Alwyn Scribe started out small, in the best tradition of the baker boy hero from the 80s’. He was born in a whorehouse and raised as an orphan by a band of outlaws in the forests of the kingdom of Albermaine. After a stint as a convict in the slave mines, where he learned to write, Alwyn is joining the Covenant Company, a mercenary unit raised by a controversial figure in the kingdom. Lady Evangeline Courlain, also known as the Anointed Lady, is an ardent believer in the Second Scourge and an inspirational speaker, a sort of prophet for the Second Apocalypse that in this setting will pit the Seraphile against the Malecite [some sort of angels that interfere in the affairs of mortals]. The Anointed Lady has assigned herself as the kingdom’s champion, but until the time of the Second Scourge she takes the newly formed company to fight in the Albermaine’s ongoing civil war. That means that Alwyn's gift for gab didn't render you blind to his shortcomings nor made t(his) story a heroic one.

The Traitor is the third and final book in Anthony Ryan’s medieval-style Covenant of Steel fantasy series. For those who like muddy clashes between huge armies with swords and horses or sieges of walled cities or misguided prophecies, it would be best to start with volume one of this series The Pariah. While there is a handy recap of the events of the previous book, this is absolutely the third book of a trilogy and not a place to start. Given that, there will necessarily be some mild spoilers for those earlier novels in this review. I really enjoyed the story, it was too touchable, felt alive. I liked most characters, sorry but not Evadine. Evadine Courlain, the Risen Martyr- in her divine-spirited wisdom- decided that she is to become the Ascendant Queen, the new ruler of Albermaine. The only thing standing in her way is Princess Regent Lorraine, who rules in stead of her underage son, Alfric and his infant betrothed Lady Ducinda Cohlsair. And Alwyn, Evadine's Spymaster, most trusted adviser and now, her lover, would use all of his skills to deliver her the throne whether it's fighting, strategizing or negotiating for support with Albermaine Lords. There’s a handy summary of the events from the first book, plus a character list to help refresh the reader’s memory.But not many know the truth: that the lines of drakes are weakening. If they fail, war with the neighboring Corvantine Empire will follow swiftly. The Syndicate’s last hope resides in whispers of the existence of another breed of drake, far more powerful than the rest, and the few who have been chosen by fate to seek it. Would there be any point to it, if I did?” I asked her. “For I fancy hating you would be like hating the rain or the wind. You simply are.” Internationally bestselling fantasy author Anthony Ryan – writing as A. J. Ryan – delivers a nerve-shredding thriller in which seven strangers must undertake a terrifying journey into the unknown.

What would it be like if David Gemmell wrote Crime and Punishment on a dark realism theme?! I may have an Idea! With thoughtful characterization and an innovative variation on a familiar theme, this impressive horror tale wows.” — Publishers Weekly Starred Review knowing I should feel guilty, but didn’t. To face what lay ahead I would need all my friends. The guilt came later, and the weight of it still brings me low so many years on.”The New York Times bestselling Raven’s Shadow Trilogy was a perfect read for “fans of broadscale epic fantasy along the lines of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels.”* Now, Anthony Ryan begins a new saga, The Draconis Memoria… The Traitor – the third and final book in The Covenant of Steel trilogy – is released today in the US, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Cover illustration by Jaime Jones ( www.artpad.org). Cover design by Lauren Panepinto (@Panepinto). I read this book's first installment, The Pariah eagerly and really did enjoy it however I don't think I got quite swept up in the character and world as much as I wanted. The Pariah had just so much plot driven developments that it was hard for met to keep up and to understand why the developments mattered. I enjoyed the main character but he really just seemed along for the ride. Now after reading The Martyr do I understand what Ryan is doing. The entire first book was all set up for the developments that occur in this second book and wow I can say that it was all worth it. There is not middle book syndrome going on here. The Martyr is a major achievement in not only character development but in fleshing out the arcane lore that binds this entire story and world together. You mix that lore with amazing first person prose and Ryan's abilities at wordcraft, and you've got a compelling and fresh fantasy tale on your hands. And then it was... How the hell did this guy who is thrown in the Pits become such an important Scribe his vocation literally became his last name?!

My worst crime has always been my most long-lived lie, revealed only unto you, cherished reader, for I know your judgement will be fair."Although this is a fantasy series, magic does not really take centre stage. In the first book, there was a mere glimpse of magic, but it begins to play a slightly larger part in this second book.

A man awakes on a boat at sea with no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. He’s not alone – there are six others. None of them can remember their names, but all bear the scars of recent surgery. The last tale of Alwyn Scribe is now beyond vengeance, many are not here anymore to see what he's going to do, at heart, he is still an outlaw and, among outlaws, betrayal has but one punishment. Yet Evadine is not the woman Alwyn once knew. As puritanical fury increasingly replaces her benevolent faith, Alwyn begins to question what her true motives really are. As the kingdom braces itself for one final battle, Alwyn’s conscience fights its own war with his heart. Now, more than ever, he must decide whose side he’s really on.I'm a big fan of Anthony Ryan. His Blood Song is one of my favorite fantasy books of all times. I think Ryan has accomplished something special with this series, Covenant of Steel because he's not only told an engaging fantasy epic but I think has really carved out a new style of writing for himself. This series started out okay for me. The Pariah wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't disappointed but I found that the pacing was slow and the lore was very obscure and seemed almost inconsequential. It was after I finished The Martyr that I realized the first installment was carefully detailed set up. Everything matters including every character. After I finished The Martyr I was hooked on this series and read The Traitor immediately upon its release and I was not disappointed.