As it’s already filtered out in certain places, I can reveal that the title of the second and final book in The Raven’s Blade duology is… (sharp intake of baited breath, drum roll, suspense stretched thinner than a prime minister’s credibility etc):
THE BLACK SONG
No cover or description yet but watch this space. It looks like the US pre-order page hasn’t gone up yet but UK readers can pre-order the ebook and hardcover here: Amazon.co.uk – Waterstones
Other formats and territories to follow when I have them.
The Black Song is scheduled for release on July 2nd, 2020. This date may vary by a few days but rest assured I’ve already delivered the book to my publishers and it will be coming out next year.
In the meantime, anyone who’s not yet caught up on the further adventures of Vaelin Al Sorna should grab a copy of The Wolf’s Call, Book 1 of The Raven’s Blade.
My all-new novella, A Pilgrimage of Swords, is released today by Subterranean Press. Most of the special edition hardcovers have already sold out but I’m told there are a few left if anyone wants to head over to the Subterranean Press site to snag one.
It is two hundred years since the deity known as the Absolved went mad and destroyed the Kingdom of Alnachim, transforming it into the Execration, a blasted wasteland filled with nameless terrors. For decades, desperate souls have made pilgrimage to the centre of this cursed land to seek the Mad God’s favour, their fate always unknown.
Now a veteran warrior known only as Pilgrim, armed with a fabled blade inhabited by the soul of a taunting demon, must join with six others to make the last journey to the heart of the Execration. Allied with a youthful priest, a beast-charmer, a duplicitous scholar, an effete actor and two exiled lovers, Pilgrim must survive madness, malevolent spirits, unnatural monsters and the ever-present risk of treachery, all so that the Mad God might hear his prayer and, perhaps, grant redemption. But can sins such as his ever be forgiven?
Set in a world where demons and gods walk the earth, A Pilgrimage of Swords is a dark and exciting fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Raven’s Shadow and Draconis Memoria trilogies.
‘Fans of quick, descriptive tales built around shadowy figures with murky motives will enjoy this quest-based story and come away craving more.’ – Starred review in Publishers Weekly.
‘This grim succinct tale should find an eager audience amongst fans of sword-and-sorcery fare.’ – Library Journal.
‘A Pilgrimage of Swords is an engrossing adventure for anyone who likes a story with a great atmosphere and imagination. It is short, sweet, and will leave you wanting a lot more.’ – The Quill to Live.
‘A Pilgrimage of Swords may be a short, quick read, but for what it lacks in pages and words, it makes up for in fantastic storytelling.’ – FanFiAddict.
Thanks to my editor Yanni Kuznia and everyone at Subterranean for the efforts in bringing this to fruition. Thanks also to the always excellent Didier Graffet for his spectacular cover illustration. You can view more of Didier’s work here: https://www.alanlynchartists.com/didier-graffet
The winners of the signed hardcover mailing list giveaway have now been chosen and notified. Check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize. Join the mailing list so you don’t miss out on future giveaways.
A Pilgrimage of Swords is the first in a series of novellas The Seven Swords. The second volume, The Kraken’s Tooth, will be published by Subterranean Press next year.
My all-new novella, A Pilgrimage of Swords, will be released on September 30th by Subterranean Press. This is the first a series of stories entitled The Seven Swords. The second volume, The Kraken’s Tooth, will be published next year. Full details and description are on the book page.
Subterranean tell me they only have 50 copies of the limited edition hardcover left so hurry on over to their website to order to make sure you don’t miss out. Anyone who orders direct from Subterranean or one of their approved outlets will also be entered in a draw to win a signed original hand-drawn version of the map from the book.
A Pilgrimage of Swords will also be released in e-book, price $4.99. Pre-order links are here.
I’ll also be giving away four signed copies of the limited edition hardcover to existing mailing list subscribers or anyone who joins the list between now and midnight GMT 29th September. Go here to sign up. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on 30th September.
‘Anthony Ryan’s debut novel Blood Song– book one of the Raven’s Shadow series – took the fantasy world by storm. The sequels, Tower Lordand Queen of Firewere both New York Times bestsellers. Now, Anthony Ryan returns to the world of this acclaimed fantasy series with The Wolf’s Call, which begins a thrilling new story of razor-sharp action and epic adventure.
PEACE NEVER LASTS
Vaelin Al Sorna is a living legend, his name known across the Realm. It was his leadership that overthrew empires, his blade that won hard-fought battles – and his sacrifice that defeated an evil more terrifying than anything the world had ever seen. He won titles aplenty, only to cast aside his earned glory for a quiet life in the Realm’s northern reaches.
Yet whispers have come from across the sea – rumours of an army called the Steel Horde, led by a man who believes himself a god. Vaelin has no wish to fight another war, but when he learns that Sherin, the woman he lost long ago, has fallen into the Horde’s grasp, he resolves to confront this powerful new threat.
To this end, Vaelin travels to the realms of the Merchant Kings, a land ruled by honour and intrigue. There, as the drums of war thunder across kingdoms riven by conflict, Vaelin learns a terrible truth: that there are some battles that even he cannot hope to win.’
Thanks to everyone at Ace and Orbit UK for helping to bring The Wolf’s Call into the world, particularly my editors Jessica Wade and James Long, and my agent Paul Lucas for all their hard work in making this happen. Most of all, thanks to you, dear reader for allowing me to keep doing the job I love.
Thanks also to everyone who joined the mailing list recently. The winners of the giveaway have been notified. Check your spam folder to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.
Thanks once again to Will Musser (willmusser.com) for composing more music inspired by my books – this time a 10 minute piece for The Wolf’s Call. If you’re looking for a soundtrack to read to, check it out here:
Reminder – today is the last day to enter the giveaway for signed hardcovers and a hand-drawn wolf illustration. Sign up for themailing listbefore midnight GMT to have a chance of winning.
As early copies of The Wolf’s Call are starting to escape into the wild I’ve updated the Map Room to include the maps from the book:
Don’t forget, I’m running a giveaway for a hand drawn illustration and signed hardcovers of The Wolf’s Call, sign up to the Mailing List before July 21st to make sure you don’t miss out.
Thanks to my UK publisher Orbit for hosting the long chat I had with fellow fantasy author Evan Winter in which we discuss writing craft, world-building, influences and a lot more:
The Wolf’s Call – Book I of The Raven’s Blade – is released in eight days. To mark the occasion I’m holding a giveaway for existing subscribers to my mailing list and anyone who subscribes between now and midnight GMT July 21st.
1 first place winner will receive their choice of either a UK or US hardcover edition of The Wolf’s Call and a drawing of a wolf by my own fair hand (see below) signed and inscribed with your favourite quote from any of my books.
4 second place winners will receive their choice of either a UK or US hardcover edition of The Wolf’s Call.
5 third place winners will receive a UK trade paperback The Wolf’s Call.
All books will be signed, lined and dated (with a personalised dedication if requested). Winners will be chosen at random and notified on July 22nd. Be sure to check your spam folders on the 22nd to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize.
The Wolf’s Call will be released on July 23rd in ebook, audio, and hardcover in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Pre-order here:
‘Sandrunners – A Draconis Memoria Short Story’ is now available to download for free as a thank you to anyone who signs up to my mailing list.
Any readers of The Waking Fire curious as to what exactly happened during the oft-referred to Wittler Expedition, or anyone in search of an introduction to the Draconis Memoria world, should check it out. In this prequel story, newly graduated Blood-blessed Ethelynne Drystone accompanies the Sandrunners Independent Contractor Company on a dangerous mission to the Arradsian Interior, intent on finding the lair of the legendary White Drake.
In other news, the Chinese edition of Queen of Fire(Raven’s Shadow book 3) has a wonderful new cover.
The art is by Beijing based art duo Xiling who also produced the illustrations for the new Chinese editions of Blood Song and Tower Lord. You can view more of their work on their Artstation page.
For more art inspired by my work check out the cover gallery.
…’L’Empire descendres’ – released today with yet another great cover by Didier Graffet. Thanks to everyone at my French publisher Bragelonne for making it happen.
