Anthony Ryan (1) (1970–)

There are a few things I love to read about in fantasy but I rarely get. First is fantasy set outside the usual medieval timeline. This is being remedied recently by the gunpowder fantasy books by authors like Django Wexler. Secondly I like fantasy focussing on naval themes, naval voyages and naval warfare. This is very rare and hard to find. Thirdly I like exploration themed fantasy with exploring unknown uncharted areas and making new discoveries. This too is not very prominent in popular show more fantasy books.

So imagine my pleasure and surprise at discovering a book that has all three of these elements! Its set quite forward in time, a rough analogue being late 19th century Europe. Only Sanderson's second Mistborn series has been set in a time like that. (I am excluding steampunk from this categorisation)Plus, this book has dragons. I am a huge dragon fan. And the name of this series is very cool. Draconis Memoria. Safe to say I was hooked from beginning.

Now the world is fairly simple in terms of political alignments - there are two very large continental masses - one ruled by an old-fashioned empire another by a corporate state. But the really important continent - the site of the story is a smaller one to the south. This mostly unexplored wilderness contains drakes - not-quite-dragons. These are immensely valuable because of their blood. Their blood known as the Product is poisonous and corrosive to all except a very few, who are the Blood Blessed. Blood Blessed can temporarily gain powers by drinking Product - powers which are crucial in political and economic struggle. Naturally Drake blood and its control is the principal focus of the competing states.

Mark Lawrence stated in his review that this is an idea and story focussed book and I agree. The world-building is excellent. What is shown is described and built up in great detail. There are also tantalizing hints about entire vistas of world builing that may yet be revealed. The story itself is a slow burn. The book is a long one and its takes its time going through the personal journeys of the three PoV characters. At least two of these PoVs are very enjoyable. The third one is less so, probably due to comparatively lesser storytime which is a pity. I hope this will be remedied in later books.

But the best part of the book is the storytelling. I found the slowburn style to work very well. It allowed the author to work in plot points and develop them gradually. But what is really enjoyable and what grabbed me is the escalation of the story. The last part of this book is increasingly breathless as certain root assumptions are questioned

Overall its an epic story and the further implications of it left my head spinning. The second book can't come soon enough 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

"A Tide of Black Steel" by Anthony Ryan is a fantastically written, 5-star fantasy read! This novel serves as a great start to the Age of Wrath series, pulling readers into the realm of Ascarlia through chapters told from four characters' points of view. The story centers on a cast of Nordic-inspired characters and leans heavily into themes of sea combat.

Due to the in depth world building it took me a few chapters to fully immerse myself in the setting, the payoff was worth it. The plot is show more packed with battles and just the right amount of deception and suspense to keep you invested. This is my first book by Anthony Ryan, so I can't compare it to his other works, but you don’t need to have read his other novels to enjoy this one. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in this trilogy.

Thanks to Orbit Books, Anthony Ryan, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review. show less