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A Time of Blood

(Of Blood and Bone #2)

John Gwynne (Goodreads Author)

4.40 · Rating details · 2,674 ratings · 344 reviews

Defy the darkness. Defend the light.

Drem and his friends flee the battle at Starstone Lake to warn the Order of the Bright Star. They’ve witnessed horrors they’ll never forget, such as magic warping men into beasts. But worst of all, they’ve seen a demon rise from the dead – making it even more powerful. Now Fritha, the demons’ high priestess, is hunting Drem’s party.

Conce ...more

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Hardcover, 496 pages

Published April 18th 2019 by Pan Macmillan (first published April 16th 2019)

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· 2,674 ratings · 344 reviews

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Start your review of A Time of Blood (Of Blood and Bone, #2)

Dec 03, 2018 Petrik rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: TFatF & epic fantasy fans

Shelves: favorites, arcs-and-review-copies

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

A Time of Blood earned my absolutely undying praise for its impeccable, top-notch quality.

Currently, there are only three fantasy authors in the world who can compel me to drop every book in my reading plan and start their newest published work instead; John Gwynne is one of them. There will never be a shortage of praises I can give towards Gwynne’s books. I’m serious, I have insanely high expectations towards his book ...more

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Dec 01, 2018 John Gwynne added it · (Review from the author)

A Time of Blood has hit 1000 ratings! Thanks to all of the warband who continue the story with Drem, Riv, Bleda and the others.

A Time of Courage is set for next Spring...

TRUTH AND COURAGE

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Feb 07, 2019 Mark Lawrence rated it it was amazing

From a short distance this book looks like one long fight scene, which isn't a bad thing as Gwynne writes very good fight scenes, all the way from duels through skirmishes to pitched battles.

There are, however, a good number of pauses in which more character is built, and in which the plot is thickened and stirred.

A significant part of the book is also the literary equivalent of setting out your soldiers, something I used to do a lot as a little boy, arranging my armies of Airfix troops against ...more

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Dec 02, 2018 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing

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

I have a tendency to use this gif a lot for my books because it says it all about how I feel 😉

BLOODY HELL!! This book freaking rocked! Of course I knew it would!!

There are so many people and things and animals I loved in this book!

Drem
Cullen
Keld
Fen
Hammer (Sig =( )
Rab
Flick
Riv
Bleda

There are many more!

Oh, that ending!! I’m worried for everyone. 😫 But I cant wait for the next book!! 🤔😉

Eh, here’s some pics and stuff.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

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May 21, 2019 James Tivendale rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, freecopy

I received an uncorrected proof copy of A Time of Blood in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank John Gwynne and Pan Macmillian for the opportunity. This review will contain spoilers for A Time of Dread.

The second entry in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy starts one day after the legendary giant Sig's last stand against the Kadoshim forces. Her heroism granted her comrades enough time to escape and we pick up the action with Drem, Cullen and Keld. In the wake of the destruction and t I received an uncorrected proof copy of A Time of Blood in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank John Gwynne and Pan Macmillian for the opportunity. This review will contain spoilers for A Time of Dread.

The second entry in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy starts one day after the legendary giant Sig's last stand against the Kadoshim forces. Her heroism granted her comrades enough time to escape and we pick up the action with Drem, Cullen and Keld. In the wake of the destruction and the horrors they have witnessed the group race towards sanctuary at the fortress of Dun Seren. Elsewhere, white-wing Riv and Sirak Prince Bleda are debating their options after the attack of the Ben Elim's stronghold of Drassil, taking into consideration the revelation that Riv is now clearly a winged half-breed. If she is seen in her current, true form the consequences would be drastic and Riv would be executed as an abomination.

Akin to A Time of Dread, this novel also follows four point of view perspectives. Readers will be familiar with the characters and viewpoints of the trapper Drem, the warrior Riv and the archer Bleda. A new perspective is that of Fritha - a priestess and captain of the Kadoshim's covens. This is our first insight into the mind of a player on the 'evil' side. Although she was featured in the first book - mainly as Drem's infatuation and ultimate betrayer - here, Gwynne fleshes her out as a character expertly. Throughout her chapters, she reflects about her upbringing, the loss of her child, her current motives and her overall mission objectives. We witness that she has legitimate reasons for her hatred and is not just a two-dimensional warped, pure evil lady. There is very little in Gwynne's The Banished Lands that is 100% good or 100% evil. The distinction is cloudier and greyer in this series than what came prior, with the Ben-Elim and Kadoshim now residing in the human world. The Ben-Elim are now intune with and tempted by a plethora of human-like emotions that they did not know in the Otherworld.

In my opinion, Gwynne does two things better than the majority of fantasy writers.

Firstly, making me truly, truly care about the characters he's constructed. There were many moments throughout this narrative where events from The Faithful and the Fallen were mentioned and just remembering the characters and the impact they had on me led to my tears actually blurring the words on the page I was reading before I realised it. After spending more time with Of Blood and Bone's ensemble - through battles, betrayals, will they/won't they love dramas, camaraderie and a sense of belonging - I care for the main and side players much more than I did in the first instalment. I've always enjoyed Gwynne's depiction of animals and the parts they play to the overall narrative. Here we have loyal wolven-hounds, talking birds, flirting bears and some crazy warped concoctions of monstrosities too.

Secondly, and I'll keep this one shortish because if you've read any of Gwynne's releases you'll be more than aware that he writes battles, duels, skirmishes and confrontations better than anyone in the business right now.

After epic battles galore, the final few moments are stunning and I have no idea what implications this event will cause for the series' final entry. I cannot wait at all! Hopefully, knowing John's work rate, the conclusion to the trilogy will arrive sometime next year (crosses fingers). Although this isn't my favourite of Gwynne's works, it is still pretty phenomenal. Gwynne is one of the finest modern fantasy writers around. The Order of the Bright Star shout 'Truth and Courage' when they charge into battle. Looking at the consistent, high quality of Gwynne's outings, I imagine when he writes he has a mantra that states 'anything below excellent is not good enough.' ...more

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Dec 09, 2018 Emma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Following on from the catastrophic finale of A Time of Dread, this is a high action, high tension blinder of a read. When you pick it up that first time be prepared not to put it down till the last page. It follows standard film sequel rules: bigger, bolder, bloodier. There are all kinds of monstrous creatures chucked in, perhaps running a little too far with it at times… I’m looking at you Ulf and crew. Still, it makes for some seriously incredible scenes, cinematic and deadly. Even with all th Following on from the catastrophic finale of A Time of Dread, this is a high action, high tension blinder of a read. When you pick it up that first time be prepared not to put it down till the last page. It follows standard film sequel rules: bigger, bolder, bloodier. There are all kinds of monstrous creatures chucked in, perhaps running a little too far with it at times… I’m looking at you Ulf and crew. Still, it makes for some seriously incredible scenes, cinematic and deadly. Even with all this action, the absolute standout was the characters, or one in particular: Drem. He is the heart of this book, the one to stand with and cheer for. What he considers to be his limitations are the very reason his thoughts and actions are so meaningful, he overcomes them, pushing through his boundaries to be the hero everyone else knows him to be. He feels the most real, especially as he’s the one person who genuinely develops in this offering, there is real change and growth. If there is a Bright Star here, he’s it.

Which feeds right into the problem with this series, for me at least. I just don’t love these people anywhere near as much as I do those in the Faithful and the Fallen. Yes, yes, I know how rubbish a reader that makes me. It’s like I broke up with someone and can’t move on. But the memory of the past is too strong and its influence is everywhere, from the battle call ‘Truth and Courage’ to the statute of Corban and Storm that stands outside Dun Seren, from the sword dance to the shield wall. Details big and small pervade every aspect of this series, so much that the story actually relies on it. There is an inescapable commemoration of the people and events from the original series, it might be history here but it’s far from forgotten. The tales of heroism and sacrifice are not just myth, they remain in the memories of the long lived and have been passed down in ways which have ensured they form the political, cultural, and emotional foundations of society. Even when negatively framed, communities are still constructed as a direct response to the past. And all it does is make me miss it more. Intellectually, I know how ridiculous and unrealistic this is. John Gwynne can’t write about the same people forever no matter how much I want him to (and that kind of thing never works anyway), but I can’t help but feel the emotional connection is lacking in comparison. It’s exacerbated by the relative lightness of this series, there’s not as much time or space for development of new characters, again leaving them to be defined in part by the past. It circles round and round again.

In any case, if you know John Gwynne then you know that things end on a pretty dire note. And perhaps you also realise how much of an understatement that is. I think I can get away with saying that there are insane battles. That nobody is safe. And that I really hope John Gwynne knows how he’s going to get people out of this goddamn mess, because I sure don’t…

ARC via Netgalley ...more

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Dec 26, 2018 Sebastien Castell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

A Time of Blood is the second book in John Gwynne's new fantasy epic of warring angelic beings, their demonic nemeses, and, most of all, the people caught in the middle. It's a tale of good versus evil, but not the kind I was expecting, which is why this book is so damned good.

The very idea of good versus evil strikes me as one of the most pernicious notions ever devised by human beings. It lets us burn a brand into the very soul of those we dislike and gives us the moral freedom to use whatever A Time of Blood is the second book in John Gwynne's new fantasy epic of warring angelic beings, their demonic nemeses, and, most of all, the people caught in the middle. It's a tale of good versus evil, but not the kind I was expecting, which is why this book is so damned good.

The very idea of good versus evil strikes me as one of the most pernicious notions ever devised by human beings. It lets us burn a brand into the very soul of those we dislike and gives us the moral freedom to use whatever means, no matter how vile, to vanquish them. It turns our enemies into Tolkien's orcs – the infinitely abusable physical personifications of all we revile. Many fantasy authors nowadays, well aware of the clichéd baggage that comes along with "good versus evil" try to posit instead a kind of moral equivalency. It's a tactically useful device for modern fantasy, but one that's often unsatisfying because it removes any kind of real moral tension from the reader's experience. We're all bad. We're all good. So who cares? Just tell me who the enemy is and let’s go kill him.

Gwynne takes a different approach with A Time of Dread and especially the sequel, A Time of Blood. There's no real moral equivalency between the angelic Ben-Elim and the demonic Kadoshim. One views humanity as something to be protected, the other as something to be used or destroyed. But the Ben-Elim are . . . how shall I put this? Arseholes. They're so convinced of their inherent goodness and superiority that their notion of protecting humanity amounts to controlling everything about our lives even while they break their own laws in secret and force others to pay the price for those actions. It's through the gradual reveal of those actions that we see that the Ben-Elim have brought much of this unfolding war down on their own heads – as well as those of the human beings they claim to protect. Watching the human characters in the novel deal with those repercussions is what makes A Time of Blood so compelling.

Above all else, though, what you get from A Time of Blood is the sense of heart that runs throughout the book. No one escapes the consequences of their emotions, their loves and hates, their losses. There are moments of tremendous hope and scenes of terrible heartache. A Time of Blood is dark and wrenching and yet always promises there must be an answer somewhere – so long as the characters keep searching for something beyond the false morality of either of the two great forces bringing their world to war.

For all the angelic Ben-Elim and giants, the bat-winged Kadoshim and feral creatures, the magic and wondrous animals, A Time of Blood is a profoundly human story, told by an author who seems determined to make the reader reach for something deep inside themselves that is brave and virtuous, and above all, decent. John Gwynne writes fantasy with the heart of a hero and the inventiveness of a master mage. ...more

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Jan 22, 2019 Nils | nilsreviewsit rated it it was amazing

‘“We live our lives by Truth and Courage. Love and loyalty, friendship and honour are our guiding lights.”’
~
John Gwynne must be a sorcerer because A Time of Blood is one hell of a monumental book. This sequel leaps straight into the action, and begins directly after the climax of the first book, A Time of Dread. Immediately there is plenty of tension and some more bloody and amazing battles which continue throughout. I was literally glued to this book and didn’t want it to end. All I want to do ‘“We live our lives by Truth and Courage. Love and loyalty, friendship and honour are our guiding lights.”’
~
John Gwynne must be a sorcerer because A Time of Blood is one hell of a monumental book. This sequel leaps straight into the action, and begins directly after the climax of the first book, A Time of Dread. Immediately there is plenty of tension and some more bloody and amazing battles which continue throughout. I was literally glued to this book and didn’t want it to end. All I want to do is shout GO READ THIS!
⚔️
Gwynne makes it harder to define good vs evil in this instalment. Both sides have done malicious acts, and therefore we cannot help but query the motives and the decisions made by both the Ben-Elim and the Kadoshim. I admire how Gwynne took the fantasy theme of good vs evil, twisted it and in turn blurred the lines of what is right and what is wrong; which made the reader feel conflicted. This is exactly what I look for in my fantasy books, where everything is so morally grey.
~
“‘War makes monsters of us all,’ Fritha said. ’And the trouble with war is that it follows you. Sometimes there is no escaping it. Sometimes the only choice is to choose which side you stand on.’”
~
There was much journeying in this book, as characters travelled through the Banished Lands to warn of the Kadoshim’s threat, or other characters whom serve the Kadoshim, try to prevent this from occurring. However this never became tedious. The pace didn’t really slow as the four main characters faced betrayals, hardship, warfare, and even a variety of monstrous creatures along the way. There was always something happening to hold my intrigue. In fact, my heart was racing throughout the whole book, fearing for all my favourites! Gwynne‘s novels definitely should come with a health warning!
⚔️
As well as physical journeying, there was plenty of character exploration too. Once again Drem was my favourite. He was portrayed as vulnerable, and overwhelmed, as his previous sheltered life is torn away and he is suddenly catapulted into a dangerous quest. Drem displayed many characteristics of Autism, and through him is represented some of the difficulties Autistic people face. Despite these difficulties, at no point did his character ever give up or lose hope. He did what needed to be done even when it was completely out of his comfort zone. It made my heart so happy to see a type of disability finally portrayed in a positive way. This was definitely refreshing.
⚔️
Drem’s companions Keld, Cullen, and not forgetting my favourite animal characters Hammer and Rab, were all so entertaining. I adore the way Gwynne portrays friendship of humans and animals in all of his books, and I always look forward to seeing the bonds that they form. To cut through the dark themes of the book, these characters provided much banter and humour; especially Cullen whom was often completely insane! Again this is something I love to see.
⚔️
Riv, a character quick to anger, extremely stubborn and often immature; and the character Bleda; an emotionally guarded young warrior, grew on me so much more in this book. As the lies unfold and they both learn hard truths, their whole world is revealed to be not as black and white as they previously believed. Even though Riv retains her fiery spirit, she slowly begins to mature, and through her close friendship with Bleda, we see her gentle side.
~
‘Each small step taken for the greater good, and then before you know it, you have walked a thousand leagues from where you used to be. And how do you return to that place, return to the person you were?’
~
What captivated me the most in this book was the way Gwynne built up the tension, the immense threat and created such a dark atmosphere throughout. All sides were preparing for war; dark fantastical creatures were coming into existence, hatred and the need for vengeance was spreading. Then in the last 100 pages of the book, BANG, everything exploded into complete chaos. This made for the most intense thrilling scenes.
⚔️
The whole book felt as though it was building to a truly epic conclusion, and I’m scared, but also very much looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
~
Arc provided by Tor UK (Pan Macmillan) in exchange for an honest review. All quotes used are taken from the arc, and are subject to change upon publication.
~
A Time of Blood is out now! ...more

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Apr 08, 2019 Celeste rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher (Orbit) in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh man. I wish time travel was a thing so I could dart into the future and get my hands on the last book of this trilogy. I need the final installment immediately.

“We live our lives by Truth and Courage. Love and loyalty, friendship and honour are our guiding lights.”

I absolutely adore ...more

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Jan 18, 2021 Hamad rated it really liked it

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

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

A Time of Dread ★★★★ 1/2
A Time of Blood ★★★★ 1/2

I know I almost did in all my reviews of the series buuuut
TRUTH AND COURAGE!!

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Sep 21, 2018 William Gwynne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, reviewed, favourite-series, hardback

A Time of Blood paperback is out today!

A Time of Blood

A Time of Blood comes out today in the UK and has already been published in North America a few days ago. Very proud of my father John Gwynne as another book of his is released. His 6th book in total now and nearing the end of the second series.

Each book by him just gets better and better, so if you have enjoyed any work by John Gwynne, A Time of Blood will be a pleasure as well.

So happy publication day dad, I hope everyone who reads it love ...more

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Dec 21, 2018 Karina Webster rated it it was amazing

It’s not often that I finish a book I love and struggle to articulate why everyone else will love it too. It’s been over twelve hours since I finished this masterpiece and my prevailing thought remains ‘it’s fantastic, read it, it’s fantastic, read it’… So I will do my best to explain why you should. I’d also like to note that while there are references to events and characters in Gwynne’s The Faithful and the Fallen series, this series can be read without having read them.

A Time of Blood is the It’s not often that I finish a book I love and struggle to articulate why everyone else will love it too. It’s been over twelve hours since I finished this masterpiece and my prevailing thought remains ‘it’s fantastic, read it, it’s fantastic, read it’… So I will do my best to explain why you should. I’d also like to note that while there are references to events and characters in Gwynne’s The Faithful and the Fallen series, this series can be read without having read them.

A Time of Blood is the perfect sequel, it delivers more action, more tension, more bloody battles and further blurs the lines of good vs evil in a land where the heroes and villains of legend are still remembered, if not still alive. We continue to question motives and decisions and live in constant fear for the lives our favourites. Without the world building and character introductions necessary in a first book, A Time of Blood catapults us straight into the action and doesn’t let up, building tension for what promises to be a truly epic conclusion. Unputdownable, this novel is exactly what I look for in my fantasy reading and has gone straight onto my favourites shelf.

We kick off where A Time of Dread finished, following four point of view characters as they discover truths, endure betrayals, fight against the odds (and many a fantastical creature) and traverse the landscape of the Banished Lands. I enjoy reading epic fantasy with multiple point of view character chapters but more often than not there is one storyline/character arc that’s perhaps a bit less interesting or whose narrative slows the pace and plot in general - I am happy to report that is not the case here. Each protagonist was engaging, well developed and put me right where I needed to be to see the whole picture. I would be remiss if I didn’t also praise the excellent non-POV characters too, in particular the animals. I have formed strong attachments to the non-human characters of this series, and considering some of them are non-verbal, that is a great feat. This series is very inclusive in that I feel like every character matters and has an important part to play, no one is anywhere by accident and their words, actions and histories will all impact on what’s to come.

I would just like to take a moment to appreciate Drem’s characterisation, in particular though. As a man who was raised primarily by only his father, Drem gets nervous and overwhelmed in large, crowded places as well as when faced with difficult choices/impending peril. When placed in such circumstances, he reaches for his pulse in his neck. This happens often throughout the novel and each time I was struck by how realistic this made him. Often in fantasy, characters are placed in these life or death situations and are expected to be brave, fearless and driven by righteousness yet in reality, if any of us were in that position we would be terrified. I know I would, and to see this small gesture of anxiety occur for Drem not only in situations that would petrify the majority of us but also in regular, every day scenarios (like travelling through a new town) was really refreshing. Of course he’d be nervous, he’d never been around so many people before! It made sense for the character and it’s these little attentions to detail for all of his characters that really makes Gwynne a master of his craft.

This brings me nicely to the writing. It continues to be superb. A Time of Blood jumps straight into the action and the pace doesn’t relent from there. The conflicts that I expected to occur as a culmination of the events at the end of A Time of Dread happened much sooner than I predicted. I loved that so early on I was thrown off kilter in my expectations and I could just sit back and enjoy the direction Gwynne took. The pacing is excellent, it kept me turning the pages whilst also remaining true to life, nothing felt coincidental or placed just to create extra drama, and the battle scenes continue to be breathtaking. You can tell Gwynne knows each weapon and how it works in the right (and wrong!) hands and reading the characters take on different roles and skills in each skirmish is impressive to behold. No one is safe and it is testament to the incredible writing that each casualty feels like a physical blow. I was wholly absorbed in the action and that is exactly what I am looking for in fantasy. I touched earlier on how there are no clear cut lines for the good guys and the villains, the characters have too much depth and complexity for that, but each character ultimately believes they are on the right side, yet still have moments where they question whether what they believe (or have been taught to believe) is the truth and with each new revelation we are more unsure who our allies are. See, I say our as if I’m actually part of the story - it’s that immersive.

This instalment certainly lives up to its name, Gwynne continues to be unafraid to dish out war, brutality and loss and the climax does not disappoint. As expected, I was rapidly turning the pages, impatient to find out how these characters were going to triumph, or even if they would survive at all, and as usual I was left with an incredible finale that promises an explosive conclusion. I have no idea how Gwynne is going to manoeuvre his characters to conclude this epic series, but I have absolute faith that it will be a violent, emotional roller-coaster of excellence. I can’t wait.

Truth and Courage.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to Pan Macmillan and Tor UK for this. ...more

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May 17, 2019 Deborah Obida rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, fantasy, favorite-books

Better a hard truth than a kind lie.

This book picked up exactly where A time of dread ended, with Drem and friends on the run, Bleda and Riv in the woods.
I don't know how the author does it but this is his fifth book that I'm reading and I love them all. This book is diverse and the fight scenes were well portrayed.

“A person is made by their heart and their wits.” He touched his one hand to his chest and then to his temple. “And by the deeds that they do. Their choices. Not whether they h ...more

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Mar 04, 2019 Nick Borrelli rated it it was amazing

Let me preface this review by stating that I have never given a John Gwynne book anything less than five stars. If you are doing the math, that's five books in total that all were pretty damn perfect in my opinion. Along with Tad Williams and Robin Hobb, Gwynne is one of the very few authors who literally makes me block out any outside stimuli when I'm reading one of his books, I'm that focused on them. His preceding series The Faithful and the Fallen is in my top 10 fantasy series of all-time a Let me preface this review by stating that I have never given a John Gwynne book anything less than five stars. If you are doing the math, that's five books in total that all were pretty damn perfect in my opinion. Along with Tad Williams and Robin Hobb, Gwynne is one of the very few authors who literally makes me block out any outside stimuli when I'm reading one of his books, I'm that focused on them. His preceding series The Faithful and the Fallen is in my top 10 fantasy series of all-time and I'm actually planning on doing a reread of that one very soon. It's reasonable then to assume that I was more than a little excited to receive an advance copy of book two in John's Of Blood and Bone series A TIME OF BLOOD from the publisher Pan Macmillan. For those who follow my blog, you are already aware that the first book in this new series A Time of Dread was my #1 read of 2018. So now that my cards are all out on the table, here are my thoughts on A TIME OF BLOOD.

We pick up the story of A TIME OF BLOOD pretty much immediately after the events of the first book in the series A Time of Dread. Book one described a land torn apart by the war that took place over a century previous between the demonic Kadoshim and the angelic Ben-Elim. The last vestiges of the Kadoshim, appearing to have been mostly eradicated by the Ben-Elim and their allies, were being hunted in every secluded corner in and around The Banished Lands. Yet rumors still abounded of a group of Kadoshim holdouts who may or may not be growing in strength and numbers. The end of A Time of Dread was one of the more thrilling I have experienced and definitely set up the events in this second book tantalizingly well. Book two brings us back to The Banished Lands and the four main character viewpoints that are prevalent in this new series. The action in A TIME OF BLOOD has been ratcheted up considerably and the battles that the characters must endure, both physical and emotional, are just vintage John Gwynne. We continue to struggle with the Ben-Elim as "heroes" when often times their motives seem self-serving and they can tend to be rather ruthless in their supposed protection of their human beneficiaries. As in book one, we see that the Kadoshim are still ever present across the land and the threat that they pose is no longer whispered at but is gradually becoming a reality. Throughout the book, Drem and the other characters embark on an attempt to warn each city about the impending danger that may be coming. When ultimately a large force of the demon horde amasses at the foot of the Ben-Elim stronghold, war is all but certain again, but this time victory for the Ben-Elim may not be so easily won. You see,the Kadoshim have learned from their previous defeat and coupled with a new leader, may have discovered some secrets that could tip the balance in a potential new clash with the mighty Ben-Elim. If that final battle does come, who wins and who loses will be a question of who has enough strength, courage, and faith to throw back a faithless foe bent on nothing but death, subjugation, and destruction. What will be the ultimate result? You just have to pick up this series and read it from the beginning because I promise you that it will be an experience you will not soon forget..

I am continually impressed with John Gwynne's ability to deliver one top-notch brilliant fantasy book after another. A TIME OF BLOOD takes the Of Blood and Bone series to dizzying heights indeed. John has taken all of the fantastic elements from the first book and carried that into an action-packed second offering filled with battles and treachery aplenty. As with any John Gwynne book you also know there will be some heartache. The guy really knows how to get you emotionally invested in a character and then proceeds to put them in extreme mortal peril the entire time. That's where I believe A TIME OF BLOOD really stands above the majority of fantasy fiction today. The amount of distress I was put in as the reader (and believe me this isn't a bad thing at all in my opinion) was such that I almost turned every page with my eyes half-closed. Tell me how many books can achieve that? So many times I read books where you have no doubt that nothing bad will happen to the "good-guys". Everything works out way too perfectly and there's always an ending that is happy and neatly tied up in a bow. Well to be honest I can't stand books that don't put any of the characters in any real danger and even perish the thought, kill some off. It's exactly the reason why George RR Martin's books are so popular with the public and also critically acclaimed. You read his books never knowing if your favorite character will be dead by the next page. Gwynne has this knack and talent as well. Getting back to a TIME OF BLOOD, it was simply an amazing journey of a book. An added aspect that I found compelling and original is the Ben-Elim continue to be both protectors and almost semi-villains at the same time. The gray area that they occupy in so far as their motives go and the way they have been somewhat corrupted by their earlier success over the Kadoshim is a fascinating character study. We have all seen in real life where governments or leaders who claim to have the good of the people at heart actually end up being tainted and their biggest oppressors. To be able to write a book where even the protagonists may not be the saviors that they appear, is just a testament to the greatness of this book and of John Gwynne's writing as a whole. I also loved that the book was a seamless continuation of A Time of Dread and ended with so much up in the air in anticipation for book three. In closing, A TIME OF BLOOD is possibly one of the best fantasy books I have ever read and I full-throatedly recommend this and all of John's books in this continuing saga. I actually read the last 30 pages in three days because I simply did not want to turn the final page. You know that you've just read a magnificent book when that happens. A TIME OF BLOOD is due to be released next month on April 18, 2019, so do whatever you have to do to secure a copy whether that be preorder, running to a physical bookstore on publication day, whatever it takes just GET IT! It's a shining example of the very best that fantasy literature can offer when in the hands of a true master. ...more

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Apr 23, 2020 Samir rated it it was amazing

My plan for today was to squeeze in a couple of pages after work. Well, as it turned out, I squeezed in about three hundred. It's midnight. My eyes are tired and sore. It was totally worth it. ...more

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Jan 17, 2020 TS Chan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: physical-owned, arc-review-copy

4.5 stars.

A fantastic sequel in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy, A Time of Blood is yet another testament to John Gwynne's extraordinary ability to write incredible stories.

The tone and direction of the narrative stayed true to Gwynne's approach of escalating the stakes, and ratcheting the tension to a penultimate cliffhanger ending that makes one go "Why are you doing this to me?"

One thing I have to note is that I enjoyed A Time of Dread just a bit more and now I realised that it has a lot to d ...more

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Aug 20, 2019 FanFiAddict rated it it was amazing

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis

Defy the darkness. Defend the light.

Drem and his friends flee the battle at Starstone Lake to warn the Order of the Bright Star. They’ve witnessed horrors they’ll never forget, such as magic warping men into beasts. But worst of all, they’ve seen a demon rise from the dead – making it even more powerful. Now Fritha, the demons’ high priestess, is hunting Drem’s party.

Concealed in Forn Forest, Riv struggles to understand her half-breed heritage. She represents the warrior ang ...more

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Jan 12, 2018 Eon ♒Windrunner♒ rated it it was amazing

"Dark blood drank he, from the demon welling."
The Volsung Saga

Superlative fantasy!

I cannot even begin to express my sheer excitement whenever I get the chance to read a book by John Gwynne. He is one of the few authors that I have read, who are an automatic buy for me on day one. Limited edition? Signed copy? Hello Splurgeville. Groceries?
Pffft. Who needs ‘em.

His debut series, The Faithful and the Fallen, is on my all time favourites list and when I heard he was writing a new series in ...more

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Oct 27, 2019 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-reads, kick-ass-heroines, super-sidekicks, awesome-audio, fantastic-fantasy, 4-5-stars

A Time of Blood is aptly named. There are great moments of triumph but there are also some heavy losses taken in this book as well. Deceptions, alliances and betrayals, along with a great rising of Kadoshim against the Ben-Elim and the land of the faithful.

I’ve found that in fantasy some of the best I’ve read have been because the author, through multiple PoVs is able to give you both sides of the story. John Gwynne does this easily by having multiple people relaying the story through their eyes A Time of Blood is aptly named. There are great moments of triumph but there are also some heavy losses taken in this book as well. Deceptions, alliances and betrayals, along with a great rising of Kadoshim against the Ben-Elim and the land of the faithful.

I’ve found that in fantasy some of the best I’ve read have been because the author, through multiple PoVs is able to give you both sides of the story. John Gwynne does this easily by having multiple people relaying the story through their eyes.

While I enjoyed Drem, Riv and Bleda’s tellings of the story the new PoV of Fritha added some dimension to the fight of good against evil. Even though there really isn’t a wholly good side because the Ben-Elim seem just as corrupt in a slightly different way than the Kadoshim.

Fritha is in deep with Kadoshim, who are trying to resurrect Asroth the Lord of the Kadoshim currently in a frozen state locked in the Ben-Elim stronghold. The lengths she is willing to go in this story to capture Drem and make her ghastly new creations are horrible and mind boggling but captivating and as much as I want her demise I’m also strangely drawn to her character. I enjoyed learning more about her motivations and while I’m not playing for her team, she makes a good, smart villain.

Drem, that poor kid has learned and lost so much in a short time. He has gone from a mostly solitary life of trapping with his father to running from the Kadoshim with a small band of elite soldiers. This is a boy with a destiny and I’m not sure he will survive to the end of the series or go out in some blaze of glory. I love that with Gwynne’s writing you can’t be sure either way. As Drem travels to get word of the danger to the Order of the Bright Star he comes alone some creatures of tales and superstitions. Each battle is dynamic and entertaining.

Riv and Bleda’s story is kind of intertwined in some ways. They are dwarn to each other and became friends in A Time of Dread. I for one was hoping that would eventually bloom into more in this book even though Bleda has an arranged marriage to someone else. They are a good team and I think long term can teach each other a lot. I had some suspicions about Riv when her wings busted through in the prior books and there was a lot of movement on that front. Even though I don’t like the Ben-Elim either I do think the direction they took in this book was a move in the right direction. Still Kol, new leader of the Ben-Elim is on my top ten list of people I’d like to die in this series.

Bleda and Riv’s PoV each show us something different in the story. Riv lets us follow the happenings in the Ben-Elim inner circles while Bleda lets us know what is happening on the human front. As the threat draws nearer each with take bigger risks for the other and in so doing draw some lines in the sand that can never be taken back.

“There is much in life that is beyond our control, events that sweep us up and along, actions that wrap us tight in their consequences. Stop raging about the things you cannot change. Just be true to yourself and do what you can do. Love those worth loving, and to the Otherworld with the rest of it. That is all any of us can do.”

There is a lot of action leading up to the ending and Time of Blood is a very fitting title since there was a lot of it. This ended on a really dire kind of note and no one is safe leading into the next book. Gwynne has woven an intricate tale, with great world building and character development. We hit the ground running in this and so there isn’t much down time overall in the read.

Another wonderful tale from Gwynne. I’m very curious about the prequel series and I’m excited to start it as soon as the last of the audios comes out. I think it will add even more depth to the series. ...more

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Mar 05, 2019 James Islington rated it it was amazing

Excellent heroic fantasy – I really enjoyed A Time of Dread, but I think this book was even better. With the main characters already established, the story moves along at a terrific pace, with plenty of tension and rousing action to propel things forward. Character and plot development doesn’t fall by the wayside amidst it all, though, and by the end, everything’s set up beautifully for the final book.

I still have The Faithful and the Fallen, which is the precursor series to this one, sitting on ...more

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May 07, 2019 Mili rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-the-book

Fantastic sequel! Cullen and Drem are my favouritesss. Love their interaction and their personalities. I really enjoyed the intense moments in this book like my intense hate towards Kol 😂. But also the moments of struggle/ fighting and surviving! And the shady forests 😍 with its creatures. The focus on animal companions is Gwynne his thing and I love it too 🤗.
The book ends with a fitting cliffhanger. Can't believe we are back to A Time of Waiting 😂😭.
.
'Every defeat is a lesson learned.'
. ...more

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Aug 11, 2020 Jody rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another great installment! This one was probably a little better than the 1st book, and I loved it. I'm pretty sure the conclusion will be epic. I just hope nothing happens to my favorite characters. Can't wait to get started! Full RTC!

Actual Rating: 5 stars ***** ...more

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May 08, 2019 Wol rated it it was amazing

Well, I haven't smoked in over a decade, but I could use a cigarette. Bloody good stuff. Review soon. ...more

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Apr 18, 2020 Audrey rated it it was amazing

Time of blood is an explosive and mighty sequel to Time of dread.

The events take place one month after the events of the first book. And even though little time had passed everything had changed for all the characters.

Riv , Bleda and Drem have mentally matured because of hardships. They must all learn to live with their past, their duty and some buried truths.
The banished lands are on the brink of war and blood feuds are still fresh between the allies.
Did their division may ring the bell of t ...more

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May 29, 2019 Caitlin rated it it was amazing

A Time of Blood is the second in the new series from John Gwynne. It picks up where the last left off, and let me tell you, it was SO great to be back in this world with these characters. Gwynne has not let me down yet, in all the years I've been reading his books, and I doubt he ever will.

This book was amazing! The character development that continued from the last, it's so easy to really feel like you know everyone in the book. The tension surrounding them throughout the story just mounts as ...more

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Jun 07, 2019 Marielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: signed, books-own

The title sums it up pretty well, blood is being spilled throughout the book and I loved it!
John Gwynne can write about battles in a way that I see them in my minds eye and I can actually follow what is happening!
Another fantastic book, can't wait for A Time Of Courage... ...more

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May 08, 2020 Claudia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Damn, this was bloody indeed. And if this one was that fast paced, I wonder how the last one will be.

This second volume is more like a prelude for the final battle to come, which I dread how dire will be. Gulla and his army are something to give you nightmares; Fritha… I don’t know if I should hate her or pity her. (view spoiler)

On the other hand, I would have liked that Drem should have spent more time in Dun Seren and learn ...more

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Apr 07, 2019 Maja Ingrid rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, the-faves

The dead tell no lies

5 STARS

It feeels sooooo good being back in the Banished Lands!

My first reaction at reading the acknowledgement in the beginning, how John says Just How Suiting The Title Is For The Book, was: “John you’re a fucking sadist, I’m scared but also thirsty for blood LET’S DO THIIIIIIIS”

(Dad called me earlier today to join him for a walk and I complained he stopped me at the end of the book and there was a battle and people there would be blood and very likely dead characters and ...more

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Aug 10, 2020 Justine rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-read

I didn't love this quite as much as A Time of Dread, but it was still extremely good.

The story picks up right after the events of the previous book, so it's really just one continuous story. There were a couple of surprises, but this installment really focuses on character building rather than providing a lot of jaw dropping revelations. I'm enjoying all the characters, but Drem and his quieter strength is becoming my favourite.

One thing I really miss from The Faithful and the Fallen are the st ...more

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May 09, 2019 Charlie - A Reading Machine rated it it was amazing

Lets get the gushing out of the way first because it’s a bit embarrassing. I love Gwynne’s writing so much. The story and the characters remind me of the first books that I read that got me hooked on epic fantasy those classic stories of the light verses the dark. I sill love and often recommend my earlier reads like Gemmell, Crichton, Feist, Wurts and so many others but if I was speaking to a fantasy virgin this is the author and series I would recommend, 100% certain it would make them a fan f Lets get the gushing out of the way first because it’s a bit embarrassing. I love Gwynne’s writing so much. The story and the characters remind me of the first books that I read that got me hooked on epic fantasy those classic stories of the light verses the dark. I sill love and often recommend my earlier reads like Gemmell, Crichton, Feist, Wurts and so many others but if I was speaking to a fantasy virgin this is the author and series I would recommend, 100% certain it would make them a fan for life and lead them onto all the other greats, new and old. Picking up one of his books is like being smothered in a warm blanket and knowing that I don’t have to move for several hours, often because when I pick up one of his books I wrap myself in a warm blanket and don’t move for several hours. It’s not entirely stress free though. Oh hell no.

A Time of Blood is the second book in the Of Blood and Bone series and follows the descendants and colleagues of the heroes and villains of The Faithful and the Fallen set several hundred years before. It goes without saying you should not be reading this book or this review without at least picking up A Time of Dread the first book in this series. You’d be doing yourself a huge disservice to not read it first. This time the story is told from four point of views, Drem, Riv, Bleda and Fritha.

Fritha, once a loyal White Wing, now the chosen future queen of Asaroth, is working her blood magic all over the place. Charged with tracking down the fugitives that Sig’s sacrifice allowed to escape, she and the half breed daughter of Gulla Lord of the Kadoshim, Morn are tracking Drem, Keld, Cullen, Hammer the bear and a few others as the make their way the Dun Seren. She’s like a deranged Willy Wonka mixing this and that together to make semi intelligent feral monsters and…and…no I wont ruin it, but trust me there is so much more. A hell of a lot of the blood that is shed in this book is by or because of Fritha and she is a pretty damn amazing villainess. Her feelings of betrayal because of the murder of her own half breed baby by her supposed gods make her real and sympathetic and the question of how she react to the Riv is a constant head scratcher.

Speaking of Riv, she has discovered she is half human and half Ben Elim. Sprouting wings and being instantly marked for death tends to lead one down that path of extrapolation. Her existence exposes the lie that the two races have not intermingled and though the angelic sex hosts insist the gift of love is enough, the demand that any progeny be quietly destroyed is a bunch of shit and people are starting to realise it. Speaking of realisations Riv is about to discover her true parentage, the thrill of flying though the air and killing people whilst doing so and a man she has a deep and genuine love for. Go Riv.

The relationship between Bleda of the Sirak Horse Clan and Jin of the Cheren Horse Clan continues to be full of conflict and doubt. Forcibly betrothed to each other by the Ben Elim in order to prevent them from going to war with other, it’s not the best way to start a loving partnership is it, Bleda is torn between his natural affection for Riv and his duty to his family and his clan’s future. Jin, imploring that he not shame her, spends much of the book on a knife edge where she doesn’t know whether to kiss her kill her future husband. I felt a lot of empathy for them both as the frustrations of their relationship and the impositions they face may have a fantastical context but they are very real and common.

My favourites though are Cullen and Drem the respective heart and soul of the book. Drem, the socially awkward introvert whose honestly and goodness level is over 9000, carries with him the hope and dreams of peace and prosperity as well as the responsibility for providing it to others. Cullen approaches every situation with the intention of leading a vigorous and lusty life whilst he can. His skill on the battlefield is undeniable but it is his courage and spirit, his willingness to provoke a thousand year old giant and get beaten to the ground for it in the name of being a better fighter and the single charge at an unbeatable enemy that inspires his fellow soldiers that make him so enjoyable to read. After the first book I couldn’t help but think he was living on borrowed time so his journey though out this book was a constant source of intense excitement and horrific dread.

The battle scenes are incredible and superbly written with each blow a devastating one. Everything flows so well. These are huge and hectic moments of warfare yet some how Gwynne makes the reader feel like they are both on the ground with the dog soldiers in the mud and blood and also soaring above the whole thing, being pulled to only the most meaningful and epic moments. It is breathtaking and one of the reasons he is a favourite. Another thing Gwynne has mastered is the ability of switching viewpoints at just at the right moment resulting in a book that never lets you take a breath and that you never want to put down. When the action gets going it means late sleepless nights eventually followed by dreams of winged demons, the perils of true love, giants riding bears, weapons of death glowing with the protection of ancient runes and other cool shit.

I ‘ve already had the incredible privilege of reading some insanely good books this year that I would and have recommended to anyone who would listen. This might just be the best of the lot….so far.

10/10 ...more

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About John Gwynne

John Gwynne

3,789 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

Other books in the series

Of Blood and Bone (3 books)

Books by John Gwynne

Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen, #1)

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Quotes from A Time of Blood

“There is much in life that is beyond our control, events that sweep us up and along, actions that wrap us tight in their consequences. Stop raging about the things you cannot change. Just be true to yourself and do what you can do. Love those worth loving, and to the Otherworld with the rest of it. That is all any of us can do.” — 3 likes

“A person is made by their heart and their wits.” He touched his one hand to his chest and then to his temple. “And by the deeds that they do. Their choices. Not whether they have pale skin or dark skin, wings or no wings. One hand or two.” — 0 likes

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