‘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.
Many thanks to Amazon.com for choosing The Wolf’s Call as one of its science fiction and fantasy books of the month for July 2019. You can view the full list here.
It looks like Goldsboro Books has sold out of its signed and numbered hardcovers of The Wolf’s Call. Thanks to everyone who bought one and commiserations to those who missed out. I’ll be running another mailing list giveaway for both signed copies of both the UK and US editions so be sure to sign up to make sure you don’t miss out.
Some readers have requested a recap of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy to refresh their memory before diving in to Vaelin’s next adventure. There are plenty of reminders in the book to cover what has gone before but if anyone wants a detailed summary I can’t do better than the Raven’s Shadow Wiki. (Thanks to everyone who put this together).
Also, I know some of you have or intend to re-read the previous books, if so you might want to check out the reading order here to work out the best place to start.
The nice folks at Subterranean Press are running a giveaway for a hand-drawn, signed and dated version of the map from my upcoming novella A Pilgrimage of Swords. The map is the product of my own not-very-dainty hands and will be given away to one randomly chosen lucky person who pre-orders one of the hardcover editions. It looks like the signed and lettered special traycase editions have sold out but the signed edition is still available. Don’t worry if you’ve already pre-ordered as you’ll automatically be included in the draw.
A Pilgrimage of Swords – the first novella in a proposed series entitled The Seven Swords – will be released in September 2019 in hardcover and ebook (the pre-order for the ebook will appear closer to the release date). I’ll be running a mailing list giveaway for signed hardcovers prior to the release so be sure to watch out for that.
Here’s the Publishers Weekly’s Starred Review of A Pilgrimage of Swords:
“Ryan introduces a monster-riddled fantasy world with a perfectly balanced novella, including just enough backstory to create a cohesive story line and flesh out the characters… Fans of quick, descriptive tales built around shadowy figures with murky motives will enjoy this quest-based story and come away craving more (and longer) works set in this fascinating world.”
And here’s the blurb:
ENTER THE EXECRATION,
WHERE THE DAMNED AND THE DESPERATE
COME TO PRAY TO THE MAD GOD…
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.
Attention book collectors, Goldsboro Books in London are offering 250 signed, stamped and numbered copies of the UK hardcover first edition of The Wolf’s Call. Available on 1st of August but you can pre-order here:
Pre-orders for other editions are on the book page.
In other news, those nice people at Publishers Weekly have given a starred review to my upcoming novella A Pilgrimage of Swords. Read the review here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-59606-924-4
A Pilgrimage ofSwords will be released by Subterranean Press in September 2019 in special edition hardcover and ebook. Pre-order on the Subterranean Press website.
The Empire of Ashes – the third and final volume in the Draconis Memoria trilogy – is released today in the USA and Canada. Reviews and a sample chapter are on the book page.
Reminder – if you like to read to a musical accompaniment don’t forget the Draconis Symphoniacomposed by the terribly talented Will Musser. Will has also composed some music for The Wolf’s Call, so watch out for that closer to the release date.
The Empire of Ashes (Book 3 of The Draconis Memoria) is released in paperback in the US and Canada tomorrow. To celebrate I’m giving away a signed, hand-drawn map of Arradsia to mailing list subscribers. Go hereto sign up before 1 PM GMT tomorrow for a chance to win. I’ll also be giving away five signed, lined and dated paperbacks. The giveaway will be open to all mailing members worldwide. Winners will be chosen and notified on 22nd May.
I’m very pleased to reveal the cover of the UK edition of The Wolf’s Call – Book One of the Raven’s Blade. Thanks to everyone at Orbit UK for making it happen.
You can now read a sample chapter from the book here.
I’m also running a giveaway for three signed advance review copies of the book to existing subscribers to my mailing list and anyone who joins before midnight GMT on May 12th. The giveaway is open to all subscribers worldwide. Winners will be chosen and notified on May 13th. Click here to join the list.
For some more hints for what to expect in The Wolf’s Call and some general chat about writing fantasy you should check out my recent interview on the Books and Authors Fantasy Podcast. Also available on Apple Podcasts.
Thanks to those nice people at Subterranean Press I have three signed Advance Review Copies of my novella A Pilgrimage of Swords to give away to mailing list subscribers. If you’re not already a subscriber please sign up here by midnight GMT on April 20th to have a chance of winning. Winners will be chosen and notified on April 21st.
Any book reviewers/bloggers/book-tubers who would like a copy please get in touch via the contact page and I’ll ask Subterranean to send you one.
A Pilgrimage of Swords will be released in special limited edition hardcover and ebook in September 2019. Further details, excerpt and pre-order on the Subterranean Press website: https://subterraneanpress.com/pilgrimage-of-swords-3583.
