Anthony Ryan (1) (1970–)

This book broke my heart. And that's okay. Every once in awhile you come across a story that you really aren't sure will end with a satisfying affirmation that all will be--eventually--right with the world. It's the mark of a great story teller to keep you invested in a tale even though you're not certain how it will end; that the hero might not survive. That good people might have died in vain. That sometimes the ends might not justify the means, and it doesn't matter because both just show more suck.

It's depressing at times, but it's good storytelling. It's compelling narrative. And it's the mark of a ballsy writer. I can respect that.

There were some grammatical and editing issues that were rather jarring and broke up the pace for me, but overall I could easily overlook these because everything else about this book was SO good. The pacing of the plot in particular was brilliant and every intricacy was eventually addressed, every question answered--even small things I didn't expect would be important later. I loved this story. I loved the characters. I loved the ending. This book completely knocked my socks off and I can't wait for the next one. show less

In the dedication to The Traitor, Anthony Ryan credits David Gemmel with imparting the lesson that the hero's journey is always more tragedy than triumph. Anthony Ryan has learned that well and the journey that Alwyn Scribe takes not only in this book but across this series is testament to that fact. Alwyn has risen from bastard outlaw to knight and trusted advisor to Lady Evadine Courlain, the risen martyr. He has played no small part in leading thousands to her cause and offering show more stratagems that have led to her success.
Alwyn has never been a fanatic but he has believed in Evadine. Now, though, he begins to question her motives and her cause. A kingdom weary of war prepares itself for one more battle and Alwyn's head and his heart are also at war. It's time to decide whose side he's really on.

I love complicated heroes and Alwyn Scribe is one of the best. He is clever and calculating and has become skilled in battle. His strength is in knowing his limitations and coming up with a plan that accounts for them. As the novel suggests, his relating of this tale paints him in a favorable light. Still, he is all too aware of the death and tragedy he has left in his wake.

As Evadine's puritanical zeal grows and her benevolence fades, Alwyn realizes that she is not the same woman he once admired, even if he still loves her. He further realizes that if evil is to be stopped, he will have to rally the forces to stop it, and he remains uncertain if he will be able to do what it takes, especially in a confrontation with Evadine.

The Traitor works because its skillfully plotted course of events leads through incredible battles on a path that brings both sides to an inevitable fight whose outcome remains uncertain until the very end. The fact that Ryan is able to make you care so much for all of the characters lends impact to the peril they find themselves in. Because Alwyn's tale is more tragedy than triumph, the air of anticipation mixes with apprehension as the two sides approach the final battle. The world created here feels real and the peoples that inhabit it work from all too recognizable motivations. Ryan delivers on the promise created in the first two books of this series with a conclusion that will satisfy fans of epic fantasy.

This is one of the best books of the year and one of the best series of the last ten.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. show less

Break out all the superlatives because The Pariah by Anthony Ryan is one of the best books of the year and an amazing beginning to a new fantasy series. Alwyn Scribe is the best character I’ve come across since Nona Grey in Mark Lawrence's Red Sister.
Alwyn Scribe was cast into the forest as a boy and raised by outlaws. Alwyn’s quick wit and sharp knife see him grow into a trusted member of the gang and skilled spy for the infamous outlaw Deckin Scarl. The Kingdom of Albermaine is in show more turmoil with a pretender to the throne dividing the Kingdom. An unexpected betrayal soon casts Alwyn’s life further off-kilter and sets him on a course of vengeance. His skills and education are sharpened by his trials and ultimately lead him to a soldier’s life under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain. All the while Alywn’s path is shaped by his pursuit of vengeance.

The narrative employed by Ryan tells you from the very beginning that Alwyn will rise to become much more powerful and deadly than the poor thief we meet in the beginning. This creates an undercurrent of anticipation and excitement throughout the whole story. While Alwyn is the focal point of the story, every single character is fully formed and compelling. Everyone has secrets and there is more to them than meets the eye. Nothing can be dismissed as it may have great importance later on.

The world-building is lush and draws you in from the opening page. You are immersed in this grim world as Ryan draws every sight and sound. Ryan makes you eagerly follow Alwyn with a fast-paced story full of unexpected turns. Battles, betrayals, vengeance, and some mysticism propel you along. This is intelligent fantasy with a cast full of compelling characters that will have you invested and eager to turn the next page.

The Pariah is an example of the best that epic fantasy can offer and I doubt you’ll read a better book all year. What an opening for The Covenant of Steel series! Put this book at the top of your list. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. show less

This was the first doorstopper Fantasy I’ve read in a good long while. And it was a good pick to re-introduce myself to the genre as well. It was action-packed from start to finish. It also benefitted from having interesting and engaging main characters, all of whose stories were fun to read. One of the problems that sometimes arises with doorstopper fantasies that have a big cast of characters, is that certain plot threads are not very interesting and some POV characters don’t hold your show more interest so that when you come around to a chapter with their story you feel a sense of impatience, wanting to writing to get back to a narrative thread that is more interesting or a character who care about. That isn’t the case here. I cared for all the POV characters and I found all their narrative threads exciting to read.

But what about the story itself. It draws heavily upon its influences and there are many of them. It is a story full of exploration of savage lands, or magic and dragons, of battle upon the high seas, and of deadly spies and spy-craft. Imagine a well-crafted mash-up of old boys’ tales such as H. Ridder Haggard’s King Soloman’s Mines and She; of nautical tales such as Patrick O’Brien, some James Bond, all mixed in a steampunk fantastical milieu with dragons. It is a testament to the author’s craft that all these elements work well together to create an action-packed first installment of the Draconis Memoria trilogy. show less