Lastly, the difficulty with sequel series is that you need to create new characters and stories that have their own voices and aren’t copies of the old ones, while keeping a coherent link with the latter and sharing a common history and background. John Gwynne pulled off the challenge brilliantly by creating attaching personalities struggling in a much darker and grimmer world than the one we left at the end of Wrath. The story is told from 4 points of view and despite sharing one or two traits with the old characters, they all were well fleshed out, while having much room for growth. Every action, every thought or every retort seemed to build a new layer in their personalities.

"Leaders must act for the greater good."

Friendship and family, honor and loyalty are still as central themes as gore, fights and epic battles in John’s books. You will also find familiar elements like the Warrior trials, the Shield Wall, the Sword dance, the giants’ Segul, Wolven… (the mention of these names alone made me tear up inconsolably!) Therefore, the story and plot felt at the same time original and very familiar (coming of age trope, Good vs. Evil, angels and demons, strong family and friendship and human-animal links…) compared to Malice.

Which brings me to my most important point: NOSTALGIA! For those of you who’d read and loved The Faithful and the Fallen, this book will feel all the more like a precious gift, with a huge sentimental value! Gwynne celebrated his old cast in a touching and exquisite way. I felt a pang of pain and nostalgia and love every time one of the old crew members was mentioned (this is no spoiler since more than a century has passed and naturally iconic characters died, but although I expected that, I still felt their loss as if they were friends or family!).

For that reason alone I wholeheartedly recommend to start with the The Faithful and the Fallen series. The major events of Wrath are briefly reminded throughout the book. However, if you’re new to Gwynne’s work and want to start with this book, you totally can. Gwynne made an excellent job giving enough background and history to make you understand the context and the world of his new story.

‘ And so many of them gone, now. But their memory lives on. We shall never forget.’

I feel like great but also dreadful paths are to be expected in the sequels. The tone of A time of Dread was definitely much darker than the The Faithful and the Fallen in my opinion and I wondered if some events and creatures wouldn’t qualify as Grimdark elements. There was also less humor and relief, for this is indeed a time of dread, with nothing except the bittersweet, warm memories and the unbreakable family links to alleviate the darkness. I can’t wait to delve into the next books and see where John’s taking us!

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sale Alert: This is on sale as the Kindle Daily Deal 07Apr20 $2.99

“Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel”

I haven’t read the Faithful and the Fallen series, but after reading this book I’m very much a fan of John Gwynne’s writing and I’ll have to go back and read the original series set in this world 120 years before the events in this book. That said I don’t feel like I had to have read that series to enjoy this one since I completely enjoyed it.

A Time of Dread is just that. It is the beginning of the ramp up to something dangerous, evil and enough to fill you with Dread. The story starts a little slowly since we are following four different points of view. Since I’m used to reading a lot of fantasy that is a normal thing for me in the first book of a new series. Don’t worry though by the end you should be filled with plenty of dread and so many things will have happened that you will forget the first part was slow.

With the four varied PoVs we get to see a lot of this world from different perspectives.

Bleda is a prince of a human clan and taken as ward by the Ben-Elim (winged angel people) to ensure that his tribe is peaceful. He has a lot of insight into how the Ben-Elim politics work and how they use fear and their strength to almost hold every human tribe in servitude to them.

I liked how his arc showed what everyday life was like in Dressel and how the new threat on the horizon was affecting the Ben-Elim, it showed their long-term goals also in terms of the human tribes and how they are trying to control all of them.

Riv is also in Drassil, the Land of the Faithful, with Bleda. But she is from a family of warriors that train to fight alongside the Ben-Elim. Still we find that there is something different about Riv and following her PoV we not only learn about the inner turmoil between some of the Ben-Elim but also what they have been plotting for years. She is hot headed and quick to temper but fiercely loyal to friends and family as well.

Drem was actually my favorite PoV. He is the son of a trapper and lives in a sleepy small villiage when they aren’t on the road. But it seems like there are more and more people in the area that just seem a little off and not quite right. I loved his journey and the slow tease of the odd happenings out in the middle of nowhere. His journey from farmboy trapper to hero in the making was a really good one. Plus he was present for all the horrible things we learn about the Fallen and I for one was shocked by those revelations.

Sig the final PoV in this tale is a Giantess and while her faction also fights against the Fallen they do not like the Ben-Elim and stay separated from them. It is her tale that seems like would have tied into the prior series more. She is so likeable and ride a bear who seems like the best of both worlds being both a mouth and fighter.

The title describes this book great. There are some harsh deaths, horrible revelations and big twists that made my first read of a John Gwynne book truly memorable. Now it seems I must read the first series The Faithful and the Fallen because I now feel like I’ve missed out on a great author and an even more fantastic fantasy tale.

[Holly Hearts Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

With some of the most surprising and imaginative twists John Gwynne has taken in this first book to the sequel series of the banished lands, A Time of Dread may feel largely familiar to its predecessors, but just thinking of the hours upon hours of chaos and carnage that each book in this trilogy is going to produce makes me giddy.

[Luna. ✨]

Finally a cover!

It's so freaking BADASS I feel like crying over its beauty.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. This is how you write fantasy.

The plot opens with a blood feud battle between two clans, several years before the main bulk of our story. It's full of vigour, great descriptions of the action, and sucked me straight in with the mixture of violence and brutality on an epic scale.

The main events of the story start several years later, where the majestic angels, the Ben-Elim, rule the majority of the land from their fortress of Dressil. Here they train and continue to hunt the remaining Kadoshim - the race of evil that came through the rift so many years ago. The story follows four main characters on their various travails as the increasing danger of the Kadoshim threatens to undue the uneasy balance of peace the Ben-Elim have fought to uphold for so long.

Drem is my favourite character of the bunch. We meet him in the first chapters as he hunts with his father Odin in the Wild - the land to the North outside the Ben-Elim's rule. He's naive, with an innate goodness and moral compass. He won't kill if he can help it, even when faced with a fight with a man attempting to hurt his friend. His relationship with his father is also lovely. You can feel the deep amount of love and respect he has for Odin, and his desire to follow in his footsteps. You really feel for Drem, and I was constantly willing him to succeed as his storyline just got better as it progressed and developed. By the end I really thought Drem had grown so much as a character, and I'd taken that journey with him.

Riv is a human, raised within the walls of Dressil. She has an undying love for the white wing armies, the people who fight solely for the Ben-Elim, and wants nothing more than to be a warrior and fight the kadoshim. However, is unable to control her anger and rashness in battle. I liked this rashness and lust for battle, although sometimes I did think she was a little 'brainwashed' by the Ben-Elim. Her story was the one that took me most by surprise, and I ended up really enjoying it. She has a strong relationship with her mother and sister, and it was nice to see them take a position of power and respect within the White Wings as unit leaders. It created a strong family unit deeply embedded within this culture of fighting without necessarily needing a strong male role model. I wish more fantasy writers would take this stance.

Bleda is the son of one of the clan chiefs seen in the opening battle. Taken as a ward by the Ben-Elim as punishment, he is raised under their watchful eyes in the hopes he will one day return to his clan as leader and a dedicated follower to the Ben-Elim's cause. Bela's storyline I enjoyed the least, and I felt we see the least progression in his character, although I liked that he's so insecure about his nature. There's often an internal struggle between the culture he was raised in, and the need to withhold all his emotions, and the obvious respect he holds for his captures. This leads to a lot of self doubt. It's his growing relationship with Riv however that I found the most interesting, as they're at heart such opposing characters. The hot headed Riv and quiet and thoughtful Bleda. Their blossoming friendship over a bow is great to see unfold, and there is potential for it to grow as events develop further down the line.

Sig is the most fearsome of the four. A giantess, fiercely loyal to those she calls kin, and a glorious warrior. However, I felt the least connected to her. She feels the least rounded of the four (which is knit picking really as all of these characters are wonderful), and although her storyline packs plenty of punch, violence and action, I felt that I never really got to see another side of Sig. She was in full on warrior mode for most of the story, and I wanted to see some vulnerability or weakness that the other main characters had. That said, all of these issues are redeemed in the closing chapters, with Sig's showdown at the mines and her confrontation with Gunnil. Her apparent death is written beautifully.

After the initial opening battle scene, this has rather a slow start - but it takes a long time to build a world so wonderfully crafted. I felt fully immersed, and knew everything I needed to about the lay out of the lands and its vast history and cultures. I hadn't read anything by Gwynne before, and in some respects I felt I may have missed out on some of this rich past and history that readers of previous novels would relish to read about. This never detracted from my immense enjoyment however, but I definitely felt I could have had an even better reading experience if I'd started with Malice. This shows the quality of the writing here, as it takes a clever writer to be able to create such a colourful world and gently guide us through hundreds of years of history without confusing the reader and allowing themselves to get distracted by meandering side stories. Everything that is written here has a purpose, whether that's to develop a character or flesh out the storyline.

I can't write a review for this without mentioning that ending. It takes a lot to surprise me, and this took me in a direction I didn't see coming for a number of characters. It's also tidied up in such a way that I felt satisfied by the end, yet desperate for the next adventure. I really enjoyed this, and I will be looking for more John Gwynne to pick up as soon as possible to tide me over until the next instalment. If you enjoy dark fantasy (and this does get dark) this is easily one of the best stories out there at the moment.

[Lau ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing more exciting than reading John Gwynne...


A Time of Dread is set over one hundred years after The Faithful and The Fallen and continues the story keeping its core strengths: good-hearted characters, loads of action and the old Good vs Evil. While it can be read a standalone because the key points of the final battle in TFATF are explained -which is the beginning of the new war that’s going on-, I’d advise you to read the original series (TFATF) first, because everything will make more sense and you’ll be able to appreciate all the mentions of your favorite characters.


If you have read TFATF, there is barely anything to memorize and you can let your brain rest and enjoy the action from the beginning, for there aren’t chapters spent on introductions. There are also less characters, so you won’t need to have pen and paper in hand. Ironically, I missed not having loads of points of view. Although it was a nightmare to remember all the names in TFATF, I loved having so many characters to enjoy.



Despite being only four POVS, it was still frustrating to change POVs because of how good John Gwynne is at creating small cliffhangers. Every time a POV ends, you’ll be annoyed because you’ll have to wait to get the answers - until you remember the character was also in danger in their last POV, and you’ll go running to see if they are okay. Added to how short the chapters are, you’ll fly through them and, before you know it, you’ll have turned the last page.


The high amount of action, how loveable the characters are and the fact that anyone can die at any moment, makes reading a thrilling adventure. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a fantasy book so much. John Gwynne might not write the most original stories, but they are a ✨delight✨ to read.


“Why?” Bleda said. “They are your people.” He looked genuinely confused, honestly wanting to understand.
“Because -” Riv shrugged- “it wasn’t fair. Wasn’t right. Wasn’t honourable.”


I appreciate the balance between male and female characters. The heroes are Sig, a giantess who is a secondary character in the sequel and remembers all of your favorite characters with the same love as you do; Drem, a hunter who hates fighting; Riv, who is training to become a warrior of the Ben-Elim’s like her mom and sister; and Bleda, a heir captive by the Ben-Elim’s to maintain peace between the clans.


Another improvement is the romance. I’m obsessed with Riv and Bleda. They are the complete opposite: Riv is all fire and wants nothing but to be a warrior of the Ben-Elim while Bleda’s culture is against showing emotions and despises what the Ben-Elim did to his clan.


She is like the sun when she is happy, like a furnace when she is angry. I have never known anyone so utterly opposite to my people. All seething emotion bound within a sack of skin, blood and bone. Only when alone with our kin or Clan are we Sirak able to be like this. When in front of our enemy the cold-face is king.

There was something appealing about it (). A freedom to being like that, no secrecy, no hiding who you are.


As for Drem, he is a lonely boy too innocent and pure for this world, who lives with his dad running away from the endless battle that killed her mum. But when bizarre things start to happen, he’ll realize his dad knows things he doesn't want to share. Maybe it’s time to get some answers…


Overall, if you enjoyed TFATF, you need to read this one. John Gwynne has only improved since his debut novel and you are going to love going back to this world, which this time is a bit darker and more realistic.


And if you haven’t read TFATF and this sounds like something you may enjoy, I heartily recommend giving it a try. It’s a solid series for lovers of all the old fantasy elements, with an epic fight, gripping action scenes, loads of amazing characters and very opinionated crows.


↬ The FaithFul and The Fallen (TFATF):
1. Malice: 4.25 stars
2. Valour: 4.25 stars
3. Ruin: 5 stars
4. Wrath: 5 stars

↬ Of Blood and Bone (sequel of TFATF):
1. A Time of Dread: 4.5 stars
2. A Time of Blood: 3.5 stars
3. A Time of Courage: 3.75 stars

[TS Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We shall never forget.

And how could I ever forget? A Time of Dread served as a brutal and stunning reminder that Gwynne is one of the greatest modern fantasy writers.

The Faithful and The Fallen ("TFaTF") was a superb epic fantasy series with one of the most well-written stories about prophecies and good vs evil that I've read in a very long time. And judging from what I've read in this book, I believe Gwynne is on track to surpass what he did in the earlier series. AToD is the stamp of a great writer that never stops learning and always keeps improving. While Malice was a great debut that any author would and should be proud of, AToD demonstrated that Gwynne has once again upped his game.

Over 130 years had passed since the Day of Wrath when the Kadoshim had been defeated. But in The Banished Lands, happily ever after does not exist. The Ben-Elim, purportedly the saviour of all humankind, enforced peace with an almost tyrannical rule that does not tolerate any infringements to The Ways of Elyon or the Lore. However, peace is tenuous at best as the Kadoshim that remain are plotting vengeance.

Gwynne seamlessly brought me back to The Banished Lands and made me feel like I've never left, even though it had been over two years since I've finished reading TFaTF. Even without rereading that series, I was able to immerse myself back into the world and relive the incredible bonds of family, friendship and companionship that was the hallmark of Gwynne's stories. Make no mistake, these books are dark; they are brutally honest in the portrayal of good vs evil and the unremitting dangers faced by our beloved characters. However, where we have truth and courage, and love and loyalty, there will always be hope and light.

The characterisation is where Gwynne always excelled the most. If you don't care for the characters, then the story becomes quite two dimensional with only the worldbuilding and plot to fall back on. The one constant that I've always felt while I read TFaTF was this impending sense of doom that someone I care about was going to die. It was so emotionally stressful and yet so rewarding when (some of) our favourite characters prevailed. But the thing is, Gwynne does not pull his punches. You will feel devastated, just as you will also feel vindicated and elated. It's nothing short of an emotional roller-coaster - one that you don't want to get off from even though you're worried that you might collapse from a heart attack.

In AToD, I grew invested in the characters even faster than I did in TFaTF. For one thing, the smaller cast of characters to follow in this book helped, as we only had 4 POVs. I believed the other key element was the connectivity of some of these characters to those whom we have met and loved in the earlier series. For me, nostalgia played an immense role in creating an almost immediate emotional link which would otherwise take a much longer time to develop. Whenever the words Truth and Courage were spoken, I was transported back in time to those glorious fist-pumping or painful heart-breaking moments. I felt full and empty at the same time when the names of the previous characters were mentioned. So much had been fought and sacrificed for, and yet the fighting was far from over. In fact, Of Blood and Bone is shaping up to be even darker.

Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel.

No review on a book written by Gwynne will be complete without commending his exceptional skill in writing action and battle scenes. While he may have an advantage of having done reenactments in real life, it is by no means a certainty towards well-crafted and realistic action scenes. Gywnne is an undisputed master of close combat sequences that will make you wince and cringe with every slash of a sword, each smash of an axe, and even the wet crunch of a well-landed punch.

As an opening book of a new series, the pacing has noticeably improved in AToD as compared to Malice. Even though the beginning was still a bit slower as the new characters were introduced, the plot development was tighter, and events escalated reasonably quickly. The book couldn't have had a more appropriate title. As the narrative unfolded, there was this sense of dread that slowly seeped through and gradually enveloped me as I began to put the pieces together; revelations which were brilliantly handled. The ending sequence was pulse-pounding, blood-gushing and heart-wrenchingly classic Gwynne. It left me in a jumble of emotions; of loss, and hope, and dread.

If you have not read anything from John Gwynne yet, this glaring oversight must be remediated quickly. But I do highly recommend to start with The Faithful and The Fallen first (see what I said about nostalgia above).

You can order this book from Book Depository (Free shipping worldwide)

You can also find this, and my other reviews at Novel Notions.

[James Islington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read A Time of Dread a little over a month ago, and was waiting for some time to put together a more thorough review... which thanks to both Christmas and a new baby in the house(!), never eventuated. But with it being released today in the UK, I wanted to add at least some quick thoughts / a recommendation on what I felt was a great read.

Much of what I wanted to say, thankfully, has already been said – see Sebastien de Castell’s and Mark Lawrence’s reviews as pretty reflective of my thoughts – but in short, this is classic heroic fantasy that has likeable characters with nuance, and a compelling story which builds at a great pace. No caveats to that, really! Just a thoroughly excellent book that I’d be comfortable recommending to any fantasy reader.

Something I did want to single out was that, while this book is set in the same world as The Faithful and the Fallen (John Gwynne’s first series), the fact I hadn’t read those previous books didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this one at all. Characters and events from that series are evidently referenced, but I never felt in the dark or that I was missing out on making connections. So while it would still probably make sense to read The Faithful and the Fallen first (purely to experience everything in chronological order), there’s no reason that A Time of Dread can’t be an entry point into this world. Certainly for me, once I eke out some time for reading again, The Faithful and the Fallen will be high on my list to get to.

In summary - this is a great read for newcomers, and I’m gathering just as good (or maybe even better!) for existing fans. Definitely recommended!

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a lot of fun seeing our friend's on Discord reactions for this one.

This author is pretty good, right?

I feel that this series is so underrated. Papa Gwynne strikes gold with the mystery / thriller element, and all of the references to FatF just hit you right in the feels.

Drem is my favourite character - he is based on my brother, Will, and he's written so brilliantly. Always feels like home when I re-read dad's work.

[William Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread this as part of a read-along over on The Brothers Gwynne! Join us on The Brothers Gwynne discord if you want to read Of Blood and Bone, or if you want to chat about your thoughts, no matter when you read it :).

BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne

Also reading these via audiobook for the first time!

[Spencer Orey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good warrior fantasy. I haven't read the series that comes before it, but there was more than enough info sprinkled along as legend and lore to catch me up. At the end, I was a little let down that this is clearly just the start to a longer series. But when it was over I wanted to keep reading, so it worked!

And the fighting is good. Lots of tense battle scenes with swords and axes and wings.

As for the wings, the dynamic between the angels and demons was a real highlight for me. One side is very disturbingly dutiful and one side is disturbingly pure evil. I won't say much about it except (slight spoiler) it's clear that being made corporeal has had consequences for them both and that they're changing as time passes for them in the mortal world. That was really well done.

Because it's so focused on people who fight or learn to fight, the rest of the world sometimes seems strangely blank? Like in the one town we see, we meet a blacksmith and a tanner, but we don't get a sense of what life is usually like there, really. Mostly we see that there's a giant overall conflict and that fighting it looks different in different places, shown through different points of view.

I wanted more magic overall. I didn't get a sense of what it could or couldn't do, except that when there was magic it was very eventful! Maybe next book we'll find out more about magic.

Overall, if you're looking for some swords and war cries, this is a good pick.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

”You cannot be truly brave unless you feel truly afraid. That’s what courage is. Doing it anyway, even though you’re scared. Sorry, terrified. And you did. You chose to fight. To step into that furnace of blood and madness and pain, and fight. Despite your fear.”

⛔️ SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR THE FAITHFUL AND THE FALLEN SERIES IN THIS REVIEW!! ⛔️

i was initially intrigued the most by this series when i first got into John gwynne, but naturally i knew i couldn’t start with this one. safe to say, it was well worth the wait to finally get to read it. the tone was a lot darker and the magic was more .. fantastical? or i guess what you’d expect from a fantasy book than the faithful and the fallen was. we follow 4 POVs: Drem, Bleda, Sig and Riv. Drem was by far my favorite but i honestly liked all the characters and found them interesting besides Bleda who kind of fell to the wayside a bit for me in this first book. there were so many nods to Corban, the descendants and the other series characters that had me reminiscing. all the twists / turns kept me hooked, especially towards the end with Riv specifically. the action scenes were incredible as always, if you’ve read Gwynne you’ll know that already. i can’t wait to continue on and see where this series and story will take me next.

[Deborah Obida · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Only good Kadoshim is a dead Kadoshim.’

This book is my fifth by the author, not only did I rate them all 5 stars, they are all in my favourite books shelf, am glad for that. So I'll be optimistic and expect the best from him, I didn't even notice until Petrik mentioned it.

This book is a spin-off series of his initial Faithful and the Fallen book series. Just like its predecessors this book wowed me in all the areas. There was no boring moment in this, I was hooked from the beginning to the end, the only problem I have now is that book two won't be published till April 2019.

‘Rules are not iron, and breaking them not always a sin,’

There is a balance of everything in this book, its diverse ( both race and gender), its action packed, has great dialogue, perfect depictions, religion, love, loyalty, friendship etc.

World building and Writing
If you are not familiar with John Gwynne's books, just know this, he is a master when it comes to world buildings, perfect and straight to the point depictions. The writing is astounding and easy to read. The book is written in third person multiple POVs of the four main characters.

Characters
There are lots of amazing characters in this, but am only going to focus in the four that has POVs

Drem ben Olin is a young, kind, honest, honourable man in his early twenties, he is a descendant of one of the survivors from the previous series. He and his father Olin are trackers/ hunter, so yes he can fight, all he knows about the day of Wrath is what he heard in the stories, but that changed when strange things started happening around him. He is also my favourite character.

Riv is a teeneger and white wing( humans that fight alongside Ben Elim, to hunt and kill the Kadoshims, they all live in Drassil with some giants) in training. She is pious, quick to anger and reckless, a very bad combination, I didn't like her at first but she grew on me.

Bleda, I liked him from his first POV, he is also a teenager who lives in Drassil as a ward of the Ben Elim, He is stoic, loyal and a good person. Unlike Riv he is not reckless, he rarely even lets emotions show on his face.

Sig is a female giant and a survivor fron Wrath that lives in Dun Seren, she fights with The Order( Humans and giants that fights, hunts and kill the Kadoshims) founded by you know who. She and the descendants of the war of Wrath work together.

Some of my other favourites that don't have POVs include Cullen, Jost and Vald.

Plot
A century and some decades after the day of Wrath, the Kadoshims are almost hunted to extinction, The Ben Elims and Order still train but the rest of humanity thinks of what happened as almost a myth, thinking the Kadoshims are all dead, little did they know that what they are planning is worse than what happened when the Starstone fell.

"They think we are broken.
We are not.
They think we are defeated.
We are not".

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading John Gwynne and I seriously debated whether or not to read the original trilogy before picking up a tale hundreds of years after the events there. It was a close thing, but I decided the strength of his writing would either wow me or it wouldn't.

As a matter of fact, his characterizations while not too varied or unusual for the fantasy genre at all, are still rather well done for all that. Time and effort are taken, drawing out familial relations and emotional impacts and a broad setup for the oncoming war, getting to know all the players through the individuals within it. I've seen much worse epic fantasies, but I will admit he does improve on a lot of the classics. For example, the farmboy with a destiny trope was given a lot of time and care and it was quite believable and impactful DESPITE being one of the oldest tropes in the book. The rest of the character threads were also quite entertaining.

I was tantalized by the past, of course, and enjoyed seeing what kind of races filled this book, from angels and demons cohabitating the land, giants, and even mounted bears. The action is plentiful, dark, and bloody.

He pulls off the trick with gray areas quite nicely. It's not so clear who are the good guys and who are the bad. For that, I think I enjoyed the book even more. I wouldn't quite call this grimdark, but it's definitely a series I'll consider continuing!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

“Sometimes the only answer is blood and steel.”

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I loved getting to revisit the Banished Lands, which is among by favorite fantasy worlds. On the other, seeing the way this world has changed in the over a century since the events of The Faithful and the Fallen (TFatF) was painful. But that’s part of the point.

While Gwynne’s original series set in the Banished Land had a lot of warring and sadness and character deaths, I wouldn’t call it grimdark. There was a hopefulness to the story that in my opinion negated that genre. However, I would say that this first book of the followup series is undoubtedly grimdark. The brightness that managed to shine through in the first series isn’t present here, which made me sad. That said, I get the reasoning behind it. The world that the cast of TFatF fought for has been preserved, but at a high price. It has been undeniably altered, and not for the better. Looking back on the events of the first four books, this alteration saddens me because it makes the fight feel like it wasn’t worth the cost. But that’s not true, and I’m hoping that in the second installment of this followup series, we’ll see a bit more of the hope that defined TFatF.

We have a cast of mainly new characters who had no part in the events of the first series. This makes perfect sense, seeing as over a hundred years have passed. But we do have a couple of carry-over characters, which made me incredibly happy! I won’t tell you who they are, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but anyone who loved TFatF will be pleased to see some familiar names. Gwynne did a great job with his four point-of-view characters; they all brought something different to the table and showed four very different views of their world in its current state. Three of these characters, Bleda, Riv, and Drem, are new and young, and have been raised on stories of past. The characters of the original series are legends to these three, which is always an interesting leap for readers. Also, Gwynne continues to write wonderful animal characters, and great relationships between man and beast. That was one of my favorite aspects of the first series, and I was very happy to see that continued in this book.

The setting of this book is very dark, at least compared to the preceding series. I don’t want to give anything away by explaining why it’s so dark, so I’m just going to say that you need to prepare yourself for a nearly unrelenting atmosphere of darkness when you pick up this book. There was some disturbing stuff within these pages. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I would have been more in the mood for something this bleak. However, Gwynne did end the book on a high note, which alleviated some of that bleakness for me. I really appreciated that writing decision.

While I didn’t love it as much as the first series, I’m really excited to see where Gwynne takes the story. His writing has improved (though I thought it was wonderful before), and this series is already less tropey that the one before it. While I enjoyed the first series because of the tropes, I’m incredibly interested to see what Gwynne does outside of them.

If you haven’t read Gwynne’s first series, The Faithful and the Fallen, I can’t recommend strongly enough that you read those before reading this book. While this is the start of a new series, it’s going to pack a lot more punch if you’re already familiar with the world Gwynne built in TFatF. There are a lot of things that I caught and loved that would have fallen flat had I not read those four books before picking up this one. Also, that series was simply wonderful in my opinion, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/03/03/...

This was my first time reading John Gwynne, and wow, he is the real deal, folks. Now I wish I had jumped on board his Faithful and the Fallen series when I had the chance. However, I am glad I was able to read his new book, A Time of Dread, which is the start of a new trilogy called Of Blood and Bone.

Set in the same world as Gwynne’s previous series, this novel takes place approximately 120 years after Wrath, its concluding volume. Thankfully, you don’t have to be familiar with anything that happened before, since this story is designed in such a way that even newcomers like me could pick it up with ease. Peace had finally come to the Land of the Faithful, following the defeat of Kadoshim hordes led by their commander Asroth. The race of warrior angels known as the Ben-Elim, who fought alongside the humans and giants to victory, now rule from their fortress of Drassil, hunting down the remnants of their enemy. The demonic hordes of the Kadoshim may be shattered and their leader imprisoned, but Asroth still has many faithful followers who are out there committing the worst kinds of atrocities, hoping that their side will one day rise again.

In true epic fantasy fashion, A Time of Dread is told through the perspectives of less than four characters, starting with Bleda, a young prince from a warrior tribe who was taken from his home to become a ward of the Ben-Elim in order to promote peace between their peoples. Feeling out of place at Drassil, he nonetheless trains with the other fighters so that he can fit in and help his hosts defend their fortress. Next up is Drem, a boy who was raised in the wilderness by his nomadic father, who taught his son all kinds of survival skills like how to trap and hunt. One day, Drem stumbles upon a number of mutilated corpses in the forest, a clear sign that demonic black magic may be at work. Then there’s Riv, another warrior-in-training within the walls of Drassil, who hopes to one day join her mother and sister in the ranks of the White Wings, the elite soldiers of the Ben-Elim. And finally, there’s Sig, who was apparently a side character in the Faithful and the Fallen series, but now she gets her chance to shine as a major POV. A bear-riding giantess, Sig is partnered with the Ben-Elim, patrolling the area for any threats.

This may seem like a lot to take in, but the novel starts off at measured pace and introduces each element of the world gradually, filling in its rich history and the characters’ backgrounds. This narrative steadily broadens as we move from within the confines of fortresses into the wider spheres beyond, focusing on the big picture and the roles our main characters play within this framework. Some of them are linked almost right away, such as the interactions between Riv and Bleda hinting at a burgeoning relationship between them, while others like Drem lie in wait in the sidelines until the time comes for his involvement in the story’s overall conflict.

Of course, as with most multi-POV books, I had my personal favorites like Sig. However, because of how well the author balanced character development, I felt I could connect with any of them no matter how often the focus switched between them. I found all of them equally compelling, my heart going out to Bleda for his bravery and determination to do what’s right no matter what, Riv for her genuine personality even though she can be quite temperament and impulsive at times, Drem for his independence and resilience to bounce back from tragedy and loss, and Sig for her loyalty and the great wisdom she has acquired over her long life. Each character had something useful to bring to the table, not to mention different reasons to cheer for them, and together they gave this book an eclectic assortment of personalities and viewpoints, keeping things interesting.

The only criticism I have is the slow pacing of the first half, but quite honestly, it’s a common enough pattern when it comes to epic fantasy series openers, so I’m certainly not going to hold that against the novel too much. There was also a lot of world-building to establish and plenty of characters to introduce, so the extra time spent on these details was necessary, not to mention the fascinating tidbits of lore revealed from the previous series also made it all worth it.

In the end, I’m glad I got to finally read John Gwynne, and A Time of Dread was a very good place to start. While the story may have been slower to take off, the second half of the book was incredibly thrilling and intense, leaving me thoroughly entranced and eager to continue the saga.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Paced Action and Suspense!

I am just going to lay thoughts out instead of doing a backstory as there is quite a bit of moving parts in this story with main characters and villains that it would be hard to go into great detail of what takes place without giving away spoilers.

Thoughts:

I loved the first series of the Banished Lands and reading this series felt like coming home! There are more characters to love (Drem, Riv, and Sig) as each one of them evolves in this story. The author once again has a chapter rotation for the characters and what each one goes through as they find out that the Banished Lands are being threatened with dark forces rising and all of them have a part to play within this story.

This story has triumphs and defeats - once again there is an emotional upheaval with things that take place in the story. I felt that this book read fast for me - I have seen a few reviews saying it was a slow burn but I didn't feel that - if anything I thought it was fast paced and things happen right away when first reading the story.

This series is connected to the first series as things are mentioned from the previous books and there are some revelations within this story that breaks things wide open later in the book concerning the characters.

Another book to love and I will be continuing on with the rest of the series soon. I want to find out what will happen next for the characters on this journey into the Banished Lands.

Once again I can say this with a sword raised high: Truth and Courage!

Giving this book five "Sword Action" stars!

For digital artwork images, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We shall never forget!"

Wow! John Gwynne knows how to write a conclusion in each and every book. One of the best in the business IMO. I was both excited and heart broken by that ending. This book was very good and hard to put down the entire read. But, the last 50 pages were amazing, and I could not physically bring myself to put the book down. I just had to see what was going to happen next.

The pacing, the characters, and the backstory were all very nicely done. The Banished Lands from the first series has changed a lot in the last 100+ years, and not all for the better. Gwynne does a great job of informing the reader what has been happening slowly. How it has affected and changed the different regions, those people, and the factions within each. All of this is very easy to follow and the detail really enhances the enjoyment of the story.

One of the main things I have always loved about Gwynne's books are the characters. He just has a way of drawing out each personality so easily. I'm sure it's not as easy as he makes it seem, and a lot of time goes into each one. But, the end result we get as readers is really amazing. I am extremely partial to Drem. He has taken over as my favorite character in this series, where as Corban was in the first series.

"You cannot be truly brave unless you feel truly afraid. That's what courage is. Doing it anyway, even though you're scared. Sorry, terrified. And you did. You chose to fight. To step into that furnace of blood and madness and pain, and fight. Despite your fear."

The story is a slow buildup to certain turning points. Weather it be a turning point for a character, or the story itself. It is very easy to stay engaged and as I said above, very hard to put down. The pacing, characters, and overall atmosphere of the book is a true testament to a great fantasy read. Mr. Gwynne is one of the best and I look forward to reading more of his books in the years to come.

Actual Rating: 5 stars *****

Truth and Courage!!!