A Time of Blood

Description

Reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place. Fantasy can be an escape from reality, but some stories carry the reader to an enhanced reality, a place where the world seems to have brighter colours and sharper contrasts' - Robin Hobb on A Time of Dread (book one) Defy the darkness. Defend the light . . . At the battle of Starstone Lake, Drem and his friends witnessed horrors they'll never forget. They saw magic warping men into beasts and a demon rise from the dead, creating something new and terrifying. So they flee to warn the Order of the Bright Star. But the demons' high priestess, Fritha, is determined to hunt them down. Concealed in Forn Forest, Riv struggles to understand her half-breed lineage. It represents the warrior angels' most dangerous secret, so when their high captain tracks her down, he aims to kill. Meanwhile, demonic forces are gathering a mighty war-host, to crush their enemies and rule the world of man. And the angels are already fractured and facing betrayal. Like heroes of old, Riv, Drem and the Bright Star's warriors must battle to save their land. But can the light triumph when the dark is rising? A Time of Blood, the second book in the Of Blood and Bone series, is the spectacular follow-up to A Time of Dread by John Gwynne. 'A great read that accelerates the pace and goes one up on its excellent predecessor . . . Exciting, action-packed fantasy' - Mark Lawrence 'This is extraordinarily good, an epic feat of the imagination. In this series Gwynne is setting a new benchmark in fantasy. I'd love to see it on screen' - Giles Kristian

John Gwynne studied and lectured at Brighton University. He's been in a rock 'n' roll band, playing the double bass, travelled the USA and lived in Canada for a time. He is married with four children and lives in Eastbourne, running a small family business rejuvenating vintage furniture. His debut novel, Malice, won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut.

A great read that accelerates the pace and goes one up on its excellent predecessor. The characters also grow with the story, finding peril at every turn and few clear choices. Exciting, action-packed fantasy -- Mark Lawrence This book is so damned good . . . John Gwynne writes fantasy with the heart of a hero and the inventiveness of a master mage -- Sebastien de Castell This is extraordinarily good, an epic feat of the imagination. In this series Gwynne is setting a new benchmark in fantasy. I'd love to see it on screen -- Giles Kristian A riveting sequel, full of rousing, cinematic action that propels a wonderfully absorbing story -- James Islington A Time of Blood is an irresistible jaw-dropping sequel that shows the importance of Gwynne's role as an ever-burning bright star in modern fantasy -- NovelNotions 'Gwynne continues to be unafraid to dish out war, brutality and loss and the climax does not disappoint . . . I was left with an incredible finale that promises an explosive conclusion' -- KarinaReads John Gwynne must be a sorcerer because A Time of Blood is one hell of a monumental book . . . I was literally glued to this book and didn't want it to end. All I want to do is shout GO READ THIS! -- NilsReviewsIt John Gwynne is one of the modern masters of heroic fantasy -- Adrian Tchaikovsky on A Time of Dread A Time of Dread reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place' -- Robin Hobb A brilliantly compelling heroic fantasy - likeable characters with nuance, a story that builds at a perfect pace, and a thrilling, climactic ending that kept me reading late into the night -- James Islington on A Time of Dread Great evils, conflicted heroes, bloody battles, betrayal, and giants riding battle bears! What's not to love? -- Peter Newman on A Time of Dread A fierce, gripping tale, and one I found hugely enjoyable -- Anna Smith Spark on A Time of Dread