Compared to David Gemmell and George R. R Martin, John Gwynne's first novel Malice was called a "Hell of a debut" by bestselling author Conn Iggulden and shortlisted for the Gemmell award for best debut novel. The story continues in his second novel, Valour.
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 first novel, Malice, won the David Gemmell Morningstar award for best debut fantasy. Valour is his second novel.
The prose is sharp, the pace works wonderfully well and when added
to a whole cast of complex character that bring not only the world
in which they inhabit to life but bring their own thoughts and
desires to the reader with space to spare. All round, this series
is building into one of favourites of the last few years and to
have an author who can produce a second book of high quality in
good time and schedule shows that this author has a bright future.
Great stuff.
*Falcata Times*
Valour is hands down, the best fantasy I have read in an age. I
thought Providence of Fire might have claimed it, but Valour came
swooping in and stole the title . . . may be becoming one of my all
time favourite fantasy series . . . I’d probably class it with
early Eddings, Gemmell and Goodkind, but with more maturity,
stronger characters.. And more Omph! (technical term)
*Bookfrivolity*
Valour manages to surpass what was already a very strong debut,
somehow managing to be even better than Malice . . . John Gwynne is
a writer good enough to create characters you can love, and
confident enough to kill them off when the time is right . . . A
great read. Real characters in a well crafted world you can really
immerse yourself in to.
*Dominish Reviews*
The ‘Chosen-One’ offspring of George R R Martin and J K Rowling,
raised on the bedtime stories of Tolkien and whipped into fighting
shape by David Gemmell . . . but still 100% Gwynne . . . John
Gwynne wades in with a depth of world building that’d see most
newbie authors flounder.
*Written With a Sword Reviews*
I really enjoyed the parts of the story that were set in the
Celtic-influenced areas. The settings are beautiful and vivid, and
the forests and mountains and castles distinctly brought to my mind
the time I’ve spent in Wales and Scotland.
*Half Strung Harp Reviews*
A real gem . . . the traditional good versus evil tale in with very
nontraditional twists.
*Power and Page Reviews*
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