TRUTH AND COURAGE! I'm in the middle of recording a John Gwynne related video, too. Talk about great timing! 😄 One of the best series. Still pleased you loved this one, too, Mike!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I owe it all to you, amigo, for hyping me up for this one. It met those expectations and, in many ways, exceeded them.

I was never really a reader in my life but this series not only made me love epic fantasy, but also it made me a reader.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Wow!

If there is a series tailor made for the epic Mike's Book Reviews treatment, it's The Faithful and the Fallen! Truth and Courage!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

So happy you read these

Love this so much, Mike. Your original video about FatF inspired Will and I to start our own channel, it got us so excited seeing how much fun it could be to geek out with everyone about Papa G’s writing. You’re a true captain of the warband ❤️ Ed

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I couldn't be more pleased to know this vid made you guys happy.

@egilgarberg9893

2 ай бұрын

Are your dad from northern UK? More norse influence in the language there. Bairn, Barn (Norwegian) vs children. Or Kirk, Kirke(Norwegian), vs Church

Maquin Oathkeeper will always be one of my favorite characters of all time. I loved FATF but Maquin’s POV and story always hit hard for me. Truth and Courage!

@madscientist2621

2 ай бұрын

His story was great and my 2nd favorite character behind Camlin.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Maquin is the best.

This series was such a surprise to me. Perfect balance between “grim dark” violence, and hopeful optimism stemming from truth and courage. There’s grief and tragedy, but there are also those who overcome pain through companionship and love.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Could not have said it better. Agreed all the way around.

I still miss all these characters over a year after finishing the final book (the relationship with Storm was just so emotional!), that has to be the ultimate accolade. Knocks the crap out of Game of Thrones in my opinion!

I’m reading the last book, Wrath, right now. I usually don’t like that classic fantasy type story (chosen one, dark lord, etc.) but John Gwynne really flips those tropes on their head and makes them his own. Some of the most epic fantasy I’ve ever read. Truth and courage!

@aleksandervadla9881

2 ай бұрын

If you liked the series you should definetely check out: the bound and the broken series. It is similar in some ways, but way more epic

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I remember dragging my feet on the last 100 pages because I didn't want to say goodbye

Crazy - Just started Valor, book 2, yesterday! Loved book 1.

I recently found a copy of Malice at a used book store for $5. I was already thinking about starting the series, but after that find AND this video, I am definitely starting it soon.

Amazing series. It’s one of those series I think about often. Maquin is my favourite fantasy character.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Maquin has the most amazing arc. One of the best I've read.

Absolutely awesome trailer! Soooo cool. TRUTH AND COURAGE!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

So glad you liked it! Thanks again for your help with the artwork. Hope Papa Gwynne likes the vid!

Incredible series that’s not talked about enough! I’m halfway through Ruin and the series keeps getting better and better. Thrilled you made this video!! We need more fanart for this series too 😭

@RLX5201

2 ай бұрын

I hope you’re ready for that ending to Ruin! Let’s just say it’ll make you want to start book 4 instantly

@shannondarin7243

2 ай бұрын

I got the book lined up so I’ll be good to go! 👏🙌

@noname3609

2 ай бұрын

@@shannondarin7243 If u love Ruin.Wrath will blow you away 😊

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I got this art straight from the Gwynne's. Wish there was more out there.

Still my #1 all time series. That grim oak press is so expensive and already sold out but may look to get solid physical copies one day.. I also like to give myself a pat on the back for discovering this series in 2018 way before booktube.

I did a buddy read with my best friend’s youngest son, recent college grad age, and we both loved it. We’d text each other after each reading session and have lunch at the midpoint and end of each book in the series. A wonderful way to read the series.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

That's so great!

I am on Ruin now. I was doing audio for the first two but there are so many characters and their names sometimes blend together so I got extremely confused. Will be picking Ruin up physically soon and I’m so excited to continue 🖤

⚔️ 🛡️ ⚔️ TRUTH AND COURAGE ⚔️ 🛡️ ⚔️

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

⚔

Honestly, no more words needed! And now I want to re-experience this epic journey all over again, I miss the crew!! Truly one of the greats of the genre for good reason. Truth and courage is a way of life ⚔

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I really do miss those characters.

Absolutely loved this series , even the follow up I was worried cause it’s a hundred years after after the faithful and the fallen but it was so good. I recommended it to all my friends I even read it twice

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

The guy just doesn't miss

I loved the story and its characters have stuck with me even after finishing the series almost 4 years ago. I have you to thank Mike for introducing me to the series and John Gwynne who's become an automatic author for me!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

We are the same in that regard

It already was on my TBR, but after this video it moved up quite a few spaces.

Gwynne writes action scenes better than any other author I’ve read. Book 1 was slow, but the mysteries were intriguing and it ended with an epic red wedding level event. Book 2 was amazing from start to finish. Book 3 is repetitive, the same things happen to the same people over and over again and the story goes nowhere. I gave up half way through book 4 because I just couldn’t do it anymore. I will go back to it eventually because I want to know how it ends.

I'm currently reading this series. Just started the second book. I'm really enjoying it.

I've had this series sitting on my dining room table for about 6 months now I think it's just been moved up to 'next in queue' 😃(excellent timing)

Just finished Wrath, I am a 240 lbs firefighter that does bodybuilding as a hobby and I cried. I listened to the audiobooks. Bro I wasn’t expecting this to be so good

FATF has one of (if not THE) Best endings to a fantasy series i've ever read....fantastic character arcs!!!! Also the ending of Book 3 is one of the most emotional endings to a book ive ever read!

I've read this back in 2020, and It has easily become one of my favorite authors of all time. I would buy anything this man puts out for us to read. And I will most likele reread everything again in the future. Craf for life!! Truth and courage

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

JG is a day 1 read for me until further notice.

@jimronnysrlie8601

2 ай бұрын

@@mikesbookreviews Yea, me too! Can't wait for fear of the gods. I've heard that It is INSANE!!!! hype hype :P

I liked it started slow and that you get to know a lot about the characters . Just great books.

It will probably always be my favorite writings from John. It is so far. Love it.

Been hanging on this series forever. Own all 4 books. Just started it after seeing this video! 2 chapters in. So excited to take what sounds to be an incredible journey!

This will definitely be the next series i pick up. Thanks Mike!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

I started Malice awhile back and couldnt get into it. I did however pick up The Shadow of the Gods and am halfway through and holy crap is it freaking amazing! I'm hoping Bloodsworn will kick start me back into Malice. Keep up the inspiration, Mike! You're doing a great job at it

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Hope you'll give it another go!

I read this series after watching you review it and malice was the first book i read after a long unfortunate time of not reading and i was blown away. Like you Mike i could not put the books down I ordered the other 8 books of his straight away and it didnt take me long to get though them and am now while waiting for book 3 of the blood sworn saga back in love with reading fantasy . TRUTH AND COURAGE

Love the vids! Thanks for making awesome high quality content!

I found The Faithful and the Fallen from you Mike. Now it's my second favorite fantasy series of all time. Love all of your Why You Should Read videos, and this is no exception. I must say though, now I would love to see Why You Should Read: Of Blood and Bone. Haha

I have read this series but I'm here to hear more of your thoughts, your content is that good.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

Great series! Loved the sequal series as well!

Man, I miss those beautiful intros. Thanks Mike. I was surprised when I saw this video this morning, I’m almost done with Valor right now. I’m thoroughly enjoying the series so far.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

So glad you're enjoying the series!

John Gwynne is how a found your channel. John Gwynne has hit with every time I read one of his books. I can't wait for the next Bloodsworn book.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

He's automatic

Brilliant I just started Malice. Only 140 pages in and I'm really enjoying it but damn there are a lot of names

I just finished Empire of the Damned and I couldn't figure out what to read next. I've been wanting to read this series and now's the perfect time!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

yes!

Im literally in the middle of ruin right now so this is very convenient. Already really enjoying the book but this has made me even more excited, hypes it up that much more. Great video! Always love those intros, they’re very epic

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Hope you love it!

This series is a page turner, lots of actions and never gets bored. love it.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Lightning quick

My favorite series of all time, thanks to your high recommendations. Read it last year and nothing quite compares to it. If you start the series, know that there will be a dump of characters in the first hundred pages that might seem overwhelming, just keep going as it is worth it.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

💯

Thinking about going back to re-read this series which isn't something I do very often. It's that good.

I felt empty after reading this series. The 2nd series was great do not get me wrong. I loved it as well, but the Faithful and Fallen is my baby. I couldn't put it down. I loved all 4 books. I was nursing a partial tricep tear for about 6-8 months, and all I did was read, watch shows, and game, but this series stole my heart! It should be adapted into a TV series or movie. I loved so many characters Truth and Courage the Banished Lands forever!!

Excited to watch!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Hope it met the hype.

@Avery-ec4lt

2 ай бұрын

Per usual you knocked it out of the park buddy!​@mikesbookreviews

I love his Bloodsworn books, that's as far as I've gotten with Gwynne. But I own the four books Faithful/Fallen and excited to get into them

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Hope you like them!

This was a really good series. No one was safe, no over the top plotlines or forced moddern day political bs. Thanks for recommending this series on your channel

I finished all 6 books last week. It took me about 2 weeks to finish everything. I absolutely loved it all but particularly the 3 FF books. They were all wonderful and exciting and heartwarming. Thank you for your review!

Great series & great video!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Gracias!

Awesome video Mike. Absolutely love this series and I did the same thing, bought all 4 at once lol. John Gwynne has become a favourite author.

What a great intro! Well, I read the first three books, then I got into a massive slump and haven't picked up Wrath for about 18 months now. I really need to get back to the series. Thank you for rekindling my love for these books.

Great video. I just finished the Faithful and the Fallen last week. Loved it. Truth and Courage!

Love this kind of videos. You should do more like it. Very good, you convince me to read "The Faithful and the Fallen."

ReReading atm... knowing that characters will not survive even 20% of the pages after being introduced has not been preparation enough... imo, it adds just a little more dread... such a great series🥰

Amazing series! Truth and Courage!!!❤

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

⚔

Not gonna lie, this is probably one of two fantasy series that I actually DNFed. What is funny is that I DNFed at about 70% in Wrath, and I have a very different opinion than probably most, which is that the first and second books were my favorites from this series, while the last two... well, I DNFed, so I think it's quite telling.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

No one thing is for everyone

@szfo6090

2 ай бұрын

@@mikesbookreviews Yep. Still it was a downer. I enjoyed the first two quite a lot.

I’m listening to the books while I do my mail routes. I’m a little over halfway through the second book. It’s so good and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

My sister got me Malice for Christmas this last year. I blew through the series in 2 months. I had no expectations and it got me hook, line, and sinker. Be prepared, the last 25% of Wrath is the start of the climax. It was difficult to force myself to put it down. Should have took me 3 or 4 nights, but I read it in 2. Rhin is the only real 1 dimensional character. You can understand, if not sympathize, with how Evnis and Nathair turned out.

Thanks Mike. Once again, your enthusiasm is infectious. I also wanted to let you know, that I am on the last 90 minutes of listening to Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker: the movie novel. It was really good. I had to take a break from listening to the Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett, I will likely get back to that later. I never saw the last Star Wars movie, episode 9, but I am really glad that I read the book instead. The narrator was fantastic. It was pretty cool to hear the instrumental music in the background too.

Incredible video,I missed some FatF content. I've read this series 3 years ago thanks to you and absolutely loved it,it's in my top five series of all times. John Gwynne also has my favourite writing style. Some of these characters remains with you forever,when you listed some of the most memorable characters,I wanted to shout Brina at you 😅. Truth and Courage ⚔

‘Why You Should Read’s are my absolute favorite videos! this series is one of my all-time greats, following only Malazan. thanks for the great content Mike

Absolutely one of my favorite series. John Gwynne is fantastic!

I am currently reading The Shadow of The Gods ! And it is a page turner ! I’m half way through! ⚔️🐉🐺🐍 And these book covers are amazingly beautiful 🤩

@noname3609

2 ай бұрын

Hunger of the gods is even better to my thought cage 😁

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

All his books are lightning quick

CAN'T WAIT 😍

Did you get the Grim Oak Press SE? So happy I was able to get one, can’t wait for the great excuse to re-read this amazing series with the awesome-looking SE! In my top-5 fantasy series, Ruin and Wrath were just incredible.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I did not. Kitchen renovations got me broke.

Thoroughly enjoyed this review - got a great feel for what to expect without any hint of spoilers. Well done, almost done the first book so this video was timely! Cheers!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Hope you like the series!

Getting back into reading again. Flew though Mistborn, now onto Red Rising. So many things I want to read! I feel so far behind. Love your videos. Watched a bunch of them to get an understanding of what great stories are out there to be read. Thanks!

@BoilingKoolaid

2 ай бұрын

Red Rising is a good series too! The beginning of the first book is a slog, but when it picks up, it stays good.

@PleatedPants

2 ай бұрын

@@BoilingKoolaid 100 pages left in Golden Sun. I’m enjoying it. So much going on so fast, keeps you turning pages.

Love that you’ve done this. Spreading the Gospel of Gwynne No spoilers but the end of Ruin - I hadn’t felt that way reading a book in a long time John has a real gift for writing somewhere pitch perfect between despair and hope.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

No doubt. I was not okay.

You already convinced me long ago to read this and I’m currently on book three. I’ve loved every minute of it. So I don’t need to watch this but of course, I’m going to. The artwork alone is worth it. So glad you did one of these for this series. This series will end up a top five for me if all goes well in book four:) Love it!

Have not, but I love Gwynne's work and just ordered the Grim Oak Malice edition. Got a while til I get it, but super excited to read this series. Keep hearing nothing but good, and like I already said, I love The Bloodsworn saga, so I'm pretty sure this series will be right up my alley!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I wanted to but decided to be a responsible adult...for once

@astevenswrites

2 ай бұрын

@@mikesbookreviews It's actually my first special edition and I feel I've started down a dangerous road

This a great entry level fantasy series. Doesn’t do anything new but does it really well. Definitely greater than the sum of its parts.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Definitely think it's a great intro to adult fantasy

Just finished Wrath for the first time earlier this week. So good. Truth and Courage!

I’ve had Malice on my bookshelf for sometime and after hearing you talk about it positively for so long, I finally started it. 200 pages in and it’s fantastic. Thanks Mike!

I saw this series in your top fantasy series video, then watched this one, and bought all 4 books in one go because I knew I'd love it... and you were right!! Definitely one of my top 10 fantasy series now as well, I just finished the last book and wish I could go back and read it all over again. The only other time I've had a book hangover this bad was after finishing Wheel of Time (which is actually how I found your channel almost 2 years ago!) Thanks as always for the amazing recommendations and reviews ❤

Fell in love with Malice. Wanting to get back into this series.

@noname3609

2 ай бұрын

You should since Malice is weakest Gwynne book🙏

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Only gets better.

Definetely in my top 5. Amazing series, with the right amount of fantasy, plot and characters.

The Faithful and The Fallen is an excellent series. One of my favorites for sure!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

No doubt

this series has been on my "to read" list for so long. i think i'll finally pick it up next

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

About to finish Of Blood and Bone, and I'm really enjoying the series. Maybe it's just recency bias, but I think I like it even more than the Faithful and Fall.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

There's no wrong answers there. For me there was no character as legit as Maquin in the sequels. But they're great.

FATF been on my TBR a while, just never hot past book 1. This has me hyped to pick it back up

I’m only on Valor but thank you for introducing me Mike. Jon’s so badass

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Buckle up!

Going to start Malice tomorrow - cannot wait!

Just started Ruin the other day… binged the first 2 real quick and they were sooo good

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it!

Have not read yet but one of these days ill get to this series!

Loved this series, now buying all the JG i can find 🤠😎🥳

What was really refreshing about this series and John Gwynne in general is that there is no cringe inducing forced sex scenes. I was really liking Joe Abercrombie but his insistence in writing really terrible sex scenes just takes me completely out of the story. And honestly its something that I have noticed in a lot of mature fantasy/sci fi that I have been reading. I don't know why writers insist on writing weirdly descriptive, uncomfortable sex scenes in all their works. Its like they think its mandatory for an adult/mature piece of fiction. But Gwynne manages to keep a mature, serious tone through his books and even introduce love stories without having to resort to that kind of stuff. I really wish more writers would take his approach.

About a third of the way into Ruin and loving it of course. I would love to know where Mike found the art he used in his into, it really helps with visualization of things.

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

I actually got it from the Gwynnes!

I loved this series. Was the first epic fantasy book series I’ve read, I can’t wait to move on to more!! Any recommendations would be good also!!

We all wish that about any book series we are reading.

Yes Mr Mike I’ve read the first book of the series about a year and a half ago and I was literally blown away. I don’t need to read the wheel of time, the lord of the rings or anything else unless I finish this series first and according to you “Thanks very much” the first book is the least greatest of them all. Now having said that I’ve got a confession to make where I read the first book all this time ago and so by the time that I got around to the second book “thanks to my ever expanding reading list” I’d already forgotten the exact details and herein lies my problem with trying to read trilogies as I end up getting into a lot of other books and if I do end up getting back to the series I’ll be lucky to remember what happened exactly. This actually is the only story I’ve gotten back to read the second book albeit only to realise that I couldn’t quiete remember the exact details what exactly happened in the first book so now I must start from book one again which I don’t mind as it was such an unbelievably great read but I think a better way to go about it is to try to finish the series before getting into anything else as when you’ve got an ever increasing long range reading list and you’re always trying to increase your reading speed and comprehension trying to get up to a 100 miles a minute. I’ve read the first book of quiete a few very good books Bernard Cornwall; Red Rising; Star Wars but then I got distracted with other books and then time elapsed but I can honestly say that this here story is the one that’s on my mission to finish out of all others

@annakhjelm146

2 ай бұрын

I can relate and I am also a slow reader, so it usually takes me quite some time to get to a sequal. Which is why I began to write down the most important details on paper and keep it in the book, so that I have an easy to find refresher of the important stuff 😁 It might not work for every one, but I discovered pretty quickly, that writing it down on paper somehow makes it eaisier to remember when reading thrugh my notes again. 😊

@joehigashi11

2 ай бұрын

@@annakhjelm146 Yes; how accurate you are but the only problem for me in that since I’m not accustomed nor interested in writing on paper, thereby only leaving that unpractical option open for the notes app on my iPhone. So because there’s a heck of a lot of details and points to be made and remembered in a massive story like this here novel, therefore it becomes too laborious and time consuming a task. Especially if you’re on a mission to get through as much great literature and trying to keep up behind with your ever expanding reading list after whatever time you do manage to get out of your complex undisciplined life. This is why I wanted Mr Mike to give us a narrative of how to increase reading efficiency habits with comprehension and speed albeit it’s also been said that reading a great book is like drinking a very expensive wine as you’ve got to slowly to savour the full proper taste

@annakhjelm146

2 ай бұрын

@@joehigashi11 That is a great point. I too want to read as many great books as possible in my lifetime. I think every teader dose 😉 The note thing is something that helps me avoid having the reread a lot of books, especially if I am tackling a bigger series, so it works well for me. I can honoustly say, that I would jave had seriouse trouble getting thrugh all 10 Malazan books with out my scribbling along while reading. Yes, it dose take some time, especially until one gets used to doing it -(I am old enough, that the computer not even was a thing until I was in my ladt year of college🙈 Notes were a nessacary evil, that were vital back then 😉 ) - and I totally understand if someone not has any interest in doing the extra 'work', because we all have our own rutines/ways of reading. Reading is after all a very personal hobby/pass time 😊 There is after all no wrong way. Just as long as you are enjoying your book, everything is fine 😁 I do appologice for my english spelling. It is not my first language 😊

@joehigashi11

2 ай бұрын

@@annakhjelm146 ❤️❤️❤️ Yes and Yes I completely agree with all your points and don’t worry as English isn’t my first either. I’ve read quiete a few first books of many a series of popular novelas and I can honestly tell you that this one is one of the if not the greatest book 1 of Series that I’ve ever read. My only real problem is that I’ve hardly ever finished an entire series except for Stephen King’s the Dark Tower and that too I managed to do after many a many a years but luckily there’s a book by one of his fans which explains everything and more about the entire dark tower story like a mini recap so what I couldn’t remember I got from that book instead but I guess my tendency to get side tracked onto other books is the reason why I’m not very good with finishing series stories so I think that for future reading I’ve got to hit it all on the first go or maybe very quickly finish just one other book in the between. Lastly there’s nothing wrong with rereading a great book as not all books are written equally and some stories are better than others while others are “Legendary”. I’ve read quite a few books but there’s just certain books that’ll always stick with me over others because their quality and style was unparalleled and I wouldn’t mind rereading them when I get around to it

@joehigashi11

2 ай бұрын

@@annakhjelm146 I agree with you about keeping notes on a big one like this as there’s probably too many points to remember throughout the entire series so it’ll be helpful

Reading Ruin now. 70% done. This series is so good and I'm so glad I got the Grim Oak edition. 🖤 Also, as a woman who reads grim dark fantasy, I am very happy that the women in the book are depicted as courageous and strong. Same goes for Bloodsworn. 🙌

@annakhjelm146

2 ай бұрын

I totally agree 😀

I have the same us edition on my shelf! Cant wait to get to it! But the size of these books is a bit scary

TRUTH AND COURAGE

Okay the “u” joke was good. The intro was pretty epic. So I was very meh on shadow of the gods and am wondering if I should still try the faithful and the fallen at some point? Probably after I finish mistborn. Also great video I feel dumb for not clicking on your thumbnails sooner

Hey Mike, I am reading Ruin at the moment. Spoilers ahead............ Ulfilas in chapter 52 has a bear consuming Gramm's intestines... So maybe it gets darker over time.

Just started Wrath today!

@noname3609

2 ай бұрын

My favourite from Tfatf!

@mikesbookreviews

2 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

ok, you convinced me to start this - I've owned 1 & 2 for years, kept putting it off as I found 'grimdark' was not for me.

I didn't read it yet but I have malice on my kindle ready to go soon.