John Gwynne's 10 Essential Reads For Everyone (Exclusive)

When fantasy author John Gwynne was asked to name the books readers should make time for, his answer crossed genres and generations. He named childhood gateways, foundational fantasy, Gothic horror, historical fiction, grimdark, and science fiction. The list is personal rather than prescriptive, shaped by books that stayed with him long after he turned their final pages. Gwynne describes Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain as the books that opened the door to fantasy for him, but his recommendations also include sprawling secondary worlds, reimagined history, vampire classics, and a space opera. Here are the ten recommendations, with a starting point and a sense of what makes each worth reading. 10 The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander The Chronicles of Prydain is available to purchase now through this link Of Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain, Gwynne is emphatic, saying “I LOVE these books, and they were my gateway to fantasy.” The five-book sequence starts with The Book of Three (1964), introducing Taran, an assistant pig-keeper in Prydain, whose ordinary duties lead him into a struggle against the deathless forces threatening his homeland. Across The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, and The High King, Taran grows through mistakes, responsibilities, and hard choices. Eilonwy, the sharp-tongued princess, and a memorable supporting cast make the journey lively without undercutting its moral weight. The High King won the Newbery Medal, making this fantasy epic especially worth picking up. 9 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord of the Rings is available to purchase now through this link J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is the foundational epic on Gwynne’s list, and a natural choice for readers who want an invented world to feel ancient and lived in. The story unfolds across The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, following Frodo and his companions on a mission to destroy the One Ring. The appeal is not simply the scale of Middle-earth or the looming threat of Sauron. Tolkien gives languages, histories, songs, landscapes, and cultures a depth that extends beyond the immediate plot. Readers who enjoy Gwynne’s battles, fellowship, and detailed worldbuilding will recognize much of the epic-fantasy tradition that Tolkien helped establish. 8 Dracula by Bram Stoker Dracula is available to purchase now through this link Bram Stoker’s Dracula brings a different kind of darkness to Gwynne’s selections. First published in London in 1897, the Gothic novel begins when solicitor Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a property purchase. Harker soon discovers that his host is no ordinary nobleman, and the danger follows Dracula toward England. Stoker tells the story through journals, letters, and other documents, allowing readers to piece together the threat alongside the characters. That structure gives the novel investigative momentum, while its mix of folklore, travel, technology, and unease makes it more than a simple vampire tale. 7 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King 'Salem's Lot is available to purchase now through this link Stephen King’s 'Salem's Lot is another horror recommendation rooted in the pleasures of a genuinely unsettling reading experience. Published on October 17, 1975, the novel follows writer Ben Mears as he returns to the small Maine town where he grew up. He hopes to confront memories tied to the Marsten House, but finds a more immediate horror taking hold. As residents begin disappearing or changing, the town’s familiar routines become increasingly sinister. King builds dread by making the supernatural invade ordinary streets, homes, and relationships, rather than keeping the terror at a distance. Gwynne has said in past interviews that he developed a nostalgic love of creepy horror after reading King in his youth, and this novel is an great place to start. 6 The Boudica Series by Manda Scott The Boudica Series is available to purchase now through this link Manda Scott’s Boudica novels bring historical fiction into the mix, following the British tribal queen whose revolt challenged Roman rule. The four-book series begins with Dreaming the Eagle and continues through Dreaming the Bull, Dreaming the Hound, and Dreaming the Serpent-Spear. Scott combines political maneuvering, military conflict, and spiritual elements to reimagine a turbulent period in Britain’s past. Rather than treating Boudica as a distant legend, the novels place her within the pressures of family, tribal identity, ambition, and occupation. The scope broadens as the series progresses, moving between personal loyalties and the fate of a people confronting imperial power. Gwynne has praised the series among his contemporary favorites, and it bridges history and epic storytelling. 5 The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell The Warlord Chronicles is available to purchase now through this link Bernard Cornwell’s The Warlord Chronicles retells the Arthurian legend as a brutal struggle for survival in post-Roman Britain. The trilogy consists of The Winter King (1995), Enemy of God (1996), and Excalibur (1997), narrated by Derfel, a warrior looking back on his life beside Arthur. The opening volume begins after High King Uther’s death, with Britain divided. Cornwell’s version steps away from the polished romance often associated with Camelot. Arthur is a war leader navigating unstable alliances, rival claimants, and invading Saxons, while Merlin’s quests bring older religious traditions into the story. Gwynne calls the trilogy one of his favorite series, and its grounded battles and complicated loyalties make the recommendation easy to understand. 4 Anything by Robin Hobb The Farseer Trilogy is available to purchase now through this link Gwynne’s Robin Hobb recommendation is wonderfully open-ended, as he suggests readers try anything by the fantasy author. A strong entry point is Assassin’s Apprentice (1995), the first book in the Farseer Trilogy. It introduces Fitz, the illegitimate son of a royal prince, who grows up at court and is secretly trained in the dangerous work of an assassin. That novel opens the larger Realm of the Elderlings, a connected sequence of 16 novels told across five story arcs, including the Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies. Hobb’s strength lies in intimate characterization as much as magical lore: Fitz’s loyalties, isolation, and mistakes carry consequences across years. Readers seeking fantasy with deep character development have a substantial world to explore. 3 Sword in the Storm by David Gemmell Sword in the Storm is available to purchase now through this link David Gemmell’s Sword in the Storm begins the Rigante series and gives Gwynne a direct route into the heroic fantasy that helped shape his tastes. The novel introduces Connavar, a warrior born during a devastating storm. He grows among the Rigante, a proud mountain people whose way of life faces a violent threat from across the water. Connavar’s journey mixes prophecy, warfare, loyalty, and a magical sword forged by the ancient Seidh. Gemmell keeps the focus on a young man forced to grow into the responsibilities gathering around him, while the looming invasion gives the story a broad historical-fantasy sweep. Gwynne singles out this first Rigante novel, making it a useful starting point for newcomers. 2 The First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie The First Law Series is available to purchase now through this link Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series offers a sharp tonal turn as a fantasy full of compromised motives, cruel reversals, and humor as cutting as its violence. The original trilogy begins with The Blade Itself (2006), followed by Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings. Its main cast includes barbarian Logen Ninefingers, officer Jezal dan Luthar, and inquisitor Sand dan Glokta. Abercrombie builds tension by refusing to make heroism uncomplicated. Logen’s reputation precedes him, Jezal’s vanity collides with war, and Glokta’s investigations expose rot within the Union’s institutions. The series expands beyond its first trilogy through standalones and the later Age of Madness books, but The Blade Itself is the place to start its morally tangled world. 1 Red Rising by Pierce Brown Del Rey Red Rising is available to purchase now through this link Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series is the most overtly science-fiction recommendation on Gwynne’s list, though its scale and rival power structures also appeal to epic-fantasy readers. The 2014 opener introduces Darrow, a Red miner on Mars who believes his caste is preparing the planet for humanity. He discovers society has long been divided by a rigid color hierarchy. After that revelation, Darrow infiltrates the Gold elite through the brutal Institute, risking his life to challenge the system from within. The saga continues through Golden Son, Morning Star, Iron Gold, Dark Age, and Light Bringer, expanding from personal rebellion into conflict across the Solar System. Gwynne’s Red Rising book pick is perfect for readers who want momentum, political upheaval, and high-stakes battles.