The King Must Fall anthology from Grimdark Magazine is now available in ebook, hardcover, paperback, and audiobook. The anthology includes an all new Raven’s Shadow novella The Book Burner’s Fall. For chronology fans, this story takes place some one hundred and twenty-five years before the events in Blood Song.
Book description:
When the mighty and cruel must be brought low, it’s the killers and the schemers who emerge from the shadows. As plans twist and change, and our protagonists are foiled and beaten, one thing remains true: no matter the cost, the king must fall.
The King Must Fall is a dark fantasy anthology featuring 19 titans of the dark and grimdark fantasy genres writing about rogues, assassins, mages, blackguards, and warriors on quests to kill their kings, rulers, captains, and leaders.
Featuring stories by Devin Madson, Luke Scull, Anna Smith Spark, Anthony Ryan, Michael R Fletcher, Jeremy Szal, Lee Murray, Daniel Polansky, Shawn Speakman, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Trudi Canavan, Alex Marshall, Anna Stephens, Justin Call, Peter Orullian, Kameron Hurley, Matthew Ward, Deborah A. Wolf, and Bradley P. Beaulieu.
In other news, the audio edition of To Blackfyre Keep – Book Four of the Seven Swords – is now available on Audible, read by the inestimable Steven Brand.
And finally, if you’ve ever wondered how authors really feel about negative reviews, Hillary Argyle of the Bookborn channel has put together another compilation of author reactions. One day, when I’m feeling brave, I may post the uncut version of my segment (but that day is not this day).
Some news I’ve been sitting on for a while now – Lone Wolf Pictures lands rights to Anthony Ryan’s fantasy book universe to produce new, major multi-volume TV drama series. Here’s the full press release from Lone Wolf Pictures:
‘London, Berlin & Los Angeles – Lone Wolf Pictures and The Whole Spiel announce an epic adventure drama series, “Queen of Fire” (working title), based on the best- selling multi-volume fantasy universe.
The powerful, live-action fantasy drama series will feature the legends, worlds and characters of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy, Raven’s Blade duology books and collections of short stories written by The New York Times and international bestsellers master storyteller Anthony Ryan.
Lone Wolf Pictures acquired exclusive rights tothe Penguin Random House published multi-volume fantasy universe with plans to adapt it into a character- driven multi-season fantasy TV series, with Stephen McDonogh, Paul Telegdy and Anthony Ryan executive producing. Key showrunner appointments are to be announced shortly.
The world of Raven’s Shadow has been on many “best of” lists, with the Blood Song, Tower Lord and Queen of Fire, each being New York Times bestsellers. The
two novels, along with Blood Song, were also international bestsellers with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide.
The story’s heart binds the enthralling journeys of five characters in a shared destiny of another world, divided into warring nations, where the politics are as cut-throat as any own real-world history.
“Queen of Fire” features Lyrna, an enslaved princess who, despite the malign manipulations of her father, rises to lead an empire in uncovering the truth of the forbidden powers of the Dark; Reva, a young woman, born to privilege, stolen fromher loving home, raised to kill and blinded by revenge; and ‘The Woman,’ as she is simply known, is a cruel, ruthless and utterly unrepentant soul in the body of a beautiful woman with an insatiable lust for power who will stop at nothing for the promise of immortality.
These series also features Vaelin, a legendary warrior, server of the faith, possessor of a gift, known as ‘the Blood Song,’ a form of precognition, guiding his sword in battle and showing him the right path – if he chooses to take it. Frentis, who grew up on the streets alone, is powerless against The Woman’s magic and forced to kill innocents and those he once served. He possesses a quest for revenge, which might see him lose the last remnants of the gentle soul he once was.
Each character is entwined in a destiny they have yet to comprehend, one which will alter the world for eternity.
They are torn by dualities: the child versus the adult they’ll become, the world of the battlefield and the world of the court, the sins of the past and the payment they extract in the present. A belief they have a destiny and a duty to fulfill it. But do they have to follow the course chosen for them? And how will the world suffer if they don’t?
“Once drawn into Ryan’s masterful storytelling, audiences will delight in the twist to the immensely satisfying non-stop action, with heretics challenging the monastic orders of faith, legendary characters and monstrous creatures in an extraordinary struggle for power spanning a world of empires,” adds Stephen McDonogh, “‘Queen of Fire’ is an unflinchingly brave story of people and empires bitterly divided, and the vital necessity of overcoming their differences to have any hope of making a better world.”
“Ryan’s beautifully crafted body of work has captured the attention of millions and we are honored to bring it to life on television,” said Telegdy. “The robust and timeless
storylines of this epic franchise provide endless possibilities to uniquely engage and captivate a global audience.”
“I am thrilled with the production’s fresh, original and expansive vision for adapting my books and stories for global screen audiences and core fans alike.” Says Ryan, “It is an exciting opportunity to collaborate closely with the creative team in bringing my universe and characters to life on screen.”
LONE WOLF PICTURES is an independent British-based production venture founded by long-standing BBC alumni and producer Stephen McDonogh (Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie, Louis Theroux’s award-winning documentary featureMy Scientology Movie, and multi-award-winning family nature feature, Earth: One Amazing Day), with an eclectic slate of high-end, immersive feature film and TV projects each with something important to say about (and to) the world, its people and the nature within.
THE WHOLE SPIEL is an entertainment startup founded by Paul Telegdy and Stefan Telegdy, focused on creative and commercial development in film, television, gaming and music. With offices in Los Angeles, London and Berlin provides creative and strategic support for a diverse range of clients across the media and technology sectors.
In addition to “Queen of Fire,” Lone Wolf Pictures and The Whole Spiel, along with Infinity Hill, recently announced the new Falkland-Malvinas 10-episode war drama series, “The Islands.”’
This is obviously great news but I should stress that there’s a lot of road between now and the series making it to screen. I’ll post updates when I get them and, to answer an oft-asked question, please direct any casting enquiries to Lone Wolf Pictures.
(cover illustration by Didier Graffet)
In other news, I’ll be running a quickie giveaway on my mailing list for three advance reader copies of To Blackfyre Keep this coming Friday, July 15th. If you’re not already signed up, join here to make sure you don’t miss out on a chance to enter.
To Blackfyre Keep is volume four in my Seven Swords novella series and will be published by Subterranean Press in September 2022. Pre-order from the Subterranean Press website.
Happy new year one and all, here’s hoping it’ll be a damn sight better than the last one. In the spirit of optimism, the UK Kindle ebook edition of The Wolf’s Call – Book One of the Raven’s Blade – will be on sale at £0.99 for the whole of January.
‘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 Fire were 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.’
The US ebook edition of Tower Lord – Book Two of the Raven’s Shadow Trilogy – is now on sale at $1.99. The sale will run until October 19th. Book details and sample chapter on the book page.
In other news, the ebook edition of The Martyr – Book Two of the Covenant of Steel – is now available for pre-order on the UK Kindle Store: Amazon.co.uk
The US ebook edition of Queen of Fire – Book Three of the Raven’s Shadow Trilogy – is now on sale at $1.99. The sale will run until October 19th. Book details and sample chapter on the book page.
Thanks to everyone who entered the City of Songs signed hardcover giveaway. The winners have now been chosen and notified. Check your spam folder to make sure you haven’t missed out on a prize. The signed numbered hardcover can still be purchased from Subterranean Press while stocks last. Check out the book page for more info.
City of Songs hardcovers are here. I’ll be running an exclusive mailing list giveaway for signed copies on September 30th to coincide with the release of the e-book and audiobook. To make sure you don’t miss out on a chance to win, sign up for the mailing list.
City of Songs is the third volume in my novella series The Seven Swords. You can buy the special signed and numbered edition hardcover exclusively from the Subterranean Press website.
Good news for UK audiophiles, the audiobook edition of The Black Song, Book Two of The Raven’s Blade continuing the adventures of Vaelin Al Sorna, is currently part of Audible UK’s two for one sale. Go to audible.co.ukto buy – sale ends on October 2nd.
There are a lot of great on-sale books to buy along with The Black Song, but my personal recommendation is The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman – see my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1095151043
The Pariah – Book One of The Covenant of Steel – will be released next week. To celebrate I’m running a signed books giveaway for my mailing list subscribers. If you’re not already a subscriber please sign up here by midnight GMT on August 23rd to have a chance of winning.
Prizes as follows:
Three first-place winners will receive a signed, lined and date UK hardcover edition of The Pariah.
Four second-place winners will receive a signed, lined and date US paperback edition of The Pariah.
Five third-place winners will receive a signed bookplate for The Pariah.
The giveaway is open to all subscribers, not just those in the UK and US. Winners will be randomly chosen and notified on August 24th.
For the benefit of ebook readers and audiobook listeners The Map Room has now been updated with the map from The Pariah.
Anyone who would like a second chance can also enter the giveaway being run by my publisher Orbit. In addition to a signed book, the lucky winner will also receive an exclusive print of the cover illustration by Jaime Jones (https://www.artpad.org). No purchase necessary.
I’ll be having a video confab with RJ Barker, author of the excellent maritime fantasy The Bone Ships, on August 24th. To sign up for the event and pose questions please go here.
And finally, Das Schwarze Lied – the German edition of The Black Song – will be released on August 21st. Thanks to my German publisher Hobbit Presse and translator Sara Riffel for making this happen. Thanks also to Federico Musetti for yet another spectacular cover illustration – check out more of his work on Artstation. More details on the Hobbit Presse website.
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 delighted to report that City of Songs – Volume Three in my Seven Swords novella series – has received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.
‘Ryan ingeniously combines magic and mystery in his outstanding third Seven Swords fantasy.’
Read the full review here (some mild spoiler warnings for those who prefer to come to it completely cold).
City of Songs will be released in special edition signed hardcover and ebook from Subterranean Press in September. Hopefully, the audiobook edition will appear shortly after. To answer an oft-asked question, there won’t be a pre-order page for the ebook, however, I’ll be sure to announce the release and provide the relevant where-to-buy links when they become available.
Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the Kickstarter for Grimdark Magazine’s anthology The King Must Fall. Thanks (I like to think) to you, the anthology – which includes an all new Raven’s Shadow novella – has now reached its funding goal. A number of really great stretch goals remain with 8 days left to run. So, if you haven’t already become a supporter, please consider doing so now.
Thanks to those nice people at Orbit for providing this nifty video to remind everyone that my next full-length novel, The Pariah – Book One of the Covenant of Steel – will be released in two months time.
Grimdark Magazine (purely coincidentally) were kind enough to review the book last week and seemed to like it a lot:
‘The Pariah is Anthony Ryan at his best. A fast-paced, brutal fantasy novel with larger than life characters and a plot full of intrigue and suspense. With bloody twists and turns aplenty, this novel is destined to become a favourite of the grimdark community.’
Draconis Memoria RPG update – work continues on this project despite some dreadful pandemic related issues for the publisher. I still don’t have a start date for the Kickstarter but you can now register your interest here to make sure you don’t miss it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hirukoa/draconis-memoria-rpg
And finally, it will be Blood Song’s tenth birthday on July 31st, which marks the day when I first self-published the book on Smashwords (whereupon it sold a massive five copies before I put it on the Kindle store in January 2012, but that’s a different story). Watch out for a book birthday related giveaway towards the end of the month. Please note – you’ll need to be signed up to my mailing list to have a chance of winning.
