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Covenant of Steel #2
The Martyr
Deadly feuds and ancient secrets spell war in the second novel of The Covenant of Steel, a new epic series of action, intrigue, and magic from 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.
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.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2022
About the author
Anthony Ryan
118 books10.2k followersAnthony Ryan was born in Scotland in 1970 but spent much of his adult life living and working in London. After a long career in the British Civil Service he took up writing full time after the success of his first novel Blood Song, Book One of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy. He has a degree in history, and his interests include art, science and the unending quest for the perfect pint of real ale.
For news and general wittering about stuff he likes, check out Anthony's blog at: http://anthonystuff.wordpress.com
For news and general wittering about stuff he likes, check out Anthony's blog at: http://anthonystuff.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 704 reviews
June 29, 2022
The Martyr by Anthony Ryan, Book Two of The Covenant of Steel, picks up where Book One ended.
Alwyn Scribe is still at Lady Evadine’s side as protector and adviser. Aside from her cult-like following, most, including the Crown, believe Lady Evadine and her prophetical visions of the coming of the Second Scourge to be a fraud. So, in a bid to get rid of her, King Tomas sends Lady Evadine and her company on what he believes is a hopeless mission of putting down a rebellion in the Duchy of Alundia. As war threatens to erupt, Alwyn will have to harness his skills as a soldier and, once again, don his outlaw hat.
There’s a handy summary of the events from the first book, plus a character list to help refresh the reader’s memory.
This second instalment solely follows Alwyn’s perspective. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.
Anthony Ryan excels at crafting fully fleshed characters, whether they are likeable or villainous, or somewhere in between. I missed one particular character from the first book, but maybe she’ll make a reappearance in the final instalment. Besides Alwyn, Lilat might be my second favourite character. Evadine is not a likeable character per se, but it is intriguing to read how different people react to her.
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.
I am very curious to know what the next book has in store for these characters.
I’d recommend this series if you enjoy complex historical fantasy full of gritty battle scenes and religious and political maneuverings.
Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with a copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Alwyn Scribe is still at Lady Evadine’s side as protector and adviser. Aside from her cult-like following, most, including the Crown, believe Lady Evadine and her prophetical visions of the coming of the Second Scourge to be a fraud. So, in a bid to get rid of her, King Tomas sends Lady Evadine and her company on what he believes is a hopeless mission of putting down a rebellion in the Duchy of Alundia. As war threatens to erupt, Alwyn will have to harness his skills as a soldier and, once again, don his outlaw hat.
There’s a handy summary of the events from the first book, plus a character list to help refresh the reader’s memory.
This second instalment solely follows Alwyn’s perspective. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.
Anthony Ryan excels at crafting fully fleshed characters, whether they are likeable or villainous, or somewhere in between. I missed one particular character from the first book, but maybe she’ll make a reappearance in the final instalment. Besides Alwyn, Lilat might be my second favourite character. Evadine is not a likeable character per se, but it is intriguing to read how different people react to her.
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.
I am very curious to know what the next book has in store for these characters.
I’d recommend this series if you enjoy complex historical fantasy full of gritty battle scenes and religious and political maneuverings.
Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with a copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
April 21, 2025
The
Covenant of Steel
trilogy is analog-medieval fantasy tale at its finest. Although lacking in the traditional elements I enjoy in fantasy books, it's got a very well written and highly gripping plot.
I dare say this one reads much better than the first and follows our narrator, Alwyn Scribe, with his caustic tongue and predilections for snarky comebacks as he comes into his role as a warrior and tries to define what he treasures most in life. Highly recommended.
Book I review: The Pariah
2023 Read
I dare say this one reads much better than the first and follows our narrator, Alwyn Scribe, with his caustic tongue and predilections for snarky comebacks as he comes into his role as a warrior and tries to define what he treasures most in life. Highly recommended.
Book I review: The Pariah
2023 Read
June 24, 2022
My thanks to Orbit books, Anthony Ryan and Netgalley.
When I first started this series, I absolutely hated it! I'm not sure if I've reflected that in my first review, but? There it is!
The hate didn't last long.
I loved the first book!
This second book?
Yeah, I loved it too!
There is no middle book syndrome here. Matter of fact, it was just as good as the first.
I have no idea where Alwyn goes from here, but I'm so ready for it.
When I first started this series, I absolutely hated it! I'm not sure if I've reflected that in my first review, but? There it is!
The hate didn't last long.
I loved the first book!
This second book?
Yeah, I loved it too!
There is no middle book syndrome here. Matter of fact, it was just as good as the first.
I have no idea where Alwyn goes from here, but I'm so ready for it.
April 6, 2024
I HAVE to start the next book right away!
May 24, 2023
9.5/10
"To win peace, you must first spill blood... only ever leads to more blood."
What would it be like if David Gemmell wrote Crime and Punishment on a dark realism theme?! I may have an Idea!
"I am Captain Alwyn Scribe of the Covenant Company, I have fought the worst battles, faced the worst foes. Still, it took some effort to take that first step into the dark, and only marginally less to take the second."
Alwyn Scribe was never meant to be a soldier. A thief? Yes. A scribe? Certainly. But a soldier, well, this becomes his nightmare!
"Guilt is a strange toxin, for it can fortify as well as weaken."
The good news is the second part of Alwyn’s journey is better than the first, not that I have any complaints from The Pariah, only I have nothing to say. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
If you read the first book before, so you know well that it is hard to express what's going on in the book, of course without 10 pages summary that spoils many things;
Alwyn was there, blood, then here, then death, then over there, betrayal, more death, no they alive, caged, wait, they are not, more betrayals, more blood, and on and on...
"Sometimes we do wrong to protect those we love."
I really enjoyed the story, it was too touchable, felt alive. I liked most characters, sorry but not Evadine.
I will not say the story is fast, the world-building is perfect, or the fantasy elements are unique, no, this is the testimony of Captain Alwyn Scribe of the Covenant Company, written by himself, he may have gaps, misjudged or mistaken but he was honest with us.
"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."
Where is book 3, The Traitor?
"Every land has its traitors, a truth all outlaws learn eventually."
My huge thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read The Martyr, Book Two of the Covenant of Steel by Anthony Ryan. I have given my honest review.
"To win peace, you must first spill blood... only ever leads to more blood."
What would it be like if David Gemmell wrote Crime and Punishment on a dark realism theme?! I may have an Idea!
"I am Captain Alwyn Scribe of the Covenant Company, I have fought the worst battles, faced the worst foes. Still, it took some effort to take that first step into the dark, and only marginally less to take the second."
Alwyn Scribe was never meant to be a soldier. A thief? Yes. A scribe? Certainly. But a soldier, well, this becomes his nightmare!
"Guilt is a strange toxin, for it can fortify as well as weaken."
The good news is the second part of Alwyn’s journey is better than the first, not that I have any complaints from The Pariah, only I have nothing to say. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
If you read the first book before, so you know well that it is hard to express what's going on in the book, of course without 10 pages summary that spoils many things;
Alwyn was there, blood, then here, then death, then over there, betrayal, more death, no they alive, caged, wait, they are not, more betrayals, more blood, and on and on...
"Sometimes we do wrong to protect those we love."
I really enjoyed the story, it was too touchable, felt alive. I liked most characters, sorry but not Evadine.
I will not say the story is fast, the world-building is perfect, or the fantasy elements are unique, no, this is the testimony of Captain Alwyn Scribe of the Covenant Company, written by himself, he may have gaps, misjudged or mistaken but he was honest with us.
"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."
Where is book 3, The Traitor?
"Every land has its traitors, a truth all outlaws learn eventually."
My huge thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read The Martyr, Book Two of the Covenant of Steel by Anthony Ryan. I have given my honest review.
March 15, 2025
The Martyr is book two of Covenant of Steel trilogy. Anthony Ryan continues the thrilling story set up in The Pariah and both wraps up a few plotlines and opens up a few more...
Book two continues the story of Alwyn Scribe who is no longer a theif or prisoner, but a noble captain in the Covenant Company. There is a lot of seige craft in this book which I did enjoy. First the company is sent on a mission to take a caste held by the enemy, then later on are sent out to garrison a derelict caste and defend it against the crowns enemies.
One thing I loved so much about The Pariah was Alwyns backstory and reading about him and his group of theives living in the woods. Thats all gone now, as now he is a main general fighting for The Annointed Lady. The plot seemed to drag a bit in some cases, as the same thing seemed to happen over and over. Get orders, take a castle, defend a castle etc.... There are some really good character moments, and I did esepecially like this new plotline involving the Caerith witch.
Overall, I did enjoy The Marty, if not as much as The Pariah. I do believe it suffered from a bit of middle book syndrome, but Anthony Ryan's middle book syndrome can still be better than some other authors best works. I'm very excited to read the next and final installment in The Traitor. I have every confidence that he will stick the landing and that it will be the best book of the trilogy.
Solid 4 stars for this one:)
Book two continues the story of Alwyn Scribe who is no longer a theif or prisoner, but a noble captain in the Covenant Company. There is a lot of seige craft in this book which I did enjoy. First the company is sent on a mission to take a caste held by the enemy, then later on are sent out to garrison a derelict caste and defend it against the crowns enemies.
One thing I loved so much about The Pariah was Alwyns backstory and reading about him and his group of theives living in the woods. Thats all gone now, as now he is a main general fighting for The Annointed Lady. The plot seemed to drag a bit in some cases, as the same thing seemed to happen over and over. Get orders, take a castle, defend a castle etc.... There are some really good character moments, and I did esepecially like this new plotline involving the Caerith witch.
Overall, I did enjoy The Marty, if not as much as The Pariah. I do believe it suffered from a bit of middle book syndrome, but Anthony Ryan's middle book syndrome can still be better than some other authors best works. I'm very excited to read the next and final installment in The Traitor. I have every confidence that he will stick the landing and that it will be the best book of the trilogy.
Solid 4 stars for this one:)
June 3, 2022
4,5*
When I was reading The Pariah, I noticed that each Part of the story was preluded by a quote 'from the Pretender's account to Sir Alwyn Scribe'. And I kept asking myself:
How did an outlaw who mostly has a talent for talking himself out of trouble become a knight?
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?!
And then, when he unwillingly became Evandine's infantry fodder, it was: "But, how did he come so close to the Pretender?"
That little sentence, my friends, was the driving force that made me turn the pages. There is just something arresting in knowing that main character started from less than humbling beginnings and seeing only a glimpse of how far he went. The drive, of course, lies in answering to all of my how's, but the real charm of the book is the narrative, as it comes directly from the pen of none other than the "figure of direst legend" himself.
Bare bones: The Martyr follows Alwyn through his starting years as Evadine's closest advisor. Her fame as a Risen Martyr brought her a lot of loyal followers, but it also put her into a precarious situation with the Crown and the Covenant. The Crown will not have someone being more popular even if they fight the battles in the name of King Thomas and The Covenant despises Evadine's claim to martyrdom considering her to be a fraud. As a result, she is shipped to duchy of Alundia to stop the rise of anti-Covenant sentiments. With fanatics on both side, the conflict escalates and with Alundia bordering on Caerith Wastes, Alwyn comes face to face again with unknown forces and powerful individuals.
I am first to tell you that out of all significant figures in Alwyn's life in previous novel, Evadine was the one I was most baffled with. It's pretty clear she was inspired by Joan of Arc due to religious aspect of her convictions and the fact her sanity was questioned several times in previous novel. It's not the first time Ryan brings up in his writing cult of personality theme, zealotry and devotion charismatic figure can inspire in others and dangers it brings with it. He's touched upon it in Queen of Fire and Raven's Blade duology, but in this novel he's done the best job jet. Because of the role he played in her resurrection, Alwyn is constantly surprised by the number of people Evadine's martyrdom/sainthood seems to attract and why they follow her. And because there is no Toria (shut up, I'm still dealing with it) to ask Alwyn why is he doing the same thing, you figure out the answer on your own. Evadine still remains the most detached character to me, because you can see in his own words as he describes the events, she is this, almost mythological figure and you actually realize he fell under her spell just the same despite knowing the secret behind Risen Martyr. In this way Ryan showed that Alwyn's cleverness doesn't mean he's immune.
Alwyn also steps seamlessly into the role of Evadine's personal advisor. Playing backstabbing politic and making thorny remarks suited him perfectly considering his beginnings.
He also assumes the role of military strategist and Ryan, to my delight, wrote not one, but two sieges in this novel. The one in The Wolf's Call still remains my favourite, but I love how he writes them, so I flew through fight scenes.
So, yes, we can see Alwyn is shaping into that important person of legends, but the best thing about this is that Ryan made a point of showing that as much as he appears natural, he can still be outsmarted in every aspect by those with more experience and knowledge and has a lot more to learn.
Which bring me to magic, the fantastical part of this book. I never thought Ryan is particularly great in explaining how the magic really works in the worlds he imagines. It's always this esoteric plain of existence our heroes get a glimpse of and unexplainably omnipotent individuals they barely come in touch with. Later part of the book is Alwyn learning more about mysteries of Caerith magic and Sack Witch and I thought I would like this more than battles with the Crown and Alundia, but it wasn't the case. I actually have more questions now. Final conflict was all about the magic and, on one hand, I think I actually preferred magic being in the background of the story, just something unexplainable. On the other hand I didn't enjoy the culmination scene as much because Alwyn foolishly stepped into an obvious trap and he should have known better. Yes, he addresses this after, but for me it was perhaps the most random, greatest step-away from that outlaw boy we got to meet in The Pariah and who up to that point is shaped by early part of his life.
Despite those minor complaints, I am yet to come across book by Ryan I couldn't get into and read it in a span of few days. His writing just works for me, and it was the case with The Martyr as well. It's a good sequel novel that brought some answers and opened up the world beyond the Kingdom of Albermaine and petty skirmishes between the duchies. There is a bigger fight coming and our heroes are intended to play an important role in it. I, personally, can't wait to read Alwyn telling us all about it. :)
______________________
I would like to thank Netgalley, Orbit and Anthony Ryan for an advanced copy of The Martyr. All opinions are my own.
...In which I hope to see Toria coming back as a pirate queen to kick some sense into Alvyn.
Jaime Jones is killing it with these covers.
When I was reading The Pariah, I noticed that each Part of the story was preluded by a quote 'from the Pretender's account to Sir Alwyn Scribe'. And I kept asking myself:
How did an outlaw who mostly has a talent for talking himself out of trouble become a knight?
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?!
And then, when he unwillingly became Evandine's infantry fodder, it was: "But, how did he come so close to the Pretender?"
That little sentence, my friends, was the driving force that made me turn the pages. There is just something arresting in knowing that main character started from less than humbling beginnings and seeing only a glimpse of how far he went. The drive, of course, lies in answering to all of my how's, but the real charm of the book is the narrative, as it comes directly from the pen of none other than the "figure of direst legend" himself.
Bare bones: The Martyr follows Alwyn through his starting years as Evadine's closest advisor. Her fame as a Risen Martyr brought her a lot of loyal followers, but it also put her into a precarious situation with the Crown and the Covenant. The Crown will not have someone being more popular even if they fight the battles in the name of King Thomas and The Covenant despises Evadine's claim to martyrdom considering her to be a fraud. As a result, she is shipped to duchy of Alundia to stop the rise of anti-Covenant sentiments. With fanatics on both side, the conflict escalates and with Alundia bordering on Caerith Wastes, Alwyn comes face to face again with unknown forces and powerful individuals.
I am first to tell you that out of all significant figures in Alwyn's life in previous novel, Evadine was the one I was most baffled with. It's pretty clear she was inspired by Joan of Arc due to religious aspect of her convictions and the fact her sanity was questioned several times in previous novel. It's not the first time Ryan brings up in his writing cult of personality theme, zealotry and devotion charismatic figure can inspire in others and dangers it brings with it. He's touched upon it in Queen of Fire and Raven's Blade duology, but in this novel he's done the best job jet. Because of the role he played in her resurrection, Alwyn is constantly surprised by the number of people Evadine's martyrdom/sainthood seems to attract and why they follow her. And because there is no Toria (shut up, I'm still dealing with it) to ask Alwyn why is he doing the same thing, you figure out the answer on your own. Evadine still remains the most detached character to me, because you can see in his own words as he describes the events, she is this, almost mythological figure and you actually realize he fell under her spell just the same despite knowing the secret behind Risen Martyr. In this way Ryan showed that Alwyn's cleverness doesn't mean he's immune.
Alwyn also steps seamlessly into the role of Evadine's personal advisor. Playing backstabbing politic and making thorny remarks suited him perfectly considering his beginnings.
He also assumes the role of military strategist and Ryan, to my delight, wrote not one, but two sieges in this novel. The one in The Wolf's Call still remains my favourite, but I love how he writes them, so I flew through fight scenes.
So, yes, we can see Alwyn is shaping into that important person of legends, but the best thing about this is that Ryan made a point of showing that as much as he appears natural, he can still be outsmarted in every aspect by those with more experience and knowledge and has a lot more to learn.
Which bring me to magic, the fantastical part of this book. I never thought Ryan is particularly great in explaining how the magic really works in the worlds he imagines. It's always this esoteric plain of existence our heroes get a glimpse of and unexplainably omnipotent individuals they barely come in touch with. Later part of the book is Alwyn learning more about mysteries of Caerith magic and Sack Witch and I thought I would like this more than battles with the Crown and Alundia, but it wasn't the case. I actually have more questions now. Final conflict was all about the magic and, on one hand, I think I actually preferred magic being in the background of the story, just something unexplainable. On the other hand I didn't enjoy the culmination scene as much because Alwyn foolishly stepped into an obvious trap and he should have known better. Yes, he addresses this after, but for me it was perhaps the most random, greatest step-away from that outlaw boy we got to meet in The Pariah and who up to that point is shaped by early part of his life.
Despite those minor complaints, I am yet to come across book by Ryan I couldn't get into and read it in a span of few days. His writing just works for me, and it was the case with The Martyr as well. It's a good sequel novel that brought some answers and opened up the world beyond the Kingdom of Albermaine and petty skirmishes between the duchies. There is a bigger fight coming and our heroes are intended to play an important role in it. I, personally, can't wait to read Alwyn telling us all about it. :)
______________________
I would like to thank Netgalley, Orbit and Anthony Ryan for an advanced copy of The Martyr. All opinions are my own.
...In which I hope to see Toria coming back as a pirate queen to kick some sense into Alvyn.
Jaime Jones is killing it with these covers.
October 18, 2022
An amazing second installment that blew away my expectations for this series.
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.
This book takes place almost soon after the first book with a little uncertainty about where the plot was going. But we are soon plunged into a ton of political intrigue, brinkmanship and incredible siege warfare that had me flying through the pages. The main character's development and standing in the world begin to flourish and I really started to engage with him. Evadine, a curiously enigmatic and distant character to the reader, starts to flesh out even more. This book then hops from one plot development to the next all involving either jaw-dropping warfare, Machiavellian subterfuge, politics of nobility and then delving into the arcane world which started to bring all the confusing characters and elements from the first book together. What we get at the end of this book is an absolutely amazing journey of the main character and how he is the linchpin in the entire plot.
I would say that this is Ryan's finest work since one of my favorite fantasy reads, Blood Song. I like this book way more than I was expecting and is one of my favorite reads this year. Don't hesitate to pick this series up. I will be reading the third installment upon its immediate release.
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.
This book takes place almost soon after the first book with a little uncertainty about where the plot was going. But we are soon plunged into a ton of political intrigue, brinkmanship and incredible siege warfare that had me flying through the pages. The main character's development and standing in the world begin to flourish and I really started to engage with him. Evadine, a curiously enigmatic and distant character to the reader, starts to flesh out even more. This book then hops from one plot development to the next all involving either jaw-dropping warfare, Machiavellian subterfuge, politics of nobility and then delving into the arcane world which started to bring all the confusing characters and elements from the first book together. What we get at the end of this book is an absolutely amazing journey of the main character and how he is the linchpin in the entire plot.
I would say that this is Ryan's finest work since one of my favorite fantasy reads, Blood Song. I like this book way more than I was expecting and is one of my favorite reads this year. Don't hesitate to pick this series up. I will be reading the third installment upon its immediate release.
February 15, 2024
“La Martire” è il secondo volume della trilogia “L’Alleanza d’Acciaio”, scritta da Anthony Ryan. Ho letteralmente divorato questo mattoncino di 600 pagine e non vedo l’ora di leggere la conclusione della serie.
La penna di Anthony Ryan ha raggiunto la piena maturità, è capace di rinnovarsi, dipingere scenari originali e tessere trame coinvolgenti. La storia iniziata con “Il Reietto” e proseguita con “La Martire” è una storia ricca sotto tutti i punti di vista.
Continua la splendida crescita del protagonista, Alwyn, un chiaroscuro complesso e stratificato. Ciò che colpisce maggiormente è la sua tridimensionalità sempre in movimento, pronta a cambiare a seconda delle esperienze vissute. Cinico e implacabile, è un ultimo che si è fatto strada sgomitando tra le difficoltà di una vita durissima. Eppure nel suo animo permangono amore, onore, bontà, senso di fedeltà e amicizia.
Il worldbuilding, introdotto nel precedente capitolo, viene esplorato e approfondito. Scopriamo dettagli interessanti che costituiscono il passato e il presente del mondo, e il sistema magico, correlato al credo religioso, inizia ad acquisire contorni più nitidi. Un’ambientazione variegata che presenta un palco dove si alternano colpi di scena, personaggi grigi e violenti, battaglie campali, assedi, intrighi, tradimenti, rivelazioni, lotte tra potere spirituale e temporale. Fede, fanatismo ed eresia sono elementi portanti della storia, tanto da causare valanghe di eventi che vi terranno con il fiato sospeso.
Ho apprezzato, infine, la capacità dell’autore di intersecare tra loro più sottogeneri della Narrativa Fantasy. Un ottimo connubio tra Military Fantasy, Grimdark ed Epic Fantasy capace di trascinare nel suo abbraccio. Anthony Ryan si conferma, a mio modesto parere, uno dei migliori autori Adult Fantasy contemporanei. Imperdibile!
La penna di Anthony Ryan ha raggiunto la piena maturità, è capace di rinnovarsi, dipingere scenari originali e tessere trame coinvolgenti. La storia iniziata con “Il Reietto” e proseguita con “La Martire” è una storia ricca sotto tutti i punti di vista.
Continua la splendida crescita del protagonista, Alwyn, un chiaroscuro complesso e stratificato. Ciò che colpisce maggiormente è la sua tridimensionalità sempre in movimento, pronta a cambiare a seconda delle esperienze vissute. Cinico e implacabile, è un ultimo che si è fatto strada sgomitando tra le difficoltà di una vita durissima. Eppure nel suo animo permangono amore, onore, bontà, senso di fedeltà e amicizia.
Il worldbuilding, introdotto nel precedente capitolo, viene esplorato e approfondito. Scopriamo dettagli interessanti che costituiscono il passato e il presente del mondo, e il sistema magico, correlato al credo religioso, inizia ad acquisire contorni più nitidi. Un’ambientazione variegata che presenta un palco dove si alternano colpi di scena, personaggi grigi e violenti, battaglie campali, assedi, intrighi, tradimenti, rivelazioni, lotte tra potere spirituale e temporale. Fede, fanatismo ed eresia sono elementi portanti della storia, tanto da causare valanghe di eventi che vi terranno con il fiato sospeso.
Ho apprezzato, infine, la capacità dell’autore di intersecare tra loro più sottogeneri della Narrativa Fantasy. Un ottimo connubio tra Military Fantasy, Grimdark ed Epic Fantasy capace di trascinare nel suo abbraccio. Anthony Ryan si conferma, a mio modesto parere, uno dei migliori autori Adult Fantasy contemporanei. Imperdibile!
May 31, 2023
This is the second instalment in The Covenant of Steel series.
Alwyn Scribe was an outlaw at the opening of the series. Fate has seen him both rise and fall in power, notoriety, and status since then. Now he is now a spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain. This position sees him face many new enemies and blood soaks these pages as he attempts to right the scales between Covenant and Crown, and return the lands to peace and prosperity.
This book had a battle-heavy focus and Ryan really excelled in making his scenes of action understandable and readable. I was never lost in what was occurring and this was, in part, due to the vivid depictions and, also, how both sides of any skirmish were portrayed.
The author did a spectacular job of making us understand the perspectives of both sides fighting. This felt real due to how neither was never wholly good or bad. Each individual had their own demands, their own reasons to fight how and for who they did, and as much to lose and gain as those they opposed. It felt like a fair portrayal was always granted and the reader was allowed unrestricted access to all that was occurring because of this.
I also adored how this book dually focused on current action scenes but also potential futures. This aspect became increasingly heightened due to the style of storytelling, with the future individual writing about past events. Sometimes this perspective was allowed to intrude upon the past and to indicate the differences that hindsight can make or to make something more apparent to the reader with their gained knowledge.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Anthony Ryan, and the publisher, Orbit, for this opportunity.
Alwyn Scribe was an outlaw at the opening of the series. Fate has seen him both rise and fall in power, notoriety, and status since then. Now he is now a spymaster and sworn protector of Lady Evadine Courlain. This position sees him face many new enemies and blood soaks these pages as he attempts to right the scales between Covenant and Crown, and return the lands to peace and prosperity.
This book had a battle-heavy focus and Ryan really excelled in making his scenes of action understandable and readable. I was never lost in what was occurring and this was, in part, due to the vivid depictions and, also, how both sides of any skirmish were portrayed.
The author did a spectacular job of making us understand the perspectives of both sides fighting. This felt real due to how neither was never wholly good or bad. Each individual had their own demands, their own reasons to fight how and for who they did, and as much to lose and gain as those they opposed. It felt like a fair portrayal was always granted and the reader was allowed unrestricted access to all that was occurring because of this.
I also adored how this book dually focused on current action scenes but also potential futures. This aspect became increasingly heightened due to the style of storytelling, with the future individual writing about past events. Sometimes this perspective was allowed to intrude upon the past and to indicate the differences that hindsight can make or to make something more apparent to the reader with their gained knowledge.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Anthony Ryan, and the publisher, Orbit, for this opportunity.
July 22, 2022
This sweeping and brilliant military fantasy abounds with gritty siege warfare, witty writing, and the continuation of the overall story of Alwyn Scribe. Starting where the first book ends Alwyn finds himself thrust into bigger battles and more significant stakes as the Lady Evadines company is brought to quench a rebellion in the south and stop the religious persecution and genocide occurring there.
There is no middle book lag here, this one hits the story running and is littered with battle and war for about 60% of the book. If military fantasy, tactics, siege warfare, and grim mud and blood fantasy where anyone can die brutally at any time is your thing then this book is sacrosanct. Besides this, it also has political intrigue in the form of the various religious sects and the crown vying for power over Alwyns group through manipulation, backstabbing, and scheming.
The parts of this book that aren't battle are getting to know the characters, traveling, and the advancement of a prophecy plotline that we were introduced to in book one. As well as the scheming and political stuff. It all ties together into a gripping read that I loved cover to cover. I am very excited to see how it all comes to a close.
There is no middle book lag here, this one hits the story running and is littered with battle and war for about 60% of the book. If military fantasy, tactics, siege warfare, and grim mud and blood fantasy where anyone can die brutally at any time is your thing then this book is sacrosanct. Besides this, it also has political intrigue in the form of the various religious sects and the crown vying for power over Alwyns group through manipulation, backstabbing, and scheming.
The parts of this book that aren't battle are getting to know the characters, traveling, and the advancement of a prophecy plotline that we were introduced to in book one. As well as the scheming and political stuff. It all ties together into a gripping read that I loved cover to cover. I am very excited to see how it all comes to a close.
September 1, 2024
i know it says i've read this twice but it's just one long slog that i will never do again. i feel like i'd been reading this book for 10,546 years and i'm really and truly happy that it's over. and no i did not quit because fk evadine and all the crazy she rode in on. i think Anthony Ryan is a brilliant writer and i hope i will find a series from him that hits like The Pariah for me. as it stands, the caerith gets the lone star for this installment because they were epic and i loved it when they were on page.
jun 20/23
so yeah, picked this back up again because the traitor is coming out soon and i love Alwyn sooooo here we go...again!
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oct 10/22
ugh I just can't anymore. Time of death: 37% I find everything Evadine is, AND represents, mentally agonizing. I would have liked to get to the second half, where all the positive reviewers said this story gets better, bc as someone who loved The Pariah, this is hitting me hard! But my fomo reserves have officially run out, and so has my patience. I may pick this up again, maybe when the next installment is due for release? (I don't even know if this is even a thing as I have not even finished this book, but I like to keep my hopes alive.)
jun 20/23
so yeah, picked this back up again because the traitor is coming out soon and i love Alwyn sooooo here we go...again!
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oct 10/22
ugh I just can't anymore. Time of death: 37% I find everything Evadine is, AND represents, mentally agonizing. I would have liked to get to the second half, where all the positive reviewers said this story gets better, bc as someone who loved The Pariah, this is hitting me hard! But my fomo reserves have officially run out, and so has my patience. I may pick this up again, maybe when the next installment is due for release? (I don't even know if this is even a thing as I have not even finished this book, but I like to keep my hopes alive.)
November 21, 2022
[9/10]
I have often observed that a surfeit of faith will walk hand in hand with a dearth of common sense.
The second instalment in the Alwyn Scribe series, a classic medieval type of epic fantasy with a focus on religious fervour. I loved the first episode, but I confess I approached the sequel with some trepidation. Mr. Ryan has written another excellent debut to an epic with Blood Song but that series went downhill from there rather sharply.
It seems that the author has learned his lesson, and the new series maintains my interest in the characters and in the worldbuilding much better in the case of Alwyn.
I believe the secret ingredient is the focus on a singular narrator instead of the usual multiple, rotating POV of most modern fantasy series. Of course, the quality of the writing and the frequency, the intensity of the battle scenes also contribute to the way the pages of this longish book practically flew under my thumb in my rush to find out more about the fate of the former outlaw turned mercenary captain.
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.
At the start of the second book, the Lady has managed to make enemies of both the King and of the powerful Covenant of clerics that rule over religious matters in Albermaine. Alwyn, as Lady Evangeline’s scribe and confidant, is right in the middle of these turbulent times, having both saved the life of his leader with help from illegal magicks and defended her honour in the arena against the King’s champion.
So, the King and the Covenant, having failed to destroy the Lady and her Company, make her an offer she couldn’t refuse: take charge of a ruined castle and defend Albermaine against unruly local barons and dukes. This sets the stage for some excellent action scenes, first from a defender point of view in a siege, then switching to attacking a major walled city. Alwyn Scribe somehow excels not only in single combat but also as a leader of recruits and as a tactician, raising in the ranks as a Captain in the company. But his conscience is troubling him, since most of the actions they are forced to take on behalf of the king seem abusive and excessive in destruction and in punishing the innocent.
An added complication is the increased popularity of the Anointed Lady, which not only brings the masses under her flag, but also seem to exacerbate her belief in a holy mission from the Seraphim.
It is a common misconception that repeated exposure to battle will inure the soul to its terrors. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true: the more I tasted of battle, the more sickening I found it. I knew my less experienced comrades would look upon my blank features as the composed indifference of a hardened veteran, but it was in fact the carefully arranged mask of a man unable to quell an imagination rich in coming horrors.
Most of these political and military matters are standard fare, very well plotted but still not very original, except for the already mentioned narrowed focus on one lead character. The fantasy stuff comes into play with a visit to the southern neighbours of the kingdom of Albermaine. Behind an almost impregnable mountainous range live the Caerith, a sort of gipsy wanderers who are hunted down as witches inside Albermaine, but who also have psychic powers of unusual strength. Wary of strangers, the Caerith usually kill visitors as the find them, but Alwyn has had previous dealings with them. When he falls down the wrong side of the mountains and gets to visit the Caerith Wastes, Alwyn tries to learn something about the mysterious book from the first volume that appears to predict the future.
“Who wrote the book?” Alwyn asks the local oracle, and “Will it stop any of this ?” he continues when he witnesses in a dream the massacres of the First Scourge.
These are questions that remain to be answered in the next book in the series, as prophecy battles against free will and Alwyn seems poised to decide if he will join the Seraphim or the Malecite in the upcoming confrontation.
Until then, he still has to fight beside his Anointed Lady, now raised to the rank of master of spies for the mercenary company, who has grown too big for the King or the Covenant to manage safely. It should come as scant surprise that honest folk rarely make good spies. exclaims Alwyn as he heads back into his outlaw forest to search for allies or answers.
>>><<<>>><<<
A very fast, very engaging book that makes me eager to get my hands on the next instalment. It has a bit of popcorn blockbuster vibe to the action, but the characters are so well written that Mr. Ryan has earned a lot of leeway in what he does next.
I have often observed that a surfeit of faith will walk hand in hand with a dearth of common sense.
The second instalment in the Alwyn Scribe series, a classic medieval type of epic fantasy with a focus on religious fervour. I loved the first episode, but I confess I approached the sequel with some trepidation. Mr. Ryan has written another excellent debut to an epic with Blood Song but that series went downhill from there rather sharply.
It seems that the author has learned his lesson, and the new series maintains my interest in the characters and in the worldbuilding much better in the case of Alwyn.
I believe the secret ingredient is the focus on a singular narrator instead of the usual multiple, rotating POV of most modern fantasy series. Of course, the quality of the writing and the frequency, the intensity of the battle scenes also contribute to the way the pages of this longish book practically flew under my thumb in my rush to find out more about the fate of the former outlaw turned mercenary captain.
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.
At the start of the second book, the Lady has managed to make enemies of both the King and of the powerful Covenant of clerics that rule over religious matters in Albermaine. Alwyn, as Lady Evangeline’s scribe and confidant, is right in the middle of these turbulent times, having both saved the life of his leader with help from illegal magicks and defended her honour in the arena against the King’s champion.
So, the King and the Covenant, having failed to destroy the Lady and her Company, make her an offer she couldn’t refuse: take charge of a ruined castle and defend Albermaine against unruly local barons and dukes. This sets the stage for some excellent action scenes, first from a defender point of view in a siege, then switching to attacking a major walled city. Alwyn Scribe somehow excels not only in single combat but also as a leader of recruits and as a tactician, raising in the ranks as a Captain in the company. But his conscience is troubling him, since most of the actions they are forced to take on behalf of the king seem abusive and excessive in destruction and in punishing the innocent.
An added complication is the increased popularity of the Anointed Lady, which not only brings the masses under her flag, but also seem to exacerbate her belief in a holy mission from the Seraphim.
It is a common misconception that repeated exposure to battle will inure the soul to its terrors. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true: the more I tasted of battle, the more sickening I found it. I knew my less experienced comrades would look upon my blank features as the composed indifference of a hardened veteran, but it was in fact the carefully arranged mask of a man unable to quell an imagination rich in coming horrors.
Most of these political and military matters are standard fare, very well plotted but still not very original, except for the already mentioned narrowed focus on one lead character. The fantasy stuff comes into play with a visit to the southern neighbours of the kingdom of Albermaine. Behind an almost impregnable mountainous range live the Caerith, a sort of gipsy wanderers who are hunted down as witches inside Albermaine, but who also have psychic powers of unusual strength. Wary of strangers, the Caerith usually kill visitors as the find them, but Alwyn has had previous dealings with them. When he falls down the wrong side of the mountains and gets to visit the Caerith Wastes, Alwyn tries to learn something about the mysterious book from the first volume that appears to predict the future.
“Who wrote the book?” Alwyn asks the local oracle, and “Will it stop any of this ?” he continues when he witnesses in a dream the massacres of the First Scourge.
These are questions that remain to be answered in the next book in the series, as prophecy battles against free will and Alwyn seems poised to decide if he will join the Seraphim or the Malecite in the upcoming confrontation.
Until then, he still has to fight beside his Anointed Lady, now raised to the rank of master of spies for the mercenary company, who has grown too big for the King or the Covenant to manage safely. It should come as scant surprise that honest folk rarely make good spies. exclaims Alwyn as he heads back into his outlaw forest to search for allies or answers.
>>><<<>>><<<
A very fast, very engaging book that makes me eager to get my hands on the next instalment. It has a bit of popcorn blockbuster vibe to the action, but the characters are so well written that Mr. Ryan has earned a lot of leeway in what he does next.
Want to Read
June 30, 2022The Martyr is released today! Looking forward to diving into this second instalment of The Covenant of Steel.
November 30, 2023
This is the second book of the Covenant of Steel series and continues the story of Alwyn Scribe who is its narrator in a 1st person retrospective style. After finishing The Pariah I thought it was a good but not exceptional book that that introduced some really cool elements into the narrative that I was hoping would be given more exploration in The Martyr. I got what I hoped for but it took a bit to get there.
The reason this was a very good book but not a great book for me was basically the start through the first half. I wanted some more exploration of the Caerith and the more arcane parts of the world. Instead of that almost the entire first half is a pretty pedestrian military fantasy tale about a siege or sieges actually. I've read much better sieges in other books and I was honestly quite bored. That all changed in the second half.
There is a pivotal event that happens about halfway through the book and it was a total game changer for me in terms of my enjoyment. Not only was the main character not stuck in one place for long periods of time we got to see a new part of the world and start delving into the Caerith and the stuff I was interested in at the beginning. But it wasn't just that which improved. It was also the fact that the political intrigue ramps up and Alwyn comes in contact with a very interesting character that up to this point we had only heard about. It went from a book I was struggling to want to read to one I couldn't put down. And the end...boy the end. I need to start book 3 sooner rather than later because there are things I need to know.
Overall this was another very solid entry with my enjoyment maintaining a pretty consistently high level. I'm also coming to realize I quite like Anthony Ryan's style of both prose and dialogue. There was a scene where Alwyn calls another character a "maggot infested turd" and I couldn't help but think that sounds like something I would enjoy in an Abercrombie book. But chuckle-inducing vulgarity aside, there are some really good lines in here that just made the experience that much more enjoyable. My one remaining concern going forward is that it seems like there is a lot to wrap up with only one volume to go in the series. I hope he lands the plane. I'm looking forward to finding out.
The reason this was a very good book but not a great book for me was basically the start through the first half. I wanted some more exploration of the Caerith and the more arcane parts of the world. Instead of that almost the entire first half is a pretty pedestrian military fantasy tale about a siege or sieges actually. I've read much better sieges in other books and I was honestly quite bored. That all changed in the second half.
There is a pivotal event that happens about halfway through the book and it was a total game changer for me in terms of my enjoyment. Not only was the main character not stuck in one place for long periods of time we got to see a new part of the world and start delving into the Caerith and the stuff I was interested in at the beginning. But it wasn't just that which improved. It was also the fact that the political intrigue ramps up and Alwyn comes in contact with a very interesting character that up to this point we had only heard about. It went from a book I was struggling to want to read to one I couldn't put down. And the end...boy the end. I need to start book 3 sooner rather than later because there are things I need to know.
Overall this was another very solid entry with my enjoyment maintaining a pretty consistently high level. I'm also coming to realize I quite like Anthony Ryan's style of both prose and dialogue. There was a scene where Alwyn calls another character a "maggot infested turd" and I couldn't help but think that sounds like something I would enjoy in an Abercrombie book. But chuckle-inducing vulgarity aside, there are some really good lines in here that just made the experience that much more enjoyable. My one remaining concern going forward is that it seems like there is a lot to wrap up with only one volume to go in the series. I hope he lands the plane. I'm looking forward to finding out.
August 11, 2022
Mixed thoughts, but a superb ending!
August 7, 2022
2.5 stars
The Martyr is the sequel to The Pariah and whilst I really enjoyed book 1 I was left a little disappointed by this one. We continue to follow Alwyn the Scribe on his adventures as he and the risen Martyr Evadine get sent by the King to pursue peace across the kingdom and ensure the loyalty of the dukes.
I think the main reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as book 1 was Alwyn as a character. In book 1 he had such a cheeky, charming, loveable vibe but in this book he literally just felt like generic fantasy dude bro no78. I'm not sure if it is because he is older in this book but he just seemed a completely different character from book 1.
I also felt like 90% of this book was battles about things I didn't really care about. My favourite bit was when Alwyn ends up in the care of the Caelish people and befriends a young warrior called Lilat but this was quite a minor part of the book. Other than that dynamic there wasn't really any relationship between two characters in the book that I really cared about - even Alwyn and Evadine's interactions felt so surface level. (Also I missed Toria :'( )
I also felt like book 1 had a lot of interesting themes around religion, religious fervour and fanaticism but this book didn't really add anything new or interesting to those themes despite there being so much potential. It was sacrificed in place of battle scenes and action, which if that is your preference you will probably really like this book however I much prefer interesting philosophical and religious themes to action.
I will say Anthony Ryan's prose is excellent and that is probably what compelled me to keep reading rather than just DNF'ing. It is very relaxing to read (even when bad things are happening) and the story and text flow nicely - even if I wasn't all that interested in what was happening.
The Martyr is the sequel to The Pariah and whilst I really enjoyed book 1 I was left a little disappointed by this one. We continue to follow Alwyn the Scribe on his adventures as he and the risen Martyr Evadine get sent by the King to pursue peace across the kingdom and ensure the loyalty of the dukes.
I think the main reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as book 1 was Alwyn as a character. In book 1 he had such a cheeky, charming, loveable vibe but in this book he literally just felt like generic fantasy dude bro no78. I'm not sure if it is because he is older in this book but he just seemed a completely different character from book 1.
I also felt like 90% of this book was battles about things I didn't really care about. My favourite bit was when Alwyn ends up in the care of the Caelish people and befriends a young warrior called Lilat but this was quite a minor part of the book. Other than that dynamic there wasn't really any relationship between two characters in the book that I really cared about - even Alwyn and Evadine's interactions felt so surface level. (Also I missed Toria :'( )
I also felt like book 1 had a lot of interesting themes around religion, religious fervour and fanaticism but this book didn't really add anything new or interesting to those themes despite there being so much potential. It was sacrificed in place of battle scenes and action, which if that is your preference you will probably really like this book however I much prefer interesting philosophical and religious themes to action.
I will say Anthony Ryan's prose is excellent and that is probably what compelled me to keep reading rather than just DNF'ing. It is very relaxing to read (even when bad things are happening) and the story and text flow nicely - even if I wasn't all that interested in what was happening.
June 29, 2022
3.5 Stars
This is a solid sequel that will please anyone who loved the Pariah. Once again, the characters and prose were strong. I tend to enjoy revenge stories, but it's a very classic fantasy trope. I like this series but it's too classic and tropey in order for me to truly love it.
If you enjoy a very familiar fantasy narrative then this will likely be one you'll really enjoy.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the author.
This is a solid sequel that will please anyone who loved the Pariah. Once again, the characters and prose were strong. I tend to enjoy revenge stories, but it's a very classic fantasy trope. I like this series but it's too classic and tropey in order for me to truly love it.
If you enjoy a very familiar fantasy narrative then this will likely be one you'll really enjoy.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the author.
May 15, 2026
Bulgarian review first, followed by the English translation below
Райън продължава с фентъзи интерпретациите си на религиозните войни, тихо направлявани от възкръсналата светица Евадин. Алуин Писарят пък се сдобива с пукнат череп, с куп неприятни съновидения с пророчески елементи и с вече напълно доброволно издигане във военната поприще. На този фон Короната и Заветът ту се дебнат, ту си съдействат, докато еретици и Претендент допълнително раздвижват сюжета.
Втората част на трилогията е значително по-тромава в началото. То е препълнено с битки, обсади и досадни описания на всяко движение на меча и замесените войскови части. Действието започва да набира сила чак след първата третина. Алуин преминава от изпитание към катастрофа, като после ги редува в обратен ред - и така до самия край. Светостроенето е силната страна на автора.
За сметка на това Райън хич не го бива да изгражда нюансите в характерите на героите. Алуин и някои от второстепенните герои са доста прилични, но други са просто инструменти за придвижване на сюжета по заложения план. За съжаление сред рях попада и възкръсналата мъченица Евадин, която дава заглавието на тази втора част. Райън определено не знае какво да я прави, и я оставя обвита от мъгли и сенки (част от които са впечатляващо фанатични и кървави!). Това възпира всякакво сближаване с образа и пилее потенциала му. Включително за Алуин. Затова и краят ми дойде нагласен и без подходящо предварително напластяване.
Но авторът е опитен стар занаятчия, който дисциплинирано си навързва светове и мотиви с интригуващи детайли и загадки, така че ще прочета и третата част. Просто в случая книга, която можеше да е изключителна, се оказа само добра.
3,5⭐️
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🛡️ “A martyr, by definition, is dead. They are legends, heroes, figures of myth who do not linger to gainsay the words clerics preach in their name.”
🛡️“Cowardice is an accusation often laid at the door of those who prefer reason to violence.”
Ryan is back at it with his fantasy spin on religious wars, all quietly steered by the resurrected saint Evadine. Meanwhile, Alwyn Scribe ends up with a cracked skull, a bunch of nasty prophetic dreams, and a now fully voluntary climb up the military ladder. In the background, the Crown and the Covenant keep playing a game of cat and mouse, while heretics and a Pretender keep the plot moving.
This second book starts off pretty sluggish. It’s packed with battles, sieges, and those tedious descriptions of every single sword swing and troop movement. The story only really picks up speed after the first third. Alwyn basically bounces from one trial to the next catastrophe, and then back again, right until the end. If there's one thing Ryan excels at, it's definitely world-building.
On the downside, he’s just not great at adding nuance to his characters. Alwyn and a few side characters are decent enough, but others feel like mere tools to push the plot where it needs to go. Unfortunately, that includes the martyr herself, Evadine. Ryan clearly doesn't know what to do with her, so he keeps her wrapped in mists and shadows (some of which are impressively fanatical and bloody!). It makes it impossible to actually connect with her and wastes a lot of potential, even for Alwyn’s development. Because of that, the ending felt a bit forced and lacked the right build-up.
Still, the author is a pro—an old craftsman who knows how to tie his worlds and mysteries together with enough cool details to keep you hooked. I’ll definitely pick up the third book, but it’s just a shame because this could have been an amazing read, and instead, it’s just... good.
3,5⭐️
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🛡️ “A martyr, by definition, is dead. They are legends, heroes, figures of myth who do not linger to gainsay the words clerics preach in their name.”
🛡️“Cowardice is an accusation often laid at the door of those who prefer reason to violence.”
Райън продължава с фентъзи интерпретациите си на религиозните войни, тихо направлявани от възкръсналата светица Евадин. Алуин Писарят пък се сдобива с пукнат череп, с куп неприятни съновидения с пророчески елементи и с вече напълно доброволно издигане във военната поприще. На този фон Короната и Заветът ту се дебнат, ту си съдействат, докато еретици и Претендент допълнително раздвижват сюжета.
Втората част на трилогията е значително по-тромава в началото. То е препълнено с битки, обсади и досадни описания на всяко движение на меча и замесените войскови части. Действието започва да набира сила чак след първата третина. Алуин преминава от изпитание към катастрофа, като после ги редува в обратен ред - и така до самия край. Светостроенето е силната страна на автора.
За сметка на това Райън хич не го бива да изгражда нюансите в характерите на героите. Алуин и някои от второстепенните герои са доста прилични, но други са просто инструменти за придвижване на сюжета по заложения план. За съжаление сред рях попада и възкръсналата мъченица Евадин, която дава заглавието на тази втора част. Райън определено не знае какво да я прави, и я оставя обвита от мъгли и сенки (част от които са впечатляващо фанатични и кървави!). Това възпира всякакво сближаване с образа и пилее потенциала му. Включително за Алуин. Затова и краят ми дойде нагласен и без подходящо предварително напластяване.
Но авторът е опитен стар занаятчия, който дисциплинирано си навързва светове и мотиви с интригуващи детайли и загадки, така че ще прочета и третата част. Просто в случая книга, която можеше да е изключителна, се оказа само добра.
3,5⭐️
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🛡️ “A martyr, by definition, is dead. They are legends, heroes, figures of myth who do not linger to gainsay the words clerics preach in their name.”
🛡️“Cowardice is an accusation often laid at the door of those who prefer reason to violence.”
Ryan is back at it with his fantasy spin on religious wars, all quietly steered by the resurrected saint Evadine. Meanwhile, Alwyn Scribe ends up with a cracked skull, a bunch of nasty prophetic dreams, and a now fully voluntary climb up the military ladder. In the background, the Crown and the Covenant keep playing a game of cat and mouse, while heretics and a Pretender keep the plot moving.
This second book starts off pretty sluggish. It’s packed with battles, sieges, and those tedious descriptions of every single sword swing and troop movement. The story only really picks up speed after the first third. Alwyn basically bounces from one trial to the next catastrophe, and then back again, right until the end. If there's one thing Ryan excels at, it's definitely world-building.
On the downside, he’s just not great at adding nuance to his characters. Alwyn and a few side characters are decent enough, but others feel like mere tools to push the plot where it needs to go. Unfortunately, that includes the martyr herself, Evadine. Ryan clearly doesn't know what to do with her, so he keeps her wrapped in mists and shadows (some of which are impressively fanatical and bloody!). It makes it impossible to actually connect with her and wastes a lot of potential, even for Alwyn’s development. Because of that, the ending felt a bit forced and lacked the right build-up.
Still, the author is a pro—an old craftsman who knows how to tie his worlds and mysteries together with enough cool details to keep you hooked. I’ll definitely pick up the third book, but it’s just a shame because this could have been an amazing read, and instead, it’s just... good.
3,5⭐️
——————————————————
🛡️ “A martyr, by definition, is dead. They are legends, heroes, figures of myth who do not linger to gainsay the words clerics preach in their name.”
🛡️“Cowardice is an accusation often laid at the door of those who prefer reason to violence.”
July 1, 2026
You know when you've read and author before and you loved the first few stories in their trilogy but then you get to the final book and it ruins everything. Yeah...so we are there now. I read the Raven's Shadow trilogy and enjoyed the first two books so much only to be so disappointed in the ending. Now we have another trilogy by the same author and I'm so hopeful after enjoying the first two books of the series that the author will stick this landing a little better for me.
In Pariah Alwyn Scribe, journey a long way. Not only in distance but also in the boy who was a thief, to the prisoner stuck in the mines, to an acclaimed scribe in service to The Lady. He has as many lives as a cat and might just be down two more after this tale. Alwyn has again found himself elevated to a commander in The Lady's service. He is keeping a pretty large secret from Lady Evadine about her death, resurrection and the cost. But I'm pretty sure that is why the next book is called The Traitor. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I think if you are into battles and sieges The Martyr is going to work for you. There seemed to be many as the Army of the Lady grows and Evadine builds more popularity than the King or Church. They can't openly stand against her but there are ways to try and get her killed and thus make a true martyr of her tale. However, Alwyn didn't grow up noble and has plenty of trickery and dirty tactics to even the score.
I enjoyed the overall story. I appreciate that Anthony Ryan maintained the single PoV as that has been his best writing for me. Really getting into Alwyn Sribes motivations and thoughts helped me care for his character all the more.
Even though I think there are a few pacing issues, I was engaged in this tale the entire time. Taking a break from the fighting while Alwyn was with the Caerith people was probably my favorite part of the story. I enjoyed the expanding of the world and seeing a different people and how they lived. I also wished we would have gotten a little more time with the pretender. I enjoyed that overall character arc.
I can't help but compare Evadine and her army to that of Joan of Arc. It is strangely fascinating to see the fanaticism around her grow and Alwyn's guilt with it. I hope to explore her visions a little deeper in the final book and look forward to seeing how much Anthony Ryan has grown since that first trilogy.
Please wish this anxious reader luck on finding redemption in a different series. To be fair I believe Ryan did a decent job of fixing at least one Characters ending with the extended duology Raven's Blade.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: none
Steven Brand is a solid narrator for books with large castings and does the best with the Single PoVs. I will note for some reason it seemed like in The Martyr all the male character with some smaller role sounded like Hagrid from the Harry Potter full cast additions and they were harder to tell apart.
I still like how he captured Alwyn's nature and inner dialog. The narration assisted in creating a flawed but likeable character the reader can root for. While not in my favorites list for narrators to epic fantasy he did capture all the voices well and his performance kept me in the story. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
In Pariah Alwyn Scribe, journey a long way. Not only in distance but also in the boy who was a thief, to the prisoner stuck in the mines, to an acclaimed scribe in service to The Lady. He has as many lives as a cat and might just be down two more after this tale. Alwyn has again found himself elevated to a commander in The Lady's service. He is keeping a pretty large secret from Lady Evadine about her death, resurrection and the cost. But I'm pretty sure that is why the next book is called The Traitor. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
“You may imagine, dear reader, that a mere seven days is a completely inadequate interval in which to turn a gaggle of underfed, ill-smelling churls into soldiers. In which regard you are completely correct. The three hundred volunteers for this Second Covenant Company made such a poor impression that I felt compelled to offer Sergeant Ofihla an apology.”
I think if you are into battles and sieges The Martyr is going to work for you. There seemed to be many as the Army of the Lady grows and Evadine builds more popularity than the King or Church. They can't openly stand against her but there are ways to try and get her killed and thus make a true martyr of her tale. However, Alwyn didn't grow up noble and has plenty of trickery and dirty tactics to even the score.
I enjoyed the overall story. I appreciate that Anthony Ryan maintained the single PoV as that has been his best writing for me. Really getting into Alwyn Sribes motivations and thoughts helped me care for his character all the more.
Even though I think there are a few pacing issues, I was engaged in this tale the entire time. Taking a break from the fighting while Alwyn was with the Caerith people was probably my favorite part of the story. I enjoyed the expanding of the world and seeing a different people and how they lived. I also wished we would have gotten a little more time with the pretender. I enjoyed that overall character arc.
"Guilt is a strange toxin, for it can fortify as well as weaken."
I can't help but compare Evadine and her army to that of Joan of Arc. It is strangely fascinating to see the fanaticism around her grow and Alwyn's guilt with it. I hope to explore her visions a little deeper in the final book and look forward to seeing how much Anthony Ryan has grown since that first trilogy.
Please wish this anxious reader luck on finding redemption in a different series. To be fair I believe Ryan did a decent job of fixing at least one Characters ending with the extended duology Raven's Blade.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: none
Steven Brand is a solid narrator for books with large castings and does the best with the Single PoVs. I will note for some reason it seemed like in The Martyr all the male character with some smaller role sounded like Hagrid from the Harry Potter full cast additions and they were harder to tell apart.
I still like how he captured Alwyn's nature and inner dialog. The narration assisted in creating a flawed but likeable character the reader can root for. While not in my favorites list for narrators to epic fantasy he did capture all the voices well and his performance kept me in the story. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
May 27, 2022
What a read, spectacular from the first page till the last.
Highly recommended to all my good read friends who read fantasy.
Highly recommended to all my good read friends who read fantasy.
March 23, 2025
A wonderful progression of the story that introduced some characters that I connected with much more than the previous book. The continuation of this crusade in the name of the religious figures of this world has culminated in truly horrible war. Alwyn seemingly falls upwards into even more powerful positions as he find his abilities and morals to be at the center of what this revolution desires. A once outlaw turned scribe now captain of the covenant learns more and more about the powers at play here that even he cannot comprehend. Some of those powers are intentionally vague and leave wanting an explanation as to some of the very confusing arcane magic going on but that’s my critique with the series overall. There’s a lot going on that isn’t always clear but it’s not quite the focus of what is going on so I’ll leave it at that. This book concludes with an incredible realization/reveal at the end leaving a breathtaking cliffhanger and now I cannot wait to wrap up this series.
March 14, 2025
Męczennik – Najlepsze sequel jaki czytałem
Każdy miłośnik fantasy zna ten ból. Czytasz pierwszą część jakiejś serii, jarasz się, ekscytujesz, wciąga cię świat, bohaterowie i wszystkie tajemnice, a potem przychodzi druga część i... klops. Albo jest nudna, albo czuć, że autorowi skończyły się pomysły, albo cała historia zamienia się w przegadany filler przed wielkim finałem. A teraz wchodzę ja, cały na czarno, i mówię: Męczennik Anthony’ego Ryana to nie jest ten przypadek. Nie, moi drodzy. To jest ten sequel, który nie tylko przebija pierwszą część, ale jeszcze wraca, żeby sprawdzić, czy na pewno leżysz na deskach.
Oto Alwyn Skryba, najlepszy narrator w fantastyce
Zacznijmy od naszego ukochanego awanturnika, złodzieja, skryby i człowieka, który z jakiegoś powodu zawsze ląduje w gorszym bagnie, niż by sobie tego życzył. W pierwszej części Alwyn z wesołego banity przeistoczył się w żołnierza, a teraz, ku własnemu zdziwieniu, stał się doradcą kobiety, którą pół świata chce zabić, a drugie pół czcić jak świętą.
A nasz bohater? No cóż, on po prostu próbuje przeżyć i przy okazji nie stracić resztek swojej duszy, choć to zadanie staje się coraz trudniejsze.
Alwyn jako narrator to złoto. Jego sarkastyczne uwagi, spostrzeżenia i nieustanne zdziwienie tym, jakim cudem jeszcze żyje, sprawiają, że cała książka jest tak porywająca. Widzimy świat jego oczami i chociaż to fantasy pełne bitew, magii i polityki, to jego narracja dodaje temu realizmu. Czytając to, czułem się, jakbym słuchał starego weterana przy kuflu piwa, który nie ma już siły ściemniać i mówi wprost, jak było. Co jest jeszcze ciekawszym zabiegiem. Ponieważ w Pariasie Alwyn zdecydowanie częściej kłamał. Tu taj też zdarza mu się podkoloryzować historię, jednak jest znacznie bardziej szczery?
Bitwy, intrygi i makiawelizm na najwyższym poziomie
Jeśli myśleliście, że Ryan nie mógł się bardziej popisać scenami walki, to Męczennik udowodni wam, jak bardzo się myliliście. Ta książka to nie fantasy o chodzeniu po lasach i szukaniu magicznych artefaktów. To brudna, brutalna opowieść o wojnie, polityce i wyborach, które nigdy nie są łatwe.
Jest tu oblężenie, które czytałem na bezdechu. Jest polityczna gra o władzę, gdzie zdrada goni zdradę. Są zakulisowe rozmowy, które mają większy wpływ na losy świata niż bataliony żołnierzy. I jest Alwyn, który wciąż próbuje nie umrzeć, ale najwyraźniej los się na niego uwziął. By też nie było Alwyn przezywa umiejętnościami a nie tylko fartem.
Jedyne, co mogę powiedzieć o tych bitwach, to że Anthony Ryan pisze je tak dobrze, że można się spocić z emocji. Nie są to starcia typu „bohaterowie machają mieczami i wszystko cacy” – to chaos, błoto, pot i krew, a każda decyzja ma swoje konsekwencje. Chyba mógłbym to porównać do potyczek które obrazuje Joe Abercrombie tylko Ryan dodaje do nich więcej patosu.
Vox populi, vox Dei - Magia
Jednym z najbardziej intrygujących elementów tej serii jest magia – i w Męczenniku dostajemy jej więcej niż w Pariasie, ale wciąż pozostaje ona enigmatyczna i tajemnicza. Ryan nigdy nie był autorem, który serwuje nam system magii podany na tacy z instrukcją obsługi. Tutaj magia jest bardziej jak mgła – nigdy nie wiadomo, kiedy się pojawi i co przyniesie.
Mamy tu więcej informacji o Caerith, tajemniczej mocy, która wydaje się mieć swój własny plan. Mamy też nowe postacie, które mogą wywrócić całą grę do góry nogami. I mamy wreszcie moment, w którym Alwyn podejmuje decyzję tak idiotyczną, że miałem ochotę krzyczeć na książkę. Serio, stary. Nie mniej cieszę, że Alwyn jest bardzo ludzki.
Czy to najlepsza książka fantasy po roku 2020?
Nie będę się rozwodził nad tym, czy warto czytać tę książkę, bo odpowiedź jest oczywista. Męczennik to nie tylko świetna kontynuacja – to książka, która rozwija wszystko, co było dobre w Pariasie, i dodaje jeszcze więcej. Ryan stworzył historię, która wciąga jak wir, a potem wypluwa cię na brzeg zdezorientowanego i chcącego więcej.
Jeśli kochasz fantasy, w którym moralność jest szara, wojna jest brutalna, a polityka skomplikowana, to ta książka jest dla ciebie.
Teraz pozostaje mi tylko czekać na trzecią część. I modlić się, żeby fabryka znów nie kazała mi czekać 2 lat. Męczennik to na pewno kawał książki czy jest to najlepsze co wyszło moim zdaniem od 2020? W gatunku dark i millitary fantasy napewno. Ale czy to najlepsza fantasy od 2020 ciężko stwierdzić, bo mamy przecież Włócznia rozcina wodę, Wampirze cesarstwo, Kłopotliwy pokój czy Tyrania wiary. Więc nie dam osądu co jest najlepsze. Jednak autor zrobił jedno... dorósł pomiędzy Pieśnią Krwi a Męczennikiem jest równo 10 lat. Moje szczęście polega na tym, że zacząłem czytać go od Pariasa a nie od Pieśni Krwi. Gdyż w pieśni czuć, że literacko był jeszcze nieopierzony. Budowa klimatu mroku oparta na czystym edgu i mówienie patrzcie jak mroczny jest bohater i jak potężny. Nie oceniam bo za młodu bardzo lubiłem ten klimat. Dziś jednak preferuje coś bardziej stonowanego, filozoficznego i brudnego a nie mrocznego.
10/10
Każdy miłośnik fantasy zna ten ból. Czytasz pierwszą część jakiejś serii, jarasz się, ekscytujesz, wciąga cię świat, bohaterowie i wszystkie tajemnice, a potem przychodzi druga część i... klops. Albo jest nudna, albo czuć, że autorowi skończyły się pomysły, albo cała historia zamienia się w przegadany filler przed wielkim finałem. A teraz wchodzę ja, cały na czarno, i mówię: Męczennik Anthony’ego Ryana to nie jest ten przypadek. Nie, moi drodzy. To jest ten sequel, który nie tylko przebija pierwszą część, ale jeszcze wraca, żeby sprawdzić, czy na pewno leżysz na deskach.
Oto Alwyn Skryba, najlepszy narrator w fantastyce
Zacznijmy od naszego ukochanego awanturnika, złodzieja, skryby i człowieka, który z jakiegoś powodu zawsze ląduje w gorszym bagnie, niż by sobie tego życzył. W pierwszej części Alwyn z wesołego banity przeistoczył się w żołnierza, a teraz, ku własnemu zdziwieniu, stał się doradcą kobiety, którą pół świata chce zabić, a drugie pół czcić jak świętą.
A nasz bohater? No cóż, on po prostu próbuje przeżyć i przy okazji nie stracić resztek swojej duszy, choć to zadanie staje się coraz trudniejsze.
Alwyn jako narrator to złoto. Jego sarkastyczne uwagi, spostrzeżenia i nieustanne zdziwienie tym, jakim cudem jeszcze żyje, sprawiają, że cała książka jest tak porywająca. Widzimy świat jego oczami i chociaż to fantasy pełne bitew, magii i polityki, to jego narracja dodaje temu realizmu. Czytając to, czułem się, jakbym słuchał starego weterana przy kuflu piwa, który nie ma już siły ściemniać i mówi wprost, jak było. Co jest jeszcze ciekawszym zabiegiem. Ponieważ w Pariasie Alwyn zdecydowanie częściej kłamał. Tu taj też zdarza mu się podkoloryzować historię, jednak jest znacznie bardziej szczery?
Bitwy, intrygi i makiawelizm na najwyższym poziomie
Jeśli myśleliście, że Ryan nie mógł się bardziej popisać scenami walki, to Męczennik udowodni wam, jak bardzo się myliliście. Ta książka to nie fantasy o chodzeniu po lasach i szukaniu magicznych artefaktów. To brudna, brutalna opowieść o wojnie, polityce i wyborach, które nigdy nie są łatwe.
Jest tu oblężenie, które czytałem na bezdechu. Jest polityczna gra o władzę, gdzie zdrada goni zdradę. Są zakulisowe rozmowy, które mają większy wpływ na losy świata niż bataliony żołnierzy. I jest Alwyn, który wciąż próbuje nie umrzeć, ale najwyraźniej los się na niego uwziął. By też nie było Alwyn przezywa umiejętnościami a nie tylko fartem.
Jedyne, co mogę powiedzieć o tych bitwach, to że Anthony Ryan pisze je tak dobrze, że można się spocić z emocji. Nie są to starcia typu „bohaterowie machają mieczami i wszystko cacy” – to chaos, błoto, pot i krew, a każda decyzja ma swoje konsekwencje. Chyba mógłbym to porównać do potyczek które obrazuje Joe Abercrombie tylko Ryan dodaje do nich więcej patosu.
Vox populi, vox Dei - Magia
Jednym z najbardziej intrygujących elementów tej serii jest magia – i w Męczenniku dostajemy jej więcej niż w Pariasie, ale wciąż pozostaje ona enigmatyczna i tajemnicza. Ryan nigdy nie był autorem, który serwuje nam system magii podany na tacy z instrukcją obsługi. Tutaj magia jest bardziej jak mgła – nigdy nie wiadomo, kiedy się pojawi i co przyniesie.
Mamy tu więcej informacji o Caerith, tajemniczej mocy, która wydaje się mieć swój własny plan. Mamy też nowe postacie, które mogą wywrócić całą grę do góry nogami. I mamy wreszcie moment, w którym Alwyn podejmuje decyzję tak idiotyczną, że miałem ochotę krzyczeć na książkę. Serio, stary. Nie mniej cieszę, że Alwyn jest bardzo ludzki.
Czy to najlepsza książka fantasy po roku 2020?
Nie będę się rozwodził nad tym, czy warto czytać tę książkę, bo odpowiedź jest oczywista. Męczennik to nie tylko świetna kontynuacja – to książka, która rozwija wszystko, co było dobre w Pariasie, i dodaje jeszcze więcej. Ryan stworzył historię, która wciąga jak wir, a potem wypluwa cię na brzeg zdezorientowanego i chcącego więcej.
Jeśli kochasz fantasy, w którym moralność jest szara, wojna jest brutalna, a polityka skomplikowana, to ta książka jest dla ciebie.
Teraz pozostaje mi tylko czekać na trzecią część. I modlić się, żeby fabryka znów nie kazała mi czekać 2 lat. Męczennik to na pewno kawał książki czy jest to najlepsze co wyszło moim zdaniem od 2020? W gatunku dark i millitary fantasy napewno. Ale czy to najlepsza fantasy od 2020 ciężko stwierdzić, bo mamy przecież Włócznia rozcina wodę, Wampirze cesarstwo, Kłopotliwy pokój czy Tyrania wiary. Więc nie dam osądu co jest najlepsze. Jednak autor zrobił jedno... dorósł pomiędzy Pieśnią Krwi a Męczennikiem jest równo 10 lat. Moje szczęście polega na tym, że zacząłem czytać go od Pariasa a nie od Pieśni Krwi. Gdyż w pieśni czuć, że literacko był jeszcze nieopierzony. Budowa klimatu mroku oparta na czystym edgu i mówienie patrzcie jak mroczny jest bohater i jak potężny. Nie oceniam bo za młodu bardzo lubiłem ten klimat. Dziś jednak preferuje coś bardziej stonowanego, filozoficznego i brudnego a nie mrocznego.
10/10
July 8, 2022
Love, faith, and duty. Three words to describe the book.
The storyline is very intriguing and fresh compared to other new fantasy books I've read recently. The depth and description provided for all the characters are amazing. The growth that the author's writing from Raven's shadow to Raven's Blade to Covenant of steel is evident in this book.
The storyline is very intriguing and fresh compared to other new fantasy books I've read recently. The depth and description provided for all the characters are amazing. The growth that the author's writing from Raven's shadow to Raven's Blade to Covenant of steel is evident in this book.
August 9, 2022
You can find my review here! https://youtu.be/pidj2NlSkEI
September 24, 2023
The Martyr is the middle or rubber book in the Covenant of Steel trilogy. It is so chockfull of action that you might be forgiven if you don’t realize that everything that transpires sets the stage for the final novel in the trilogy, the Traitor. Set aside a large block of time to read this one as it is lengthy and rich in detail. The maps and list of characters in the beginning will not be of much use.
Lady Evadine Courlain is the reborn martyr of the title and the masses are beginning to flock to her based on the legend of her rebirth, a legend that Alwyn Scribe had a hand in creating. Her followers see her as the arch-Angel of paradise and her company is not just warriors, but religious zealots capable of anything. Thief and scoundrel Scribe is now a captain in the company and the Annoinyed Lady’s chief confidante and eventually her lover in the shadow of the corpse of the Covenant’s preacher, a fact kept secret as her eventual pregnancy is told as a divine conception.
The setting is a fantasy world where the technology is Middle Ages swords and steeds with ancient magic lurking in the background. The Covenant is a religious power akin to the Catholic Church balancing out the Crown and Evadine’s company a religious crusade.
Much of this story is Evadine’s swearing loyalty to the Crown and doing its bidding, which means being put in a trap in an indefensible castle from which her forces are to be annihilated. Surviving that siege places further obligations on her company as they move to ruthlessly crush rebellion in the South taking no prisoners and laying waste to the land.
There is an interlude where Alwyn finds himself among the Caerith, a seemingly- more primitive people with a land few outsiders ever venture in. His fate is intertwined with theirs, but it is a fascinating interlude.
Loyalties are tested at every stage and Allie’s change more often than the weather. Nevertheless, this is a powerful and gripping fantasy tale.
Lady Evadine Courlain is the reborn martyr of the title and the masses are beginning to flock to her based on the legend of her rebirth, a legend that Alwyn Scribe had a hand in creating. Her followers see her as the arch-Angel of paradise and her company is not just warriors, but religious zealots capable of anything. Thief and scoundrel Scribe is now a captain in the company and the Annoinyed Lady’s chief confidante and eventually her lover in the shadow of the corpse of the Covenant’s preacher, a fact kept secret as her eventual pregnancy is told as a divine conception.
The setting is a fantasy world where the technology is Middle Ages swords and steeds with ancient magic lurking in the background. The Covenant is a religious power akin to the Catholic Church balancing out the Crown and Evadine’s company a religious crusade.
Much of this story is Evadine’s swearing loyalty to the Crown and doing its bidding, which means being put in a trap in an indefensible castle from which her forces are to be annihilated. Surviving that siege places further obligations on her company as they move to ruthlessly crush rebellion in the South taking no prisoners and laying waste to the land.
There is an interlude where Alwyn finds himself among the Caerith, a seemingly- more primitive people with a land few outsiders ever venture in. His fate is intertwined with theirs, but it is a fascinating interlude.
Loyalties are tested at every stage and Allie’s change more often than the weather. Nevertheless, this is a powerful and gripping fantasy tale.
May 17, 2026
A great second installment to one of my favorite trilogies. Usually the second book in a trilogy falls short of the first and third book, but not this one. The storyline moves just as smoothly and as interesting as the first book.
Alwyn is continuing to accumulate titles, skills and experiences throughout this book. He assists with defending a castle, besieging a city, surviving the caerith lands, and the fight against the pretender. Nothing ever feels repetitive in this series. Even each battle is different, and it is interesting to see how Alwyn navigates the different battle settings.
I really enjoyed his time in the Caerith lands and it sets up the foreshadowing of the third book. Alwyn is given insight but struggles with listening to himself.
The narrator is still future Alwyn and I still really enjoy this type of narration since it is interesting to get reflections every once in a while from future Alwyn.
I do miss Toria, but we do gain a new friend in Lilat which I enjoyed her addition to the story. I still highly recommend this series and even on reread it is still a favorite of mine. I am enjoying this as much as the first time I read it.
Alwyn is continuing to accumulate titles, skills and experiences throughout this book. He assists with defending a castle, besieging a city, surviving the caerith lands, and the fight against the pretender. Nothing ever feels repetitive in this series. Even each battle is different, and it is interesting to see how Alwyn navigates the different battle settings.
I really enjoyed his time in the Caerith lands and it sets up the foreshadowing of the third book. Alwyn is given insight but struggles with listening to himself.
The narrator is still future Alwyn and I still really enjoy this type of narration since it is interesting to get reflections every once in a while from future Alwyn.
I do miss Toria, but we do gain a new friend in Lilat which I enjoyed her addition to the story. I still highly recommend this series and even on reread it is still a favorite of mine. I am enjoying this as much as the first time I read it.
June 2, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75-4
A man who isn't truly a king stands ready to greet a woman who isn't truly a Martyr, I mused, wondering if all noteworthy moments in history might in fact comprise a grand, mendacious pantomime.
And that’s the launchpad for this epic grimdark fantasy!
Ryan has such an alacrity in writing battle scenes. Yes, I did find myself skimming as I am not too fond of war heavy books, but Ryan is one author who captures my attention for lengthy times, similar to John Gwynne.
Expect gruesome descriptions, dark humour, and gritty, bloody deaths.
”Spit that out," I ordered upon realising the nature of her meal. The Widow opened her mouth and allowed the half-eaten lump of flesh to tumble out, her face still mostly blank.
Ryan writes with such conviction about the reality behind roles, court, and powers. Notably, how people’s attitudes and lives shapes their perceptions of others. These judgements can cause deceptive fallacies that Alwyn knows to twist and wield as well as any sword.
So mired in their own ambition and deceit they proceed through life possessed of the comforting delusion that all others are cast in the same mould, My amusement at the princess's limited mind and singular misjudgement was muted by the knowledge that, in many ways, I wished her to be right. It is inarguable that my life, and the lives of so many others, would have been far simpler, and in many cases longer, had Evadine Courlain been a liar.
If you enjoyed The Justice of Kings or the First Law trilogy, I would recommend this!
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A man who isn't truly a king stands ready to greet a woman who isn't truly a Martyr, I mused, wondering if all noteworthy moments in history might in fact comprise a grand, mendacious pantomime.
And that’s the launchpad for this epic grimdark fantasy!
Ryan has such an alacrity in writing battle scenes. Yes, I did find myself skimming as I am not too fond of war heavy books, but Ryan is one author who captures my attention for lengthy times, similar to John Gwynne.
Expect gruesome descriptions, dark humour, and gritty, bloody deaths.
”Spit that out," I ordered upon realising the nature of her meal. The Widow opened her mouth and allowed the half-eaten lump of flesh to tumble out, her face still mostly blank.
Ryan writes with such conviction about the reality behind roles, court, and powers. Notably, how people’s attitudes and lives shapes their perceptions of others. These judgements can cause deceptive fallacies that Alwyn knows to twist and wield as well as any sword.
So mired in their own ambition and deceit they proceed through life possessed of the comforting delusion that all others are cast in the same mould, My amusement at the princess's limited mind and singular misjudgement was muted by the knowledge that, in many ways, I wished her to be right. It is inarguable that my life, and the lives of so many others, would have been far simpler, and in many cases longer, had Evadine Courlain been a liar.
If you enjoyed The Justice of Kings or the First Law trilogy, I would recommend this!
Bookstagram
November 8, 2022
Anthony Ryan is one of my " You write it, I will read it " authors. The second book in the Covenant of Steel series, the series is told through main protagonist POV, Alwyn Scribe. The book starts out with a report by a skeptical government official to the King, retelling the events that happened in Book One, The Pariah. It is a literary device that I really appreciate as it helps the reader get to Chapter One with your running shoes on. There is a rhythm to this story, frantic action, a step back, frantic action, and a step back. As Evadine the Martyr gains followers and challenges the established religious order, Alwyn goes from scribe to warrior to spy master and then a sword master learned from his sworn enemy. It is that kind of wild ride that I really appreciate, as it kept me guessing as to what path Ryan's Alwyn character will take next. Looking forward to the final book which is set to be published in 2023, so a short wait.
January 29, 2024
A fantastic ride with a Martyr and a Scribe!!
Once again, Anthony Ryan has written a wonderfully dark story with some wonderful twists and turns along the way. I have enjoyed this story thoroughly and look forward to reading The Traitor to see where he leads us next. WONDERFUL and highly recommended.
Once again, Anthony Ryan has written a wonderfully dark story with some wonderful twists and turns along the way. I have enjoyed this story thoroughly and look forward to reading The Traitor to see where he leads us next. WONDERFUL and highly recommended.
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