By John Gwynne ( Author ) [ Ruin Faithful and the Fallen By Oct-2015 Paperback Paperback

The third instalment in the Faithful and the Fallen series continues the story laid out in Malice and Valour. Again, the story is split between numerous PoV characters, which at times is a little annoying (especially as some of them really are bit-part characters barely mentioned in the rest of the story and are only there to witness events). Whereas before the story followed perhaps three different adventures with little overlap, there is now a much wider scope to the overall plot with a number of different battles, sieges, journeys, confrontations all happening at the same time and the story generally chops and changes between these. At times in all three books now I have felt that the same thing is being told numerous times, everyone loses their father and looks for revenge, numerous people are betrayed by their brother, two interchangeable young heirs to different thrones are on the run from those seeking to end their claim to that throne etc. And the number of times groups just happen to cross paths in what is supposed to be a massive, dense, unnavigable forest, often just at the right time, is frankly preposterous. While some of the characters and some plot devices aren't great, the story telling and world building is brilliant. Once you remember who the character is and what they were doing last chapter (sometimes 100 pages ago!) it really is very gripping reading. Now that we (and they) know who the good guys and bad guys are, the balance in strength is constantly shifting as people change sides, massive warbands are wiped out in battle or castles taken/re-taken and groups flee through the forest. There is a lot of ground to cover in the last book of the series, but with all the main groups now zeroing in on the same area I expect this to be done to a satisfactory conclusion with the same pace as shown here.

Third volume in the 'Faithful and the Fallen' series of fantasy novels.This series began with 'Malice'. And this volume isn't a jumping on point, because there is nothing here to bring new readers up to speed. So they start with Malice.Regular readers of the series, read on.And be aware:This is not a trilogy. It was never billed as such on any of the books. Nor did they say how long the series would be. So perhaps we are all guilty of assumption. But don't go into this thinking it will end the story. Because it doesn't. And it will work better if you know that in advance.This volume runs for seven hundred and forty six pages. It is divided into ninety three chapters. There's a map of the setting at the start. Plus a cast of characters. Nice having that at the front because it makes it easier to refer to if needs be.Because there are a lot of characters here. And a lot of those are viewpoint characters. This will change for every chapter. All ninety three of them. Often characters will be in groups or pairs and one will be the viewpoint character for one chapter and then another from same group or pair for the next chapter. Which actually works quite well and is pretty neat.Anyhow, as a tale of war in a fantasy kingdom, this progresses nicely. If you read a lot of fantasy and it's been a while since you read the last one in the series, it can take a while to get back into the next volume when you pick it up. This isn't too much of a problem here, as it did all come back to me quite quickly.A lot of it is very good indeed. But it's a long book and not being the end means there are parts which perhaps could be stronger and shorter. But for the bulk of it, this is a very solid continuation of a very good series. And a pretty good read. Just being not the end of the story does take it down slightly from five stars. It does of course end on a huge cliffhanger. For the next book to resolve.So not entirely perfect, but still a decent read in a very good series.

Ok first off I knew that this wasn't the final instalment, somehow I have ended up in correspondence with John- I'm sure that I'm not the only one- & he takes the time to keep me/us updated- so I sort of pester him to type faster!I won't put any spoilers in but suffice to say some characters that have been there from the start don't make it, he doesn't appear to have fallen in to the trap of everything going wrong then miraculously not consequently leaving the reader feeling that the author run out of ideas.There is no way that you can read Ruin as a stand alone, way too many characters to juggle & there are plot lines firing off everywhere. If you are new to the story, start at the beginning & hopefully by the time that you are ready for number 4 it will be out!

I've been so looking forward to this, especially after being let down on Anthony Ryan's book. This was going to be the last instalment of a really good trilogy. The problem is, the more you get into the book, the more you kind of realise, how is John going to end it in a really short space of time, and he doesn't. So that sounds all negative, no its not. This is brilliant, not all heroes live, not all bad guys die. The characters are well thought out, interesting and you invest in the people. I did a little bit of a scream at the end because I was still thinking this was going to be the end, but in hindsight, the title 'Ruin' should have given me a clue. Buy it and read it. John, hurry up with the next (last) one please.

This series has sped up and up and now... wow! Epic fights, glorious comeuppances and... *weep* sad sad losses. Ruin has it all. Magic and battles, one-on-one duels to make your jaw drop; emotions rolling from high to low and back again, keeping you on your toes as much as the fast-footed warriors are when facing hulking giants and beastly bears. Man alive, but I thought I loved the previous two books - they're just the setting for this and - AND! - there's another book to come! WRATH! And I have it on my shelf = woohhooooo! I'm so glad I don't have to wait to have the cliff-hangers at the end of Ruin answered. Such revelations, such... I'm waffling on now, but I can't help it, because I genuinely loved this book. This is far from a structured review and I apologies, but it just... READ IT AND SEE!

So far after reading the first three books, John Gwynn has not failed to keep me interested. The characters are not flat, each have their own distinct personalities and mannerisms. The plot is rife with intrigue, action, scandal, betrayal, and all manner of medieval fantasy. What really enticed me over Game of Thrones, which I think would be the closest comparison to this book, is that there is much, MUCH less long drawn-out conversations about someone's father and that father's army, and his daughter's marriage and on and on and on. Also, although the book is not like GOT, where the writing is meant to be realistic in terms of main characters dying, good does not always win, etc., it does not have lack in the heart-string-pulling department; plenty of bad things happen, and the skill is in making it look as if good cannot win, even if you think you know they will. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the previous elements, or someone who has read the GOT books and needs something else to be addicted to.

The second book was pretty decent, there were some inconsistencies that led to strange conclusions, things that felt plain strange, but they mostly made sense.In the third book the author confirms having no knowledge of strategy at all, yet still trying to describe a battle. You can try to make an argument that the armies just don't have a tradition of doing things one way or another, that way you can end up with battles fought differently from what one would expect from historical texts: you don't have to be one hundred percent loyal to how medieval strategy worked when writing a medieval fantaly battle. That's one thing. Another is just plain refusing to use a bow for no reason at all. There have been, supposedly two thousands years of war. In two thousands years, brigands and bandits have realized you can use a bow to hurt someone from a safe distance. Yet it seem that even a warlord who is supposedly cunning and unconventional doesn't have a single archer. Hell, they defend fortresses by standing on the walls waiting for the ladders to be deployed then pushing back the attackers. Why build a fortess at all if you are going to do that? Again, a hatred towards bows, treating them as lower class weapons, or unfit for chivalry is okay, that would mean there are less archers, they are not too well trained, etc. But having no archers at all is silly. Pretty much anything where a fortress is involved is silly by the third book. Combat, in general, feels too surreal: too many times "a sword hacks at a spear, the shaft snapping", "an axe (or even battlehammer) bounces off of a shield", or "an arrow hits someone, sending them backwards". Combat can be exalted and irreal, it can add to the experience, but too much of it being just unbelieveable; logical decisions made by a character become trivial because rules you would think apply just don't.Appart from the combat, the book lost me when inconsistencies started appearing, and clear ones at that: characters just not remembering what they did (someone tells somebody to retrieve something that's under a box in a hidden alcove. Then they are surprised the box is gone); characters unable to find a moment in two thousands years to search the surface of a swamp because their enemies are watching them, yet they make forays into enemy territory causing a lot of trouble which is what makes their enemies watch them in the first place; people diying of an arrow to the chest, yet surviving a clean hit to the shoulder with a sword.In general, the idea was pretty decent, and the execution was bearable even good at times for the first two books. But the end of the third book was so poorly written I don't think anything could rescue it short of the main character waking up and saying it was a nightmare.

Lo compré para ir practicando la lectura en inglés, ir acumulando vocabulario y demás. El libro está bien, pero al poco descubrí que habían sacado una edición de tamaño bolsillo, que reúne los cuatro tomos. Así que si estás pensando en tenerlos todos, te recomiendo que vayas directo al pack.

Mr Gwynne is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This third book in the series is the best so far. I hope the next book in the series is not that far of. Mr Gwynne is one of the best fantasy authors around at the moment and would recommend this series to avid fantasy readers.

One of the most demoralising stories I have read. The 'good guys' seem to be consistently and continuously beaten, bashed and slowly killed off bit by bit. Death by a thousand cuts. They rarely if ever seem to get a win. Do not get attached to any of the characters.That said, I'm still reading. Only to see if the antagonists in the story finally get what they deserve. So, as far as dragging the reader into the story, well done, I'm hooked. Its gritty, dirty and delves into the nasty side of human nature. This is no black and white fantasy tale where 'evil' is put back in its place, so far. It is refreshing however to not be drowned in pitiful idealism like some writers have a habit of doing.I can't say I've truly enjoyed it as much as some others, I prefer my books to be an escape from the harsh and cruel aspects of life, so I haven't appreciated constantly being crushed when another favourite character is solidly beaten or killed in a painful and gruesome manner. Hoping the final book delivers and finally turns the tide, would be nice to see some of the less likable characters meet a painful end, as have many of the more amicable.

looking forward to reading the new book!the author cannot leave us this wayhope is gone, how can we survive?

Third part of a very good fantasy novel series. The same as first 2 parts, nicely written and full of action. The story, although sometimes predictable, is still interesting and keeps attention. Unfortunately there are some smaller mistakes in the story (such as number of Jehar warriors before and after battle of Murius) that prevented me from giving it 5 stars. Nevertheless, great read and I am looking forward to the 4th part!

Just when you thought book two was about as good as it was going to get......BANG.....book three launches you into the "Wow Zone". Book three has more twists in it than a well made rope. I'm off to book for!!

The story continues and we get to ex_lore our heroes and villains more deeply. Well done, Mr Gwynn, well done.

Sans surprise, The faithful and the fallen reste dans le top de ce qui se fait en fantasy épique avec ce troisième tome. Ruin continue l’aventure, offre de grands moments d’action, d’émotions et de narration. Magistral.(Retrouvez une critique complète sur le blog de l'ours inculte)

Excellent condition, was exactly as described

Great series, looking forward to the next book

Fantastic. Highly recommended!

Great read!

The books get better as the series go on.