Review of Valor (The Faithful and the Fallen, Book 2) by John Gwynne

Introduction

Valor, the second book in The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne, is an exhilarating continuation of the epic fantasy saga that began with Malice. Published in 2014, this novel elevates the stakes, expands the world, and deepens character development, all while maintaining the gripping storytelling and intense battles that made the first book so compelling. With its themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, Valor firmly establishes Gwynne as a master of modern epic fantasy, drawing comparisons to authors like George R.R. Martin and David Gemmell.

《勇武》（Valor，《忠誠與殞落》系列第二部）書評

導言

《勇武》（Valor）是約翰·葛溫（John Gwynne）《忠誠與殞落》（The Faithful and the Fallen）系列的第二部作品，延續了《惡意》（Malice）的史詩奇幻冒險。該書於2014年出版，進一步提升了故事的緊張感，擴展了世界觀，並加深了角色的發展。在戰爭愈演愈烈、忠誠與背叛交織的背景下，本書的敘事更顯扣人心弦，確立了葛溫作為現代奇幻文學巨匠的地位，與喬治·R·R·馬丁（George R.R. Martin）和大衛·傑梅爾（David Gemmell）等作家齊名。

Plot Overview

Valor picks up immediately after the dramatic events of Malice. The Banished Lands are in turmoil, with war raging across the continent as the prophecy of Elyon and Asroth unfolds. Corban, once a blacksmith’s son, is now on the run, grappling with his newfound role as the prophesied Bright Star—destined to stand against the forces of darkness. Meanwhile, Queen Rhin tightens her grip on Ardan, proving to be a cunning and ruthless antagonist, while the forces of darkness under Nathair continue their conquest, believing they are on the side of righteousness.

As the novel unfolds, multiple storylines develop:

• Corban and his allies flee from the forces of Queen Rhin and Nathair, seeking sanctuary while struggling with their roles in the war to come.
• Nathair, manipulated by the treacherous Calidus, continues to believe he is the Bright Star, even as he unwittingly furthers Asroth’s agenda.
• Veradis, Nathair’s loyal first-sword, remains torn between his admiration for Nathair and the increasingly questionable path his king follows.
• Maquin, the warrior bent on vengeance, embarks on a brutal journey that explores themes of revenge and resilience.

Throughout Valor, Gwynne weaves together these storylines, setting the stage for even greater conflicts and revelations to come.

劇情概要

《勇武》的故事緊接著《惡意》的結尾，放逐之地（The Banished Lands）陷入全面戰亂，預言中的光明與黑暗之戰正在加速展開。科班（Corban），這位曾經的鐵匠之子，如今成為逃亡者，同時也逐漸接受自己作為「光明之星」（Bright Star）的宿命。他必須面對自己新獲得的責任，並帶領忠誠的追隨者們對抗來勢洶洶的敵人。

與此同時，其他幾條故事線也在同步發展：

• 科班與其盟友 逃離蘭皇后（Queen Rhin）與納撒爾（Nathair）的軍隊追捕，尋求庇護並試圖組織反抗勢力。
• 納撒爾，受奸詐的卡利杜斯（Calidus）操控，仍然誤以為自己才是光明之星，從而不知不覺地助長了阿斯洛斯（Asroth）的邪惡計畫。
• 維拉迪斯（Veradis），納撒爾最忠誠的劍士，開始對自己所追隨的王產生懷疑，內心陷入忠誠與道德之間的掙扎。
• 馬昆（Maquin），一位充滿復仇怒火的戰士，踏上了一條充滿殘酷與磨難的旅途，展現了堅韌與不屈的精神。

隨著劇情推進，這些角色的命運開始交織，他們的選擇將決定放逐之地的未來。

Character Development

One of Gwynne’s greatest strengths is his character work, and Valor significantly deepens the relationships and internal struggles introduced in Malice.

• Corban continues his transformation from a humble boy to a leader, though he struggles with self-doubt and the weight of expectations. His growth is organic and believable, making him one of the most compelling protagonists in modern fantasy.
• Veradis remains one of the most fascinating characters in the series. Though he is on the wrong side of history, his unwavering loyalty and honor make him deeply sympathetic. His gradual realization that he may be serving the wrong cause is a masterful slow burn.
• Maquin steals the spotlight in many of his chapters, offering a gritty and personal revenge story that contrasts with the larger, world-shaping events unfolding elsewhere. His storyline is filled with brutality, perseverance, and unexpected moments of camaraderie.
• Nathair, the supposed hero who is actually the villain, is a fantastic example of a character consumed by ambition and manipulation. His descent into darkness is subtle yet inevitable, making his storyline all the more tragic.
• Rhin, as a villain, is a standout. Cunning, ruthless, and completely in control, she proves to be one of the most formidable antagonists in the series.

With multiple POVs, Gwynne ensures that no character is one-dimensional. Each has their own motivations, doubts, and conflicts, making the novel’s events all the more impactful.

角色塑造

葛溫對角色的刻畫極具層次感，使得每位主要人物都充滿真實感與成長軌跡。

• 科班 仍然是核心人物，他的故事展現了從普通少年到領袖的成長歷程。他的自我懷疑與責任感相互衝突，使得他的轉變更加自然且令人信服。
• 維拉迪斯 的忠誠與信仰讓他成為最具悲劇色彩的角色之一。他是個真正的英雄，但卻站在錯誤的一方。隨著他的信念動搖，他的故事變得越發引人入勝。
• 馬昆 是本書中最引人注目的角色之一，他的復仇之旅充滿血腥與殘酷，卻同時展現了人性中的堅毅與求生意志。
• 納撒爾 的角色發展極具悲劇色彩。他最初懷抱高尚的理想，但卻因為野心與誤導逐漸墮落，最終成為自己曾經發誓要對抗的邪惡勢力的一部分。
• 蘭皇后 是本書最令人膽寒的反派之一，她的聰明與無情使她成為令人畏懼的對手，甚至比納撒爾更具威脅性。

葛溫的角色塑造手法使得即使是站在敵對陣營的角色，也能讓讀者產生共鳴。他們不只是單純的英雄與惡棍，而是有血有肉、有信仰與掙扎的複雜個體。

World-Building & Setting

Gwynne expands the world of the Banished Lands significantly in Valor, introducing new locations, cultures, and conflicts that add layers to an already richly detailed setting. From war-torn battlefields to hidden refuges, the novel brings the world to life with a grounded realism that enhances the stakes of the unfolding war.

The use of prophecy and mythology continues to play a crucial role, but Gwynne avoids making it feel predictable or cliché. Instead, he subverts expectations, showing how belief in prophecy can be manipulated by those in power. This adds an element of uncertainty to the narrative, keeping the reader engaged.

The inclusion of animal companions, such as Storm (Corban’s loyal wolven), adds emotional depth and a sense of camaraderie to the story. These creatures are not just symbolic—they play an active role in battles and character relationships, making them an integral part of the world.

世界觀與設定

在《勇武》中，放逐之地的世界觀進一步擴展，戰亂與陰謀四起，新的地點與文化被引入，讓整個世界更加豐富且充滿歷史感。

本書對「預言」與「命運」的描寫極具層次感。預言的作用並非單純的宿命論，而是成為權力者操縱人心的工具，顛覆了許多傳統奇幻小說中「預言指引正義」的公式，增加了故事的不確定性與驚喜感。

此外，小說中的動物夥伴，如科班的巨狼「風暴」（Storm），不僅僅是陪襯，而是具有獨特個性，並在戰鬥與劇情發展中扮演重要角色，這為故事增添了更多情感共鳴。

Action & Pacing

If Malice was a slow burn that meticulously set up the pieces, Valor is where the war fully ignites. The battles are visceral, intense, and strategically compelling. Gwynne’s combat scenes are some of the best in modern fantasy—gritty, realistic, and emotionally charged. Whether it’s large-scale warfare or one-on-one duels, every fight feels weighty and consequential.

The pacing is faster than Malice, with fewer slow moments and more action-driven storytelling. Each chapter builds momentum, making the novel hard to put down. The stakes are constantly raised, and Gwynne is unafraid to put his characters through hell, ensuring that the reader never feels complacent.

戰鬥與節奏

如果說《惡意》的節奏較為緩慢，注重鋪陳與角色塑造，那麼《勇武》則是全面爆發的戰爭之書。書中充滿了緊張刺激的戰鬥場面，從小規模的伏擊戰到大規模的軍隊衝突，每一場戰役都充滿血腥與現實感。

葛溫對戰鬥的描寫極為生動，他並未美化戰爭，而是呈現出其殘酷與混亂。無論是單挑、伏擊還是全面戰役，每場戰鬥都令人屏息凝神，毫無冗長拖沓之感。

整體而言，本書的節奏比《惡意》更加緊湊，每個章節都充滿張力，使讀者欲罷不能。

Themes & Symbolism

1. Loyalty vs. Betrayal – Nearly every character in Valor grapples with issues of trust and deception, from Veradis’ blind loyalty to Nathair to Maquin’s personal vendetta.
2. The Nature of Prophecy – The novel explores how prophecy can be both a guiding light and a tool for manipulation, raising questions about fate versus free will.
3. The Cost of War – Gwynne does not romanticize war. Every battle has consequences, and death is permanent. The emotional toll on the characters is palpable.
4. Coming of Age – Corban’s journey is at the heart of the series, showing his growth from a boy into a leader. His struggles with doubt and responsibility make his arc incredibly relatable.

主題與象徵意義

1. 忠誠與背叛 —— 幾乎所有角色都在忠誠與懷疑之間徘徊，這種張力成為故事的核心動力之一。
2. 預言的力量 —— 預言既是希望，也是操縱人心的工具，反映了權力與信仰如何塑造世界。
3. 戰爭的代價 —— 本書毫不掩飾戰爭的殘酷與無情，每場戰役都帶來不可逆的損失。
4. 英雄的成長 —— 科班的成長之旅展示了英雄不僅僅是力量的化身，更是承擔責任與犧牲的象徵。

Writing Style

Gwynne’s prose is straightforward yet evocative, balancing description with action seamlessly. His ability to convey emotion through combat, dialogue, and introspection gives Valor an emotional weight that resonates deeply. Unlike some fantasy authors who rely on overly ornate language, Gwynne keeps his writing accessible while still being immersive.

寫作風格

葛溫的文筆直白且富有感染力，能夠將描述與動作完美融合。他擅長透過戰鬥、對話和內心描寫來傳達情感，使《勇武》具有強烈的情感共鳴。與某些奇幻作家過於華麗繁複的語言風格不同，葛溫的寫作既易於理解，又能讓讀者完全沉浸其中。

Final Thoughts

Valor is an outstanding sequel that builds upon everything Malice established and raises the stakes in every way. With its unforgettable characters, intense battles, and deeply woven themes, it cements The Faithful and the Fallen as one of the best modern fantasy series.

For fans of epic fantasy looking for a story filled with heart, honor, and brutal warfare, Valor delivers in spades. It is a book that does not just tell a story—it makes you feel every triumph and tragedy alongside its characters.

總結

《勇武》是一部出色的續作，在《惡意》奠定的基礎上更進一步，全面提升了故事的緊張感與衝突。憑藉其令人難忘的角色、激烈的戰鬥和深刻的主題，它成功確立了《忠誠與殞落》作為現代奇幻文學中最優秀的系列之一。

對於熱愛史詩奇幻的讀者而言，如果你正在尋找一個充滿熱血、榮耀與殘酷戰爭的故事，那麼《勇武》絕對不會讓你失望。這本書不僅僅是在講述一個故事——它讓你與角色一同經歷每一次勝利與悲劇，深切感受其中的情感震撼。

Rating: 5/5
Pros:
Deep and compelling character arcs
Intense, realistic battle scenes
Rich world-building with a sense of history
Fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling
Emotional depth and moral complexity

Cons:
Some character perspectives might feel slower in comparison to the main plot
The large cast may be overwhelming for some readers

Overall, Valor is a masterfully written novel that improves upon its predecessor in every way. John Gwynne continues to prove that he is a powerhouse in the fantasy genre, and with the way Valor ends, readers will be eager to dive into Ruin, the next installment in this epic saga.

評分：5/5
優點：
角色成長自然且充滿情感深度
戰鬥場面精彩且現實感十足
世界觀更加豐富，劇情充滿張力
主題探討深入，耐人尋味

缺點：
部分角色的劇情可能比主線發展稍慢
大量角色與勢力可能讓部分讀者感到複雜

總的來說，《勇武》是一部精湛之作，在各方面都超越了前作。約翰·葛溫再次證明了自己是奇幻文學界的中堅力量。而隨著《勇武》的結局展開，讀者定會迫不及待地想要投入這部史詩傳奇的下一部作品——《毀滅》。