I also need to let you know that, despite the listed publication date, the audiobook release is likely to be delayed by several weeks. Steven Brand is an in-demand actor and narrator these days so, to avoid switching to another voice, the recording sessions need to be put back to accommodate his schedule. Obviously it would be better for all formats to be published at the same time and I do apologise for this delay. However, both myself and the publisher, felt it was important to continue with Steven as the voice of the series.
In other news, the signed hardcover edition of City of Songs – Volume Three of my novella series The Seven Swords – is currently on sale at the less-than-half price of $15. Available only from the Subterranean Press website.
I don’t know how long this sale will last so act now if you don’t want to miss out on a bargain.
For today only, the US ebook edition of The Pariah – Book One of the Covenant of Steel – is a Kindle daily deal at $2.99. I’m told the price will be matched by other US ebook vendors. Find it via the follow links:
Links to other formats and UK vendors are on the book page.
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly starred review.
“The Pariah is a sharp, brutal tale and a brilliant introduction to theCovenant of Steel series. While the story itself is grim and bloody, Ryan’s prose and characterization are a beacon in the darkness. A remarkable story that I did not want to end.” – FanFiAddict.
Full details and buy links for other formats are on the book page.
And now for something completely different…
Last September I managed to carve out some time to write a non-fantasy novel that’s been hanging around my head for quite a while. It’s still early days so there’s no publication date yet, and the title may well change, but here’s the announcement on Publisher’s Marketplace to wet any interested appetites.
Watch this space for more concrete news when I have it.
The US ebook edition of The Pariah, Book One of The Covenant of Steel, is on sale at $2.99. This is a Black Friday only sale so act quickly if you don’t want to miss out.
In other sale news, Subterranean Press is currently offering the hardcover signed special editions of Songs of the Dark and City of Songs at half price.
I’m delighted to reveal the cover for The Martyr, Book Two of The Covenant of Steel.
Thanks as always to everyone at Orbit for making this happen. Illustration by Jaime Jones.
The Martyr is currently slated for release on June 28th 2022 in the US and June 30th 2022 in the UK. Here are the pre-order links so far* – the ebook hasn’t yet appeared on the UK Kindle Store. I’ll post further links when I have them.
New to this series? Check out book one, The Pariah.
*(affiliate links used for Amazon)
Book description:
The Martyr is the second novel in The Covenant of Steel, a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Times have changed for Alwyn Scribe. Once an outlaw, he’s now a spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain, whose visions of a demonic apocalypse have earned her the fanatical devotion of the faithful.
Yet Evadine’s growing fame has put her at odds with both Crown and Covenant. As trouble brews in the kingdom, both seek to exploit her position for their own ends.
Sent to the Duchy of Alundia to put down a rebellion, Alwyn must rely on old instincts to fight for his new cause. Deadly feuds and ancient secrets are laid bare as war erupts, a war that will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Albermaine and, perhaps, prevent the coming of the prophesied Second Scourge.
And finally, thanks to fellow fantasist Ben Galley for inviting me into his Fantasy Author Lounge to talk books, writing and various gubbins. Check it out on YouTube.
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly starred review.
“The Pariah is a sharp, brutal tale and a brilliant introduction to the Covenant of Steel series. While the story itself is grim and bloody, Ryan’s prose and characterization are a beacon in the darkness. A remarkable story that I did not want to end.” – FanFiAddict.
About the book:
The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
July 31st 2021 will mark ten years to the day since I first published Blood Song on the Smashwords self-publishing site. For a more detailed version of my pro-writer origin story check out my essay ‘The Long Overnight’ on the Penguin Blood Song page (scroll down to the ‘Author Essay’ bit). Suffice to say, a lot has happened since. One decade, eight (soon to be nine) published novels, a bunch of novellas, and over a million books sold later, I think it’s fair to say I owe it all to that one click of the mouse ten years ago. Funny old world.
On July 31st members of my mailing list will be given the chance to enter a draw for a rare 1st edition, signed, lined and dated US hardcover edition of Blood Song. One second-place winner will receive a signed US edition mass market paperback. Five third-place winners will receive signed Blood Song bookplates. All winners will also receive one of these snazzy Pariah bookplates provided by Orbit and signed by me.
I’m pleased to report that Publisher’s Weekly has given The Pariah – Book One of The Covenant of Steel – a starred review.
“Ryan (the Raven’s Shadow series) impresses with this fantasy trilogy opener… The author makes buy-in easy thanks to three-dimensional characters and intelligent prose that grips from the opening sentence.” – Publisher’s Weekly.
You can read the full review here – warning for mild plot spoilers for those who prefer to come to the book completely cold.
Congratulations to the winners of the signed Pariah advance review copy who have been chosen and notified today – check your spam folders to make sure you haven’t missed the notification. Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter and for the many nice comments, apologies I couldn’t respond to everyone.
Any US readers who would like a second chance can enter the Goodreads giveaway for 100 e-book review copies currently being run by Orbit US – sorry, US readers only. The giveaway ends on May 2nd. Go here to enter: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/322986-the-pariah
I’ll be running my own giveaway for signed hardcovers and paperbacks closer to the release date in August so watch out for that. Make sure you’re signed up to the mailing list to ensure you don’t miss out on a chance to win one.
The UK audiobook, narrated by Steven Brand, is now available for pre-order from audible.co.uk. No US pre-order yet, I’ll update the book page when I have one.
And finally, I’m happy (and relieved) to report that, as of two days ago, I finished the first draft of Book Two in The Covenant of Steel trilogy. There’s still some work to do on the text and the title is yet to be finalised, but it’s always a good feeling when I get to type these words:
Many thanks to Fantasy Inn for hosting the cover reveal for my new novel The Pariah – Book One in the all new The Covenant of Steel trilogy.
Cover illustration by Jaime Jones who also painted the UK cover for The Waking Fire – see more of his work at www.artpad.org. Cover design by Lauren Panepinto (@Panepinto).
About the book:
The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
The Pariah will be released by Orbit in the US on August 24th and in the UK on August 26th, 2021.
No pre-order links for the audiobook yet but watch this space. Thanks to everyone at Orbit for their hard work in making this happen and to you, Dear Reader, for patiently awaiting news of what I’m writing next.
In other news, the UK paperback edition of The Black Song – Book Two of The Raven’s Blade – releases on February 11th. I was going to do another signed book giveaway but recent, I assume, COVID-related experiences with international shipping means I’ll hold off until the US paperback comes out in June when, vaccines permitting, things will have calmed down a bit.
You can pre-order the UK Black Song paperback here:
