John Gwynne Faithful and the Fallen Collection 4 Books Set

These books are absolutely incredible and I utterly loved all of them. I read a lot of fantasy novels, by authors including George RR Martin, Mark Lawrence, Anthony Ryan and Joe Abercrombie, and much as I love all those authors, these books really do have an edge to them that elevates them to pole position in my "best ever" reads - and I do not say that lightly at all, it's a hard fought battle, no pun intended!So what makes them so good? In a nutshell, it's basically because John Gwynne is just such a downright excellent story teller - it really is as simple as that. Brilliant characters, richly detailed and believable world/world building, violent as hell in parts, profoundly deep and thought provoking in others.Also nail bitingly exciting, and many parts leave you emotionally exhausted having read them - leaving you wanting to shout in anger, cry, laugh or otherwise just leave your jaw on the floor marvelling at how seemingly minor plot pieces come to bear and have a massive impact several hundred pages later, something initially seen as innocuous, having a huge bearing on the story - just first class, top notch writing.I'm not going to get into the story or what it's about, you'll find out once you start - and when you do, especially at the end of book one (Malice), you will immediately reach for the second book (Valour), and then again for the third and likewise fourth!!Just as an aside, these books are not at all child/early teen orientated and firmly fall into the "adult" camp - very much an 18 certificate, with violence, dark/sinister plotlines, and adult themes throughout.If you like Fantasy novels of a kin with The Song of Ice and Fire by George Martin, The First Law by Joe Abercrombie, or Raven's Shadow by Anthony Ryan, you will adore these books - I absolutely, 110% guarantee it!!Treat yourself - £25 quid for these 4 books as a package is ludicrously good value, and worth every penny

Great series

These books are criminally underrated and every time I see even one review below 4 stars my heart breaks just a little. Because in my opinion? "The Faithful and the Fallen" as a quadrilogy really does belong in the upper echelons of modern fantasy series'.Every book in my opinion brings something that the others do not, and though yes, some parts fall to the wayside in the light of others, as a whole they are brilliant. The first (Malice) in particular is just one of my favourite books of all time at this point. I've been reading copious amounts of fantasy literature in the half year since I've read it and since then, in absolute honesty, only David Gemmel's Legend has surpassed it in the impact it made.They also walk a really fine line in terms of tragedy and violence. Some parts are toe curlingly unpleasant and cruel but yet... the story sticks to the heroic principles that it spawns from. Though dark it feels like a real fantasy romp, where the heroes are heroic and the villains villainous.Some parts will be hard, but if you enjoy fantasy you owe it to yourself to at least read Malice, and from there I would really defy you to not want to continue.And on the final note the quality of the books themselves are second to none, the covers are brilliant. And the delivery came without a hitch or problem to complain of.

The books are good time sinks and hard to put down. There is a way of writing that is fun and easy. It does give away major plot points or opposition with perhaps too much ease; you will see a surprise coming from a chapter away, if not half a book away. They are, however, a very good series with good pacing and flow for the most part. You will struggle to put it down. Don't expect the wheel of time, but its good fun and has some well written and interesting characters.

I have to say this is the best series I've read since Mistborn.The characters are likeable, well written,and have huge development and growth. The story is action pack, and it keeps gearing it up until the finale. And the best bit is each books ends on a cliff hanger that forces you to start the new book as soon as you finish the last.I'd find it hard to believe if anyone told me they struggled to enjoy a single book in this series.

Didn't LOVE the first book but there was enough there to tempt me to continue with the series. So glad I did, I loved the world Gwynne has built here. Talking crows, what's not to love?

I'm not a big reader, thought I bit off more than I could chew when I seen the thickness of these books, but they are so gripping I can't put them down, amazing writing no detail left out. Would highly recommend 👌🏻

Very good