John Gwynne is best known for his epic fantasy series, The Faithful and the Fallen, which consists of four books: Malice, Valour, Ruin, and Wrath. The series is set in the Banished Lands, a world of magic and danger, and is a classic story depicting the struggle between good and evil.
John Gwynne is an excellent writer with a rapidly growing and loyal following of fantasy readers. His work features unique fantasy worlds, gritty battle scenes, fast-paced plots, and well-developed characters. He’s been praised for his ability to create vivid and believable fantasy worlds populated by characters that readers care about.
In this article, we take a look at the best of John Gwynne’s books, the order of their publication, and where you should start.
In What Order Should I Read John Gwynne’s Books?
John Gwynne’s first book, Malice, was published in 2012. Since then he’s reliably published one book a year. So, where should you start?
Each of the series by John Gwynne stands independent of the others, meaning you don’t need to read The Faithful and the Fallen before the Bloodsworn Saga. However, when starting a new series you want to start at the beginning — so really there are three books to consider:
- Malice, the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen series.
- A Time of Dread, the first book in the Blood & Bone series.
- The Shadow of the Gods, the first book in The Bloodsworn Saga.
For my part, I would recommend The Shadow of the Gods as your first stop — simply because it’s my favourite. However, the Bloodsworn Saga is not yet finished. If you’re looking for a completed series you can sit down and devour from end to end, then start with Malice from The Faithful and the Fallen.
Readers that like John Gwynne and epic fantasy may also like David Gemmell and his Drenai Series.
Publication Order of John Gwynne’s Books
The Faithful and the Fallen Series
There are four books in The Faithful and the Fallen series. Set in the Banished Lands — a world where ancient monsters are reawakening and a war to end all wars is about to begin — the critically acclaimed series opens with Malice, which has no fewer than seven points of view and is a tale of greed, ambition, and betrayal. It’s also worth noting that Malice won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for best debut fantasy.
- Malice by John Gwynne (2012)
- Valor by John Gwynne (2014)
- Ruin by John Gwynne (2015)
- Wrath by John Gwynne (2016)
The Blood & Bone Series
There are three books in the Blood & Bone series. Set in the same world as The Faithful and the Fallen — the Banished Lands — this series is another epic battle between good and evil. The race of warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, rules the Banished Lands with a brutal hand. Giants and men war, and demonkind waits impatiently for their time to be realised in flesh.
- A Time of Dread by John Gwynne (2018)
- A Time of Blood by John Gwynne (2019)
- A Time of Courage by John Gwynne (2020)
The Bloodsworn Saga
The Bloodsworn Saga is a Norse-inspired dark fantasy tale set in a new world lying broken after the last battle between the gods — gods that now lie dead or in slumber. The bones of the dead gods hold great power for those brave enough — or desperate enough — to seek them out.
The first book, The Shadow of the Gods, follows three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn. All three will shape the fate of the world as it once more falls under the shadow of the gods.
- The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne (2021)
- The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (2022)
- Untitled (2023)
About The Faithful and the Fallen Series
Malice by John Gwynne (2012)
Malice by John Gwynne is set in the Banished Lands, a place of violence where men and giants battle and the earth remembers their blood. Now, monsters stir, and those who can still read the signs see a danger far worse than all that has come before.
Some of the main characters include Corban, who has grand ideals of heroism and wants to be a warrior, to protect and serve — but bloodshed is rarely heroic. Evnis wants the power to rule, a power that will soon be in his grasp, and he will do anything to get it. Veradis, one of the most skilled swordsmen to have ever lived, exists in his brother’s shadow. And Prince Nathair has plans that largely disagree with his father the High King.
Valor by John Gwynne (2014)
Valor is the immediate follow-on to Malice — a non-stop action novel with excellent pacing, unexpected twists, and high-stakes battles.
It continues to follow the same characters including Corban, Nathair, and Veradis. Corban and his friends must flee north after their home of Dun Crin is invaded. Nathair, fresh from victories in Arcona, has launched a holy crusade in the Banished Lands. Veradis, fiercely loyal to the crusade, starts to question the moral implications surrounding the expedition.
Gwynne also introduces several new characters: Fidele, mother to Nathair; Maquin, who dreams of revenge but must first fight his way out of the pits; and Lykos, king of the three southern isles.
Ruin by John Gwynne (2015)
The third in The Faithful and the Fallen series continues the gripping battle of good versus evil.
The Banished Lands are now fully engulfed in war and chaos. The cunning Queen Rhin has conquered the west, and High King Nathair has the cauldron — the most powerful of the seven treasures. At his back stands the scheming Calidus and a warband of the Kadoshim, dread demons of the Otherworld. They plan to bring Asroth and his host of the Fallen into the world of flesh, but to do so they need the seven treasures.
Nathair has been deceived but now knows the truth. Corban must finally stop running and face his fate head-on, and Maquin is finally loose but hunted by Lykos and his corsairs.
Wrath by John Gwynne (2016)
The fourth instalment in The Faithful and the Fallen series is the breathtaking, pulse-pounding conclusion to the epic series.
The war reaches new heights as the characters finally realise their destinies. Nathair is close to opening the portal to the Otherworld and allowing Asroth and his demon-horde into the Banished Lands. Corban must make new allies to survive, and somehow counter the threat Nathair represents. Truth, courage, and loyalty will be tested as never before.
About The Bloodsworn Saga
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne (2021)
After the gods warred and drove themselves to extinction, the cataclysm of their fall shattered the land of Vigrið. Now a new world is rising, where power-hungry jarls feud and monsters stalk the woods and mountains — and the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave enough to seek them out.
As whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people: a huntress on a dangerous quest, a noblewoman who has rejected privilege in pursuit of battle fame, and a thrall who seeks vengeance among the famed mercenaries known as the Bloodsworn.
The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne (2022)
Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison and now plots a new age of blood and conquest. As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own, and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance.
Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her Dragonborn followers — but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god.
Readers looking for books containing dragons might like: The Farseer Trilogy, Dragons and Beyond: Robin Hobb’s Books
Is the Bloodsworn Saga set in the same universe as The Faithful and the Fallen?
Unlike the Blood & Bone books and The Faithful and the Fallen series, which are set in the Banished Lands, the Bloodsworn Saga explores a new Norse-inspired world, with dead gods and monsters. Here, the dread dragon god Lik-Rifa the soul-stealer shall be released from her ancient tomb to threaten all of Vigrid and usher in a new era of blood, death, and conquest.
How many books are there in the Bloodsworn Saga?
There are currently two books in the Bloodsworn Saga, with the third expected later in 2023.
You might also like 20 Best Dragon Books For Adults.
Final Words: John Gwynne and Epic Fantasy
John Gwynne is an exceptional author for readers seeking a gripping and fast-paced epic fantasy. His novels are renowned for their exploration of complex characters who navigate the murky waters between good and evil, all while facing the looming threat of powerful and terrifying monsters, demons, and gods.
Through his vivid and detailed world-building, Gwynne has crafted a rich and immersive universe in both the Banished Lands and Vigrid. His stories will keep you engaged from start to finish, combining action, intrigue, and compelling character development into a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre. His work has won numerous awards including several David Gemmell awards.
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