Below is the complete list of John Gwynne books in order. For each series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of The Faithful and the Fallen Books
- The Greatest Battle (2018)
Published in 2018, The Greatest Battle is listed as book #7 in the The Faithful and the Fallen series.
Publication Order of Blood & Bone Books
Publication Order of The Bloodsworn Saga Books
Publication Order of The Wolves of War Books
Publication Order of Tales of the Apt Books
with Juliet E. McKenna, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Frances Hardinge
About John Gwynne
John Gwynne is a British fantasy author best known for his epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, and The Bloodsworn Saga. His novels are distinguished by their large-scale battles, intricate character relationships, mythological influences, and emotionally charged stories of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Drawing inspiration from history, folklore, and traditional fantasy, Gwynne has established himself as a prominent contemporary writer of heroic and epic fantasy.
Born in Singapore in 1968, Gwynne grew up in the United Kingdom. Before becoming a published novelist, he worked in a variety of occupations, including teaching at the University of Brighton and helping run a family business restoring vintage furniture. His longstanding interest in history, mythology, and fantasy literature eventually led him toward writing his own novels.
Gwynne made his literary debut with Malice in 2012, the opening installment of The Faithful and the Fallen. Set in the Banished Lands, the novel introduces a world of rival kingdoms, ancient prophecies, giants, and an approaching conflict between powerful supernatural forces. Its central characters include Corban, a young warrior whose life becomes entangled in a struggle that threatens the entire region.
The Faithful and the Fallen continues with Valour (2014), Ruin (2015), and Wrath (2016). Across these four novels, Gwynne develops an expansive narrative involving political alliances, military campaigns, friendships, and devastating personal losses. The series earned considerable attention for its battle sequences, compelling characters, and balance between traditional fantasy elements and morally complicated decisions.
Malice won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer in 2013, helping establish Gwynne’s reputation among epic fantasy readers.
Following the conclusion of The Faithful and the Fallen, Gwynne returned to the Banished Lands with the Of Blood and Bone trilogy. Beginning with A Time of Dread (2018), the series takes place approximately 130 years after the events of the earlier books. It introduces a new generation of characters while exploring the lasting consequences of the conflicts that shaped the world.
The trilogy continues with A Time of Blood (2019) and concludes with A Time of Courage (2020). Although it features a largely new cast, readers familiar with The Faithful and the Fallen will recognize important historical connections and developments within the shared setting.
Gwynne subsequently created The Bloodsworn Saga, a Norse-inspired fantasy series set in the world of Vigríð. Its opening novel, The Shadow of the Gods (2021), introduces a brutal landscape shaped by the deaths of ancient gods and the struggles of warriors, mercenaries, and those seeking vengeance.
The story follows several protagonists, including Orka, Varg, and Elvar, whose separate journeys gradually reveal a wider conflict. The series continues with The Hunger of the Gods (2022) and concludes with The Fury of the Gods (2024).
The Bloodsworn Saga reflects Gwynne’s fascination with Viking history and Norse mythology. Its world incorporates legendary creatures, shield walls, seafaring warriors, and a society in which the remains of fallen gods possess extraordinary significance.
A defining characteristic of Gwynne’s writing is his attention to combat. His battle scenes emphasize physical movement, tactical decisions, and the confusion of violent encounters. His experience practicing historical reenactment and combat techniques has influenced the realism of these sequences.
Equally important is his treatment of relationships. Friendship, family, loyalty, and grief frequently drive the choices his characters make. Even amid enormous conflicts, Gwynne maintains an interest in the personal consequences of war and the bonds that sustain people through hardship.
Across his major series, John Gwynne combines the scale of traditional epic fantasy with vivid action and character-centered storytelling. His novels appeal particularly to readers who enjoy immersive secondary worlds, mythological creatures, warrior cultures, and sweeping conflicts in which personal loyalties can prove as important as the fate of kingdoms.