The Traitor: Book Three of the Covenant of Steel

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This series became better and better with each book, the testimony of Alwyn the outlaw who became a scribe, then a knight is genuine and his journey is more tragedy than triumph. And then, when he unwillingly became Evandine's infantry fodder, it was: "But, how did he come so close to the Pretender?"

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. Yet Evadine is not the woman Alwyn once knew. As puritanical fury increasingly replaces her benevolent faith, Alwyn begins to question what her true motives really are. The Traitor is told, as the previous books, in the first person of Alwyn since it has always been his story to tell. As he continues his path, Alwyn never makes excuses for the things he has done. When pointed out, he thinks upon them and may wrestle with the morality of it, but he confronts it all honestly. I always found Alwyn an endearing character. He has a quiet wisdom and the ability to speak his mind in such a way that in most instances is not confrontational. He always had a way of reading people, seeing slight expressions, muscle movements, and other things people would miss that give away how someone really feels. In many ways, Alwyn can tell if a person is lying by using these skills of observation. He uses these them when assessing what Evadine is morphing into, yet is hesitant to do anything about it. In The Traitor is where Alwyn faces his biggest choices and confronts his growing inner turmoil over Evadine.I have often observed that a surfeit of faith will walk hand in hand with a dearth of common sense. 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. With thoughtful characterization and an innovative variation on a familiar theme, this impressive horror tale wows.” — Publishers Weekly Starred Review In this “gritty, heart-pounding” (John Gwynne) conclusion to the New York Times bestselling fantasy trilogy, The Covenant of Steel, Alwyn must make a difficult decide between his heart and his morals as he prepares for his final battle.

if there was ever a land in need of peace, it was Albermaine. When Evadine rose to don the crown, who but the mad would contend her? Such, dearest reader, are the delusions of those lost in the maze of love” 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. Let me tell you something, oh my wayward cub.” Her voice became an urgent hiss as she leaned closer. “The sum of what I’ve learned about lords, ladies, and all others who claim nobility in this realm: it’s all shit, and they know it. Titles mean nothing. Blood and kinship mean nothing. There are three things that matter in this realm: coin, land, and the ability to summon soldiers to fight those who would seek to take the first two from you. Everything else is a farce played by folk born into their role or come late to the stage, like me and you. Your divinely ordained bitch may have the most complex role of all. But it’s still just that, Alwyn, an act, even if she doesn’t know she’s playing.”The writing is quite engaging and the world-building gets much better as the plot unfolds from book one up until this conclusion, while the characterizations are also painted on well and blend with their respective plot threads. The pacing and seemingly endless plot twists are executed with a masterful touch of expertise and a flair for the dramatic. I do feel like the ending was slightly a let down as it leaves you on a bit of a teaser, a bit of a cliffhanger. Not something you necessarily want at the end of a trilogy.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: Ryan’s thoughtful characterizations and complex plotting are on clear display, enhanced by his evocative prose. This sends the series out on a high note."— Publishers Weekly(starred review) Anthony Ryan initially self-published Blood Song, [2] however, he switched to major publication when Penguin books offered him a three-book deal in May 2012. He started writing full-time after the success of the publication. He continues to self-publish a series of SF Noir novellas.

Anthony Ryan needs no introduction – the author of the Raven’s Shadow, Raven’s Blade, Draconis Memoria and Covenant of Steel series is one of the biggest names in modern epic fantasy and has sold more than a million books worldwide. 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. I read the three books of Covenant of Steel this year and I can honestly say that this was one of the best fantasy series I ever read! Alwyn Scribe is a rare character I think I know him, became like a friend to me. As a thank you to their readers, Subterranean Press are giving away an ebook of my short story The Scarlet Ziggurat. This is a prequel story set in the same world as my Seven Swords novella series. But as the boat moves through the mist-shrouded waters, divisions begin to form, and the group is plagued by questions. Who is directing them, why have they lost their memories, and what are the screams they can hear beyond the mist?I recently finished The Traitor, which was an excellent conclusion to the series, and I’m very much hoping to see more readers find the series now it is completed. Following the first two books of the series, Alwyn realises he is completely wrapped around Evadine’s finger. Now he must decide between peace, deception, lies, and ruin. Where does his own beliefs and values fit in? Can they? 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. 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.

I was worried you wouldn’t be able to match its excellence with Tower Lord, but you did and if anything, you topped it! I re-read Blood Song just before Tower Lord was released and after reading Tower Lord, I couldn’t let the story and characters go. I had to do another re-read of both books. They are so good, I feel I need to read them again. They are like a drug, I can’t get enough of! LOL.The first glimpse of the divide between Alwyn and Evadine is a scroll setting forth the true story of her healing by a Caerith witch, meaning she was never as claimed a Risen Martyr. The second is the child she is carrying, who she claims was created by divine conception. Alwyn is declared a traitor fir he is at the heart of the truth of these things, but she cannot bear to kill him as she still loves him. 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.