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Cover of A Time of Blood by John Gwynne

Book 2 in Of Blood & Bone

A Time of Blood

by John Gwynne

512 pages

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A Time of Blood by John Gwynne continues the Of Blood & Bone series as war intensifies, heroes face deadly challenges, and dark magic threatens to tip the balance of power across the kingdoms.

Of Blood & Bone series tropes

Tagged on the series as a whole, so not every book will feature each one.

About the book

A Time of Blood by John Gwynne is the second novel in the Of Blood & Bone series, escalating the epic fantasy saga of war, magic, and political intrigue. Following the events of A Time of Dread, the story plunges readers deeper into a world where heroic warriors and cunning villains confront mounting threats, monstrous enemies, and treacherous schemes that could destroy the fragile balance of power.

As kingdoms prepare for all-out conflict, the protagonists must navigate dangerous alliances, personal trials, and moral dilemmas that test their loyalty, courage, and resilience. Gwynne masterfully intertwines fast-paced action, strategic warfare, and magical elements with rich character development, making the stakes both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

The novel expands on themes of honor, vengeance, sacrifice, and the blurred line between good and evil. Key characters face life-altering choices while confronting both external enemies and their inner struggles. Relationships, loyalties, and betrayals play central roles, adding depth and tension to the narrative.

A Time of Blood features popular epic fantasy tropes such as large-scale battles, morally grey characters, dark magic, heroic quests, political intrigue, and monstrous adversaries. Gwynne’s storytelling combines immersive worldbuilding, cinematic action, and suspenseful plot twists to keep readers engaged throughout.

Ideal for fans of epic fantasy, character-driven adventure, and high-stakes magical warfare, A Time of Blood continues the Of Blood & Bone saga with thrilling action, complex characters, and a richly imagined world that sets the stage for the next installment in the series.

Of Blood & Bone reading order

Full reading order

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About A Time of Blood

Who wrote A Time of Blood?
A Time of Blood was written by John Gwynne.
Is A Time of Blood part of a series?
Yes. A Time of Blood is book 2 in the Of Blood & Bone series. To read the series in order, start with A Time of Dread.
How many pages is A Time of Blood?
A Time of Blood is 512 pages long.
What books are similar to A Time of Blood?
If you enjoyed A Time of Blood, readers also recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses, From Blood and Ash, Caraval and Lightlark.

About John Gwynne

New York Times bestselling author of brutal, epic fantasy. Creator of The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, and The Bloodsworn Saga. David Gemmell Morningstar Award winner. Viking reenactor crafting tales of warriors, honor, and ancient gods.

Books, series and tropes by John Gwynne

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