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Cover of A Time of Dread by John Gwynne

Book 1 in Of Blood & Bone

A Time of Dread

by John Gwynne

512 pages

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A Time of Dread by John Gwynne begins the Of Blood & Bone series, following heroes and villains in a dark epic fantasy world filled with war, monsters, and dangerous magic.

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 Dread by John Gwynne is the first installment in the Of Blood & Bone series, launching readers into a sprawling epic fantasy world of magic, war, and dark forces. The novel follows heroic warriors and cunning villains as they confront deadly threats, monstrous creatures, and treacherous plots that could reshape the fate of kingdoms.

At the heart of the story are characters who must navigate personal and political challenges while testing their loyalty, courage, and moral limits. As battles rage and secrets surface, the stakes grow ever higher, and the consequences of choices made by both heroes and villains ripple across the land.

John Gwynne blends thrilling action, epic battle scenes, and magical elements with rich character development, creating a story that is as emotionally engaging as it is pulse-pounding. Themes of honor, sacrifice, vengeance, and the struggle between light and darkness run throughout, offering readers a multi-layered fantasy experience.

A Time of Dread features popular epic fantasy tropes such as heroic quests, morally complex characters, dark magic, monstrous enemies, political intrigue, and high-stakes battles. Gwynne’s vivid worldbuilding, well-crafted dialogue, and relentless pacing make the novel a compelling start to a sweeping series.

Ideal for fans of epic fantasy and action-driven stories, A Time of Dread sets the stage for the rest of the Of Blood & Bone series, promising adventure, danger, and unforgettable characters in a richly imagined world of magic and war.

Of Blood & Bone reading order

Full reading order

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About A Time of Dread

Who wrote A Time of Dread?
A Time of Dread was written by John Gwynne.
Is A Time of Dread part of a series?
Yes. A Time of Dread is book 1 in the Of Blood & Bone series, and it is the best place to start reading the series.
How many pages is A Time of Dread?
A Time of Dread is 512 pages long.
What books are similar to A Time of Dread?
If you enjoyed A Time of Dread, readers also recommend A Court of Thorns and Roses, Caraval, From Blood and Ash and Spark of the Everflame.

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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