Valor (Faithful and the Fallen)

This is a series review, as I read the books a while ago, and I see them as one story anyway. I had a little trouble getting into Malice (book 1). It seemed a little slow in the beginning. But I liked the writing, and felt a good story was underway. I was right. These books are not ultra-high end, Lord of the Rings type books which are studied and taught in literature classes. But of course not all books need to be EPIC MASTERPIECES FOR THE AGES! The stories are very good. Some reviewers have mentioned that the characters are derivative. It seems like that at first, but they do grow into very unique characters I cared about. There are some stock plot lines, which are tough to avoid (try to think up a story in your head - chances are it's been written many times). But as with the characters, they find their own voices pretty quickly. Beyond anything else, I can say that I simply enjoyed reading the books, and looked forward to reading them, and I'll read them again.I think people overlook that element far too frequently in reviews, instead choosing to hyper focus on the details. The stories in the books are exciting adventures, occurring in great Fantasy locations: castles, dungeons, deep forests, mountains, swamps etc. The writing is convincing and the world building is solid. The descriptions of the locations are very deftly written, in my humble opinion. I'd like to visit the world, but in quieter times. There are animal companions. Dogs wolves and ravens. I know..."Really, another wolf / raven / dog companion?" I've read a fair view animal companion books. But I love animals, and I love the human / animal bond found both in literature and life. I personally feel that it is more natural to have animal companion(s) that to not. Most of your friends and family have animal companions (I don't care for the word pet), don't they? If you like fantasy, give Malice a shot, and stick with it a bit. You will be pleasantly surprised. Great conflict, gray characters, and a few who don't know they are gray. The action picks up soon, and really doesn't lag. You can read all about the details in other reviews. Lastly, John Gwynne is a nice man. That matters to me. "Like" him on Facebook and ask him a question (sorry John, you are a busy man!). He'll answer. And he's a pretty quick writer. The fourth book of the series is done, and I believe he's just completed book 1 of a new series, which I'll read. That's a $10 check (after the publisher's cut) you can cash right now, John.Postscript: G I A N T S. And plenty of them. Smashing, stomping G I A N T S!

I was marginally enthusiastic about Malice, the first volume in this series by John Gwynne. It was pretty conventional, as epic fantasy goes, and perhaps too long with too much time spent on worldbuilding. But it picked up enough at the end that I wanted to continue, so I went ahead and bought this book, too.I think I like this better than book 1, and am looking forward to book 3 coming out in the fall. I feel like there was more action this time, though I will admit some of the battles started to run together. The writing style was about the same as the last and I can't honestly think of much to say about it. I suppose that means the author didn't have any annoying (to me) habits with respect to his use of words.I have mixed feelings regarding the sense of danger in the book. The good guys (at least the main POV ones) tend to make it out of battles relatively unharmed. It's more a question of which of their allies or which side character will die. Because there are quite a lot of deaths in this book, but they tend not to be POV characters (so not reaching George R.R. Martin territory just yet), with a few notable exceptions. And perhaps because they're not POV characters, we're not as moved by them. Also it kinds of seems like there are new people to fill in the gaps left by the ones who depart. Then again, that's to be expected in this type of book.Second books in a series often have a lot of problems. I think this is actually an improvement on book 1, though, and I like that we are getting a taste of what is presumably going to be the final conflict. Key players from both sides meet (though their subsequent separation is a bit too convenient in some instances).Another thing that is done well in this book (as opposed to some others I have read lately) is that the geopolitical conflict is nicely worked into the overall good-versus-evil story arc. Kingdoms are being fought over, alliances are being made and broken, various parties are manipulating and/or being deceived. But it all fits. (As opposed to Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle, where the last 2-3 books have been expounding on a foreign culture at length without advancing the plot...)That is not to say there isn't anything that should be cut. I find that the character Maquin's storyline is a bit unbalanced. I find him to be sympathetic and to have more of a point than Kastell's storyline in book 1 (Kastell is a young nobleman Maquin has been charged with guarding). But there is a *lot* of internal monologue regarding his personal quest for revenge. He ends up as a pit fighter at one point (like a Roman gladiator, for simplicity's sake). And there is much discussion about how he abstains from excess. And so forth. It starts to get repetitive. But some of Maquin's parts are done well -- the number of pit fights described in detail is just about right. Also done well is a storyline with Fidele (mother of Nathair, leader of one of the two great forces being gathered) in the second half of the book. We get just enough of the negatives to really sympathize with her plight, without it being overdone.Much of Corban's (the hero, basically) storyline is that of running -- either to get away from pursuers, or to the rescue of someone who has been captured. Thankfully we are not treated to endless descriptions of nights in the woods. (On the other hand, we are treated to many, many descriptions of battles...) This is somewhat balanced by Corban's thoughts about coming to terms with a prophecy about him. I think his reaction is suitable for someone his approximate age, with his background.MInor spoilers in this paragraph, but not related to the main plot (at least not yet). Veradis is another POV character who returns (he's Nathair's battlechief, basically). As is Cywen, Corban's sister. I predict an actual romance between the two of them in book 3 or later. Because nearly every scene with one of them in it mentions dreamy thoughts about the other. Veradis isn't so important, overall, in this book. His parts could have been taken by nearly any one of Nathair's battle leaders. He often wasn't even with Nathair. He seems to be in this book solely to remind us that (1) he exists, (2) he has a thing for Cywen, and (3) this is speculation but I think he is supposed to be having doubts about Nathair and I suspect he will change sides at some point in the future. So he is kind of predictable. He was better in book 1. But I think he has some potential, some further room for growth, so we will see. Cywen, on the other hand, changes very little from book 1.I will say, I am actually interested in some of the side characters. Many are complex, with appropriate flaws and conflicting loyalties. I think the level of character development, at least for the viewpoint characters, is quite good. Some of the villains are a little one-dimensional (Jael, Rhin, and even Nathair at this point). But at least there are several of them, and they are capable of being manipulated and/or defeated or at least suffering setbacks, so they are not all-powerful baddies. It gives a sense of a more even conflict, not something one-sided, and that does make for a better story.In the end, I found myself wanting to read this despite the flaws I mentioned above. I thought the pace was decent for about 2/3 of the book (spread about, not limited to the beginning or end). I thought many of the characters were well-developed. I thought it was an improvement on book 1, and it definitely left me looking forward to book 3, which I think I'm going to go pre-order now.

This one was action packed with battles, battles, and more battles!! Lots of surprises and heartbreaking deaths. This series still reminds me so much of Game of Thrones - and I can’t stop reading it! On to the next! Oh and please will someone make this into a series??? Thanks!

I enjoyed the prophecy coming into fruition. I love how the main characters continue to survive despite their losses because of their losses. I'm eager to see who wins the war,the light or the dark.

This book is well worth the small struggle I had of getting through the first half of book one. Filled to the brim with action and excitement, I could feel myself growing steadily more attached to the characters. Once again this series brought tears to my eyes with the loss and tragedy suffered by the cast of characters alongside anger at those being misled. Each victory for the side of good making me punch the air in excitement only to be followed by a heartwrenching loss, this book was a roller coaster I didn't want to end. I devoured it so lucky for me I already have book 3 in hand because I must know what happens next.

I didn’t like this one as much as Malice. The writing is still excellent but the story had too many POVs and the chapters were so short it was hard to get invested in all the POV’s stories. The ending was fantastic and I gave it an extra star but I had a hard time following all of the characters involved.

I burned through this one. Gwynne did an awesome job building on the characters from the first book in the series. He takes his time with the story and every chapter leaves you wanting more, especially in the back half of the book.

The physical condition of the book was perfect. The cover art was also embossed.

Very nice book.You really want to know how the story progresses.Cant wait to start on the third book in the series.

Wow what a book miles better than the first in the series . Full of a great action and chock full of great characters . Brilliantly written set at a great pace full of interweaving plot lines . It continues the epic tale brilliantly set up in the first book of good versus evil with giants ,demons ,monsters ,pirates, gladiators,betrayal and trechory. I absolutely loved it and think that John Gwynne is probably the best in the business of fantasy novelist. I can't wait to read the next instalment in this series.

J’ai trouvé ce second tome encore mieux que le premier puisqu’on n’a plus la grosse phase de démarrage, il part tout de suite et ne nous lâche plus jusqu’à la fin. The faithful and the fallen est bien parti pour venir se classer dans le panthéon de mes séries préférées. Les tomes 3 et 4 nous confirmeront ça.(Lire la critique complète sur le blog de l'ours inculte)