The Pariah, Anthony Ryan
The Pariah, Anthony Ryan
2 Rating(s)
List: $38.99 | Sale: $27.30
Club: $19.49

The Pariah

Author: Anthony Ryan

Narrator: Steven Brand

Unabridged: 19 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 08/24/2021

Synopsis

"A gritty, heart-pounding tale of betrayal and bloody vengeance. I loved every single word." —John Gwynne

The Pariah begins a new epic fantasy series of action, intrigue and magic from Anthony Ryan, a master storyteller who has taken the fantasy world by storm.
 Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path - one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier's life in the king's army.
 
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine's rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?

"This makes a rich treat for George R.R. Martin fans." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 For more from Anthony Ryan, check out: Raven's Shadow TrilogyBlood SongTower LordQueen of Fire Raven's Blade DuologyThe Wolf's CallThe Black Song The Draconis Memoria TrilogyThe Waking FireThe Legion of FlameThe Empire of Ashes

About Anthony Ryan

Anthony Ryan is an internationally bestselling author best known for weaving rich worlds of epic fantasy and science fiction. With a gift for creating intricate plots and unforgettable characters, his stories blend sweeping adventure with the intimate struggles of duty, loyalty, and survival. Readers around the world first discovered his work through Blood Song, the breakout debut of his Raven's Shadow trilogy, and have followed him ever since through the Draconis Memoria series, The Covenant of Steel trilogy, and beyond.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Anthony worked in academic publishing and public service, experiences that gave him a deep appreciation for history, research, and the power of storytelling across cultures. His books are often praised for their depth of worldbuilding, moral complexity, and the way they balance thrilling action with thoughtful reflection.

When he isn't writing, Anthony enjoys delving into history, science, and classic literature for inspiration-or simply losing himself in a good book. Though his stories may travel across kingdoms and battlefields, he believes the heart of fantasy lies in its ability to illuminate the human spirit. He currently makes his home in Scotland, where he continues to dream up new worlds for readers to explore.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Petrik on August 21, 2021

ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read every novel by Anthony Ryan, and The Pariah just might have his best prose so far. "When the task is a killing, be quick and make sure of it. Torment is an indulgence. Save it for only the most deserving." There......more

Goodreads review by Khalid on April 21, 2025

Very good writing coupled with a highly interesting plot, but the world-building was sparse and a bit lackluster, surely, in favor of the complex storyline and characterisations I'm guessing. It tells of the travails of one, Alwyn, a bandit and thief, who was born into suffering only to grow up with......more

Goodreads review by Jasmine on August 23, 2021

I’m bumping this up to five stars because I still can’t stop thinking about this awesome book. 4.5 stars. At the beginning of this epic fantasy I wasn’t sure if this was the right book for me, but now that I’ve finished it, I can’t wait for the next one to come out! This one has it all: politics, rel......more

Goodreads review by Niki Hawkes on December 28, 2021

I now have a Booktube channel! Find me at: The Obsessive Bookseller Pariah was my most-anticipated fantasy release of 2021. I was so excited… and I wished I’d liked it more. A couple of things sort of sapped my enjoyment of this book. Things that may not bother others as much as they did me. For start......more

Goodreads review by La Crosse County Library on November 13, 2021

After college, Bloodsong by Anthony Ryan got me back into fantasy and reading for fun after randomly picking it up in a bookstore. It opened a new door for me in exploring self-published books and other books that were less popular. The landscape for fantasy changed since I used to read it while I......more

Quotes

“Gritty and well-drawn, this makes a rich treat for George R.R. Martin fans.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A gritty, heart-pounding tale of betrayal and bloody vengeance. I loved every single word."—John Gwynne

"A master storyteller."—Mark Lawrence

"Fans of broadscale epic fantasy along the lines of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novels should find this debut much to their liking."—Library Journal on Blood Song

"[Blood Song] certainly has it all: great coming-of-age tale, compelling character and a fast-paced plot. If [Ryan's] first book is any indication of things to come, then all fantasy readers should rejoice."—Michael J. Sullivan on Blood Song

"Ryan hits all the high notes of epic fantasy--a gritty setting, ancient magics, ruthless intrigue, divided loyalties and bloody action."—Publishers Weekly on Blood Song

"A page-turner."—Booklist on Blood Song

"Readers who enjoy their fantasy fast and furious will find Ryan's latest to be an immensely satisfying, top-notch adventure fantasy."—Kirkus on Wolf's Call

"Robin Hobb meets Joe Abercrombie in a story that delivers so many gut-wrenching blows. This is fantasy with a totally legendary feel; it's epic in every regard."—Fantasy Book Review on The Wolf's Call

"[A] thrilling deep dive into fantasy warfare."—Publishers Weekly on The Wolf's Call

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