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A Time of Dread

(Of Blood and Bone #1)

John Gwynne (Goodreads Author)

4.32 · Rating details · 4,020 ratings · 624 reviews

Acclaimed epic fantasy author John Gwynne returns with the first book in a new trilogy, perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, and David Gemmell.
"A Time of Dread reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place."--Robin Hobb
A race of warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished ...more

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Hardcover, 480 pages

Published January 11th 2018 by Pan MacMillan (first published January 9th 2018)

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Sep 11, 2017 Petrik rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Epic Fantasy & The Faithful and the Fallen fans

Shelves: favorites, arcs-and-review-copies

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 Gwy ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 Mark Lawrence rated it it was amazing

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 t ...more

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Mar 26, 2019 Robin Hobb rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Readers of fantasy

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 ' ...more

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Sep 24, 2017 James Tivendale rated it it was amazing

Shelves: freecopy, fantasy

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 uni 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. ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Eon ♒Windrunner♒ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites

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 ...more

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Sep 12, 2017 Bentley ★ Bookbastion.net rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

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 f ...more

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Oct 30, 2017 Haïfa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs_review_copies, reread

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 l ...more

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Aug 15, 2018 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: paperback-own, own, fantasy-all, favorites

UPDATE: $2.99 Kindle US 4/19/19. I also just bought it on kindle because it’s my bday and there you go! I now have it on kindle, paperback and Audible!!

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 🖤🐶🐺🐶

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Feb 13, 2019 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-5-stars, fantastic-fantasy, no-kissy-kissy, awesome-audio, cool-creatures, 2019-reads, super-sidekicks, quit-crying-robin, kick-ass-heroines

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. ...more

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Dec 21, 2020 Hamad rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021-reads, rtc, paperbacks, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, fantasy

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

A Time of Dread ★★★★ 1/2

I should not have been afraid going into this because Gwynne apparently does not disappoint!

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Oct 02, 2017 Sebastien Castell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

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 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. ...more

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Sep 08, 2017 Sara rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, arc, fantasy, fiction

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 fortre 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. (view spoiler)

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. ...more

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Jul 31, 2017 Lady Luna. ✨ marked it as to-read

Finally a cover!

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

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Mar 17, 2019 TS Chan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: physical-owned

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 stam ...more

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Jul 20, 2019 Spencer Orey rated it it was amazing

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 ...more

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Jan 08, 2018 James Islington rated it it was amazing

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 ...more

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Apr 13, 2018 Celeste rated it really liked it

Recommended to Celeste by: Petrik

Shelves: fantasy

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 a 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! ...more

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Dec 16, 2018 Deborah Obida rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, favorite-books, adult

‘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 th ...more

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May 24, 2018 Bradley rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-shelf, fantasy

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 impact ...more

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Feb 26, 2018 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: review-copy, epic, fantasy

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 concludin 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. ...more

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Feb 15, 2018 J.P. Ashman rated it it was amazing

A super solid five stars from me (listened to this on Audible. Excellent narration, too).

I'm a fan of John's original series and was happy when I heard this new one was set in the same world, albeit it decades later. That latter works very well. Seeing what came of the struggles we lived and loved previously and how the descendants of those characters we came to know so well (as well as some who're still living!) deal with the aftermath of that terrible war is both intriguing and exciting.

Needle ...more

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Sep 16, 2017 Karina Webster rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: fantasy fans

First of all, a huge thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in advance. It was brilliant. Exactly the kind of fantasy I live for.

Now before I get started, I must confess that this is my first John Gwynne novel. His debut, Malice , was next on my pile to read when I was approved for this beauty so I thought I’d start here. Although I don’t regret it, I do feel like I have missed a lot of cool references to characters of his first series, The Faithful and the Fal First of all, a huge thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in advance. It was brilliant. Exactly the kind of fantasy I live for.

Now before I get started, I must confess that this is my first John Gwynne novel. His debut, Malice , was next on my pile to read when I was approved for this beauty so I thought I’d start here. Although I don’t regret it, I do feel like I have missed a lot of cool references to characters of his first series, The Faithful and the Fallen . For that reason, I found the first half of the book fairly slow, as new characters are introduced, the world explained and tales of the original heroes are told. There are a lot of talks and hints about previous characters which I am sure long time readers of Gwynne will love, I just wanted to get started with the new ones. Saying that, the slow start was necessary to making this book (and presumably, series) readable for those who are new to Gwynne and this world, me included. Now I don’t mind a slow pace so this did not put me off reading, but I wasn’t as glued to the story as I thought I might have been after the amazing reviews Gwynne already has for his work. However , I did just read the last 50% in one sitting this morning, so I can say with some certainty that this changes.

A Time of Dread is set in the world of the Banished Lands where warrior angels, the Ben-Elim, protect the humans of the realm against the threat of their great enemies, the demon race of the Kadoshim. Yet this is not a tale of Good vs Evil as you may think with that description. The lines between dark and light blur in this story, leaving you not sure who to trust and what to believe. Gwynne is a master story-teller. He weaves the lives of the four point of view characters excellently, revealing just enough of their personalities and knowledge of the world as they go through the novel for you to piece things together and come to your own conclusions. And then blasts them apart in the last 20%. The one thing I need to enjoy epic fantasy is great characters and A Time of Dread has these aplenty. We follow a young man in the Desolation, who understands the difference of right and wrong and wants the world to know it; a young human warrior in the Ben-Elim’s service, trying her best to prove she is worthy of being there; a ward of the Ben-Elim, taken as punishment from his clan to stop them from fighting; and a member of the people who don’t always see eye to eye with the Ben-Elim, but want the Kadoshim dead too. They each have different motives and feelings about the way their realm is governed and their unique insights are one of the main reasons this book is addictive. Even the side characters are well developed and complex. They all felt real, and as their dramas unfolded I really felt caught up in their adventure at every turn. At one point, I felt a certain character’s pain so strongly I had to put my kindle down and take a breath. This is why I love reading, and this novel truly takes you away from reality and pulls you into their world.

I love stories told from multiple perspectives as you get to see what’s happening in different areas of the world and see the action unfold around each character. This is also a great way to build up suspense. Gwynne had me cursing several times as huge events occurred in one character’s orbit and left you desperate to get back to them as the next chapter switches you across to the events on the other side of the world. So. Good. It is such an enjoyable experience to be in the hands of a great writer, if at times frustrating. But it’s that desperation to keep reading and then find equally shocking and exciting events happening to this character too that next thing you know you’ve finished the last 50% in a matter of hours and you’ve barely moved. It’s that absorbing.

I found that I did predict the revelation of the last chapter fairly early on in the book, but it was one I was pleased to be right about and left me so excited about the next book. I can’t give this the full five stars as I did find the first half a bit too slow, but it wasn’t enough to deter me and I think it was necessary to the story, it set many events in motion even if I didn’t know it at the time. I understand it’s importance but I can’t forget feeling a bit indifferent to picking it up again. But by the end I adored it, so I definitely recommend this to any fantasy fan and as suspected I am dying to read the next one, but will have to settle with starting Malice, and learning about this world as I was supposed to. And looking at the reviews for it, along with now knowing how talented John Gwynne is, I don’t think that is bad thing! I definitely have a new favourite author and I am looking forward to losing myself in the world of the Banished Lands. ...more

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Feb 28, 2018 Michael Britt rated it it was amazing

Actual rating: 4.75

Full review to come later, after I process this awesome story!

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Aug 13, 2018 Emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: library

Ok, so when’s the next one out??????

Review to follow.

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Jul 22, 2019 John Gwynne added it · (Review from the author)

A TIME OF DREAD is available on Amazon Kindle Monthly Deal, for only £0.99! Here is the link...

A Time of Dread Kindle Deal ...more

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Aug 05, 2020 Jody rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"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!!! ...more

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Feb 11, 2020 Terry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 2020-book-challenge, fantasy

Easily, 5/5 stars! What a privilege it is to be back in the Banished Lands again. I truly loved the first series, and knew that I would feel the same about this. Some of the characters from the first series are my favorites of all time, and now there are more to fall in love with again.

As for the story, it is truly epic fantasy at its best. Good vs evil on large scales, and on small scales, with twists and surprises abounding. Lots of great action, battle scenes and a fully realized world for i ...more

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May 03, 2020 Claudia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

If a book keeps me awake until 4 in the morning, then it deserves all possible stars - I simply couldn’t put it down until I finished it. And he did it again: made me love and hate him at the same time (view spoiler).

We find ourselves in the Banished Lands, a bit more than 130 years later. Humans still rule their lands (although they are not the same as in the past), but under the protectorate of Ben-Elim, which, as many start to figur ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Michael rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Epic fantasy fans and those who love the Faithful and the Fallen quaurtet

Recommended to Michael by: Petrik Leo

I have to admit that I held back on reading this for quite some time. When you are a big fan of an author's work you want to savour it, love it just as you did their last novel. I was a big fan of the Faithful and the Fallen quartet and I am happy to say that John Gwynne has done a great job with A Time Of Dread (Of Blood and Bone #1).

You can read this without having read the original quartet, though I would recommend reading them first to increase your knowledge of Gwynne's fantasy world. You I have to admit that I held back on reading this for quite some time. When you are a big fan of an author's work you want to savour it, love it just as you did their last novel. I was a big fan of the Faithful and the Fallen quartet and I am happy to say that John Gwynne has done a great job with A Time Of Dread (Of Blood and Bone #1).

You can read this without having read the original quartet, though I would recommend reading them first to increase your knowledge of Gwynne's fantasy world. You will find characters in those first four books that will become favourites (a few survive to be loved once more in this book). It also helps to know that Malice (Gwynne's first novel) sets it all up, which is why many people refer to it as a slow-burner.

I'll start off by saying what a beautiful cover this book has. I don't always mention the covers in reviews but I felt this one deserved a positive comment. I also love the short dedication to John's daughter Harriette. It is very touching and gives us all a sense of the love he has for his family. This is also demonstrated by the fact that John includes a character inspired by his youngest son, who is on the autistic spectrum.

This book is anything but a slow-burner. It continues the story of the Ben-Elim and their darker foes the Kadoshim, but there are many nice little side-plots going on that grab you and draw you in. I found it easy to slide back into the fantasy world of the Banished-Lands. The great fortress of Drassil and the different factions that exist there and in the dark forest of Thorn. Gwynne has a distinctive style that I really like. The way he constructs his books makes them easy to follow. Short chapters headed with the names of characters central to the main plot. When you find a formula that works, stick with it. David Gemmell (one of my heroes of fantasy literature) had that talent and John Gwynne has the knack too.

Of the characters themselves, I would have to say that Drem is my favourite. He has an unspoken nobility of spirit about him that I find it easy to admire. He is honourable and courageous and he tries to think things through before he speaks his mind.

I found that I liked Bleda but I didn't connect with him the way that I did with Drem. I found that I felt sorry for Riv and her situation early on. Her character grows significantly on you as you read further. Those are, in my opinion, the three major new characters, though there are others that readers of John's previous books would be familiar with. There is also the usual array of weird and wonderful beasts and birds that you find become integral to the way you view the story. I still say hello if I see a crow in the trees at the bottom of my garden. Lol.

It is sometimes hard to differentiate between who is good and who is evil in these books but I think that this is by design, rather than merely coincidental. The Ben-Elim are the lesser evil to that of their Kadoshim foes. I think that is the best way to describe it.

I shall sign off with a quote that I liked:

Self-control can save your life, whereas lack of control ... It can make it feel as if nothing exists except now. And that the future fades in the mind.

If you like well-considered epic fantasy with lots of diverse characters, (including beasts and birds) and well-researched combat sequences this is the book you should think about reading. I will say again, read Malice, Valour, Ruin and Wrath first, then this book will make far more sense and have far more depth to its story. (Not essential but recommended).

Well done John Gwynne on another 5-star effort! I look forward to the next instalment.
...more

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Aug 01, 2020 Justine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-read, 2020-tbr-challenge

4.5 stars

Basically the 4.5 starting for A Time of Dread is to leave some room for upward movement on books 2 and 3 of the trilogy. Set 100 years after The Faithful and the Fallen series, this book is still an ideal place to start with John Gwynne no matter your background with his books.There is sufficient discussion of any relevant history for those who are visiting the Banished Lands for the first time, or who, like me, certainly can't remember all the detail from books read years ago...or eve ...more

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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult SciFi/ Fantasy series. Angels rule everything after being cast down from heaven. Wars between Giants riding bears, Demons, and Angels. Cover: white with blue (or red) smoke? Published 2017-2020. [s]	6	20	Dec 16, 2020 05:44AM
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About John Gwynne

John Gwynne

3,779 followers

Malice is my debut novel. Goldsboro Books of London, specialists in signed first-editions, have made Malice their 'Book of the Month' for December 2012.

I was born in Singapore while my dad was stationed there in the RAF. Up until he retired that meant a lot of traveling around, generally a move every three years or so.

I live with my wife and four wonderful (and demanding) children in East Sussex. ...more