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John Gwynne

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John Gwynne

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United Kingdom
Twitter

Genre

Influences
J.R.R Tolkien, David Gemmell, George R R Martin, Bernard Cornwell. And ...more

Member Since
October 2011

URL


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

Malice, my debut novel, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2012 and went on to win the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut of 2012. That was a truly wonderful moment, as David G
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Popular Answered Questions

John Gwynne Hi Suzanne - book three, titled Ruin, is due for release in the UK in June 2015. Not a year…
Thanks for the interest and I'm glad that you enjoyed Mali…more
Hi Suzanne - book three, titled Ruin, is due for release in the UK in June 2015. Not a year…
Thanks for the interest and I'm glad that you enjoyed Malice and Valour :)(less)
John Gwynne Hi Riki, there are four books planned in the series. Book three - Ruin - is finished and going through editing now. It is pencilled in for UK release …moreHi Riki, there are four books planned in the series. Book three - Ruin - is finished and going through editing now. It is pencilled in for UK release in June 2015. I'm writing the fourth and final instalment right now.(less)
Average rating: 4.35 · 338,388 ratings · 38,861 reviews · 25 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Shadow of the Gods (The...

4.20 avg rating — 79,560 ratings — published 2021
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Malice (The Faithful and th...

4.17 avg rating — 54,402 ratings — published 2012 — 45 editions
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The Hunger of the Gods (The...

4.51 avg rating — 43,240 ratings — published 2022 — 36 editions
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Valor (The Faithful and the...

4.43 avg rating — 37,955 ratings — published 2014 — 8 editions
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Ruin (The Faithful and the ...

4.50 avg rating — 31,861 ratings — published 2015 — 36 editions
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Wrath (The Faithful and the...

4.52 avg rating — 29,505 ratings — published 2016 — 32 editions
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The Fury of the Gods (The B...

4.47 avg rating — 24,667 ratings — published 2024 — 25 editions
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A Time of Dread (Of Blood a...

4.30 avg rating — 13,981 ratings — published 2018 — 5 editions
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A Time of Blood (Of Blood a...

4.35 avg rating — 10,645 ratings — published 2019 — 8 editions
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A Time of Courage (Of Blood...

4.45 avg rating — 9,685 ratings — published 2020 — 26 editions
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Malice Valor Ruin Wrath
(4 books)
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4.36 avg rating — 156,565 ratings

The Shadow of the Gods The Hunger of the Gods The Fury of the Gods
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John’s Recent Updates

John Gwynne is now friends with Maikel Timmermans
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John Gwynne rated a book it was amazing
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
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Red Rising, wow! So two of my sons, Ed and Will of The Brothers Gwynne, encouraged me to read this and it has just left me thinking, “why didn’t I do this a long time ago?”

It’s fantastic. It is one of those books you read and everything feels effortl
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The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
"I have so much to say... but I don't know where to start, I have always struggled with words especially when it comes to books that literally blows my mind and makes me love reading even more-- and this series has done that.
this series has definitel" Read more of this review »
The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
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The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
"Wow! What an ending! The final part of The Bloodsworn Saga was simply terrific! The first half of the book builds up quite slowly, with the odd skirmish here and there, into one of the longest battles that I have ever read. I am also certain that I h" Read more of this review »
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The Last Vigilant by Mark A. Latham
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A wonderful tale, using a murder-mystery scenario to great effect set within a well-drawn fantastical world. The characters shone for me, especially the two central characters. I came to care about them, felt immersed in their journey. When a book ma ...more
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Valor by John Gwynne
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It is my pleasure to share the new cover for the Grim Oak Press special edition - Valour Special Edition ...more
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The Outsider by Stephen        King
The Outsider
by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)
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I’ve loved Stephen King ever since my sister gave me a copy of Salem’s Lot, saying she could not read any more of it because she was too frightened to continue. Needless to say, I loved Salem’s Lot, and reading The Outsider took me back to that feeli ...more
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Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
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What a book. Really it’s a masterclass of writing. Character, plot, pacing, all done with effortless confidence. Heart-poundingly good.
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Quotes by John Gwynne  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Memory is a double-edged sword, Uthas. It can keep you strong through dark times, but it can also cripple you, keep you locked in a moment that no longer exists.”
John Gwynne, Valor

“To my thinking, though, it's what happens before death that's important. All of us die. How many really live?”
John Gwynne, Wrath

“It will be a dark day, a bloody day, a proud day, for this is the day of our wrath.”
John Gwynne, Wrath

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3rd Quarter 2020 - Fantasy #2

 
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Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, 272p (Sept 15 pub)
 
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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Sci-fi and Heroic...: 2013 Gemmell Legend Awards Winners announced 3 159 Nov 01, 2013 09:10AM  
Fantasy Book Club: This topic has been closed to new comments. Introductions - tell us a little about yourself 3618 4218 Dec 31, 2014 11:05AM  
/r/Fantasy Discus...: February 2015: Nominate for Book Of The Month 16 191 Jan 24, 2015 08:49PM  
Beyond Reality: Nominations for May 2015! 25 47 Mar 01, 2015 06:35PM  
Fantasy Book Club: This topic has been closed to new comments. May nominations plus April poll up now. 107 221 Mar 18, 2015 12:41PM  
Dragons & Jetpacks: This topic has been closed to new comments. A - Z Author Game 112 53 Jun 15, 2015 05:22PM  
Fantasy Book Club: Nov. '15 * Malice* Roll Call 9 30 Nov 24, 2015 04:12PM  
“Never laugh at live dragons.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.”
William Shakespeare, Macbeth

“Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the persuit of evil.”
David Gemmell, White Wolf

169010 The Faithful and the Fallen — 731 members — last activity Dec 05, 2023 05:54AM
This is a group for discussing The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne. We will also be taking part in read alongs at various times in the y ...more
636120 The Cool Kids' Fantasy Club — 1767 members — last activity Jul 17, 2025 02:26AM
A group to chat about SFF books. Authors and readers welcome. I might post about my books and the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off too. I plan on maki ...more
935887 The Banished Lands and The Bloodsworn — 1417 members — last activity Jun 04, 2025 04:19PM
A group to discuss all books written within The Faithful and the Fallen and Of Blood and Bone, as well as The Bloodsworn, by John Gwynne. We will disc ...more



Comments (showing 1-43)    post a comment »
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message 43: by John

John Gwynne Mogsy (MMOGC) wrote: "Thank you for the friend request, John. I read your nice note and just wanted to say it was my pleasure! :)"

Ah, thanks so much :)

Happy Reading

John


message 42: by Mogsy

Mogsy Thank you for the friend request, John. I read your nice note and just wanted to say it was my pleasure! :)


message 41: by John

John Gwynne Erich wrote: "Thanks for the friend request! It's always good to see active authors on Goodreads. I really enjoyed Malice and can't wait for the rest of the series to be available on audiobook format in the U.S...."
Hi Erich, it's great to be Goodreads friends. I have a bit of bad news for you, though. At present Audible.com have no plans to record the rest of the series. Audible.uk have recorded all four, but I'm not sure if regional restrictions will be a problem for. Sorry I can't be of more help.


message 40: by John

John Gwynne Craig wrote: "Thanks for the request Mr. Gwynne! Was a shock to me haha after just finishing and reviewing Malice. I didn't fully appreciate that actual authors would see them.....then again it should be so obvi..."

You're more than welcome, Craig, and thank you for accepting, it's great to be Goodreads friends. Yes, authors do lurk on here :) As well as being like-minded book-people it's a great way of interacting with readers. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Malice and hope that you enjoy the rest of the series. Best, John


message 39: by Erich

Erich Thanks for the friend request! It's always good to see active authors on Goodreads. I really enjoyed Malice and can't wait for the rest of the series to be available on audiobook format in the U.S. If it isn't soon I may have to take drastic measures and get a physical copy.


message 38: by John

John Gwynne Justyna wrote: "Thank you for the friend invite! I really enjoyed the first two books, and I will soon read the final two. I have no doubt that I will like them too:)"
You're more than welcome, Justyna, it's great to be Goodreads friends. I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the series so far.
Best,
John


message 37: by Justyna

Justyna Thank you for the friend invite! I really enjoyed the first two books, and I will soon read the final two. I have no doubt that I will like them too:)


message 36: by John

John Gwynne Stephen wrote: "Thank you for the friend request. I just wanted to say (as have many others) just how much I enjoyed Malice. Looking forwarding to getting stuck in to the next in the series!"

Hi Stephen. You're most welcome, it's great to be Goodreads Friends :) I'm so glad that you enjoyed Malice, and hope that you enjoy the rest of the series just as much.

Just to let you know, I'm going through the edit of Wrath today, the fourth and final book in the series. It's due for publication this coming November.

All the best,

John


message 35: by Stephen

Stephen Reed Thank you for the friend request. I just wanted to say (as have many others) just how much I enjoyed Malice. Looking forwarding to getting stuck in to the next in the series!


message 34: by John

John Gwynne Redeagl wrote: "Happy birthday!"

Thanks, Redeagle :)


message 33: by Redeagl

Redeagl Happy birthday!


message 32: by John

John Gwynne Zak wrote: "Hi John, just wanted to say that i very much enjoyed the books so far. Heard about them a couple weeks ago and now just finished with Valor, eagerly waiting for Ruin and all the best for the rest o..."
Hi Zak, I'm so pleased to hear that you're enjoying the series so far, and thanks for taking the time to let me know, I really appreciate that. Not too long to wait now for Ruin :)


message 31: by John

John Gwynne Felix wrote: "Epic! I have just ordered the limited edition of "Ruin" from Goldsboro books! Across the pond they only come out in Trade paperback.... This makes 2 limited editions:" Malice & Ruin," I only have a..."
Glad you're enjoying the series so much, Felix :) Goldsboro do make beautiful editions. I know they did do a run on Valour, but I'm not sure whether it was a limited edition or not.
Hope you enjoy Ruin as much as you have the first two.


message 30: by Felix

Felix Epic! I have just ordered the limited edition of "Ruin" from Goldsboro books! Across the pond they only come out in Trade paperback.... This makes 2 limited editions:" Malice & Ruin," I only have a signed one for" valor" - I guess they didn't do one for it?


message 29: by Zak

Zak Hi John, just wanted to say that i very much enjoyed the books so far. Heard about them a couple weeks ago and now just finished with Valor, eagerly waiting for Ruin and all the best for the rest of the series and beyond...


message 28: by John

John Gwynne Anna wrote: "hi, I just wanted to wish you good luck with your writing ;)"

Thanks Anna :)


message 27: by Anna

Anna hi, I just wanted to wish you good luck with your writing ;)


message 26: by John

John Gwynne Yostman1759 wrote: "John - loved both books so much. My daughter (high school senior) asked me for a recommendation over winter break, and I gave her Malice. She read Malice and Valor over the next three days, hard..."

Hi Yostman - thanks for the message, and also for the kind words. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Malice and Valor, and to hear that you're recommending them has made my day. And to your daughter - it's really lovely to hear that Malice and Valor have become a fun way of connecting for you both. The books have had a similar effect in my family - as I was writing them I'd often tell parts to my boys and the following conversations would always be great fun. When I caught them re-enacting scenes (usually fight scenes involving Conall!) it would always put a smile on my face.
Glad to hear that you're looking forward to Ruin, hopefully you'll enjoy it just as much as the first two.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
All the best,

John


Yostman1759 John - loved both books so much. My daughter (high school senior) asked me for a recommendation over winter break, and I gave her Malice. She read Malice and Valor over the next three days, hardly able to stop. We both enjoyed the characters and stories and it has been fun to connect through your books. Thanks, and we are very much looking forward to Ruin this year!


message 24: by John

John Gwynne Evan wrote: "Mr. Gwynne, I'd like to say that your book Malice has had a pretty significant check-out rate at my library. I can't say how often I've checked it out to patrons, in the same stack as Martin, Jorda..."

Evan wrote: "Mr. Gwynne, I'd like to say that your book Malice has had a pretty significant check-out rate at my library. I can't say how often I've checked it out to patrons, in the same stack as Martin, Jorda..."

Hi Evan, thanks for getting in touch, and that is great news - shocking, as well. I'm still getting used to being published, so when I hear things like this, well, it makes me shake my head and grin. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know, I really appreciate it.
And I hope you enjoy Malice :)


message 23: by John

John Gwynne Scott wrote: "Just finished Valor. Loved it. Can't wait for book 3."

Thanks Scott - glad you enjoyed Valor. Book 3 is written, titled Ruin and going through edits at the moment. I'm not sure when it's out in the US yet, but I'll post that info as soon as I hear it.


message 22: by Scott

Scott Scher Just finished Valor. Loved it. Can't wait for book 3.


message 21: by John

John Gwynne Hi Mark,

Thanks for the message - you're welcome regards the friend invite. Very glad to hear that you enjoyed Malice. Thanks for the kind words, and also for the encouragement about book 3. I do appreciate that, and agree with you.

I hope that you enjoy Valor.

All the best,

John


message 20: by Mark

Mark Thanks for the friend invite John. I love your work and just picked up Valor, and I can't wait to start it. Don't ever worry about delays, quality writing takes time and I for one would rather wait to get a quality product then a hurried mess. Keep up the good work

Mark


message 19: by John

John Gwynne Cody wrote: "Well thank you for the add I don't really ever do book reviews just rate them as I finish them, I read malice on my kindle and finished it immediately looked for the second. Low and behold it wasn'..."
You're welcome Cody. Really pleased that you enjoyed Malice and Valour - sorry about the frequent POV changes :)
Take care and Happy Reading,
John


message 18: by John

John Gwynne David wrote: "Hey John, I really enjoyed Malice and Valour, they are truly fantastic reads. Do you have a rough idea on when the 3rd book will be out?"

Hi David - thanks for the message - I'm really pleased that you enjoyed Malice and Valour, and thanks for taking the time to let me know.
As far as book 3 goes (there are 4 planned in the series) I'm still writing it at the moment, nearly finished though. My publishers haven't told me a release date yet, but I'd guesstimate summer/autumn 2015. Don't quote me on that, though. I will be giving updates on my blog as and when I have solid information.
Hope that helps,
All the best,

John


message 17: by Cody

Cody Well thank you for the add I don't really ever do book reviews just rate them as I finish them, I read malice on my kindle and finished it immediately looked for the second. Low and behold it wasn't out in the US yet so I ordered it from amazon uk and a week later I devoured it in about 7 hours and proceeded to have withdrawals since the story ended in such a good spot that the 3rd book is sure to be marvelous. All and all I am impressed by your series so far if not slightly peeved at the maddening pov changes as it gets good


message 16: by John

John Gwynne Tracey wrote: "My copy of Valour just arrived! Can't wait to return to the Banished Lands!"
Hope you enjoy it Tracey :)


Tracey the Lizard Queen My copy of Valour just arrived! Can't wait to return to the Banished Lands!


message 14: by Michael

Michael got to get me over to amazon and get me a copy asap


message 13: by J

J Hey John. Thanks for the add. I was a huge fan of Malice. Easily one of the better books I have read in recent years. Just out of curiosity, if you could recommend a few books to read for someone that's a fan of your work, what would they be?


message 12: by Ricky (last edited Mar 04, 2014 06:35AM)

Ricky Shorter Thanks for the add John, recently read Malice and was blown away! Very much looking forward to Valour. Also very pleased to see you say it is released in March - hadn't checked for myself, and the link above seems to be for the Paperback version, which says July


message 11: by John

John Gwynne Bentley wrote: "Wow, thanks so much for the add John! You have no idea how much that made my day! I'm so glad I came across your book in the bookstore and decided to blind-buy it. It really spoke to me - the chara..."

Hi Bentley, thanks for the message and no worries about the friend-add. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed Malice, and thanks for taking the time to let me know. All the best with the writing,
John


Bentley ★ Bookbastion.net Wow, thanks so much for the add John! You have no idea how much that made my day! I'm so glad I came across your book in the bookstore and decided to blind-buy it. It really spoke to me - the characters, the world, etc. It's a dream of mine to become a published author someday, and I only hope I can craft has as engaging story as you have in the Faithful and the Fallen series.

Can't wait for the next book!


Hisuhn Hello John,
Thank you for your friend request. This was a pleasant surprise to see. I soon hope to be able to read the second book of your series, as the end left me wanting for more.

Kind regards,
Wieteke


message 8: by John

John Gwynne Michelle wrote: "Hi John, thank you for adding me, it was an awesome beginning to my work day (even if my workmates giggled at my enthusiasm). Loved Malice and am looking forward to reading Avatar.
Cheers."


No problem Michelle - great to be Goodreads friends. So glad that you enjoyed Malice, and thanks for taking the time to let me know. Book 2, Valour, is out in March, so not too long to wait.
Best,
John


Michelle Travaille Hi John, thank you for adding me, it was an awesome beginning to my work day (even if my workmates giggled at my enthusiasm). Loved Malice and am looking forward to reading Avatar.
Cheers.


message 6: by John

John Gwynne Hi Michael - thanks for the interest in Valour. I haven't been told a definite date yet. Amazon uk have it down as March 27th, but they are not the most reliable. I'll chase up my publishers, see if I can get some concrete info and let you know.
Thanks again for the interest, and happy New Year to you.
Best,
John


Michael Roll on March
have you a definitive date for Valour yet Mr Gwynne?
in time for my birthday on the 14th would be good


message 4: by John

John Gwynne Johannes wrote: "Hey John! Thanks for adding me. Loved your book, though i wish i had found it at a later time. Hate waiting for sequels :-)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"


Hi Johannes - glad to be friends on goodreads, and I'm really pleased that you enjoyed Malice. Sorry about the delay for book 2 - Valour, it's out in March 2014, so not too long to wait, I hope.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

All the best,
John


message 3: by Johannes (last edited Dec 28, 2013 06:51PM)

Johannes Hey John! Thanks for adding me. Loved your book, though i wish i had found it at a later time. Hate waiting for sequels :-)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


message 2: by John

John Gwynne No problem Paul. All the best with the book giveaway.

Best,
John


message 1: by Paul

Paul Thanks for the friend add, John.
Wish me luck on your goodreads giveaway :-)
Malice by John Gwynne


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