If you’re hunting for a fantasy novel that doesn’t treat you like a child, you've probably tripped over Anthony Ryan’s name more than once. Most people know him from Blood Song, that legendary debut that basically set the bar for "warrior school" tropes before things got, well, complicated in the sequels. But honestly? The Pariah Anthony Ryan wrote in 2021 might be his most balanced, meanest, and most rewarding work to date. It’s the kind of book that smells like wet earth and old iron. It doesn’t hold your hand.
It starts with Alwyn Scribe. He’s a bastard, a thief, and a liar.
You’ve seen the "lovable rogue" thing before, but Alwyn is different. He isn’t some high-born noble playing at being poor. He’s a guy raised in the Shavine Marches by a group of outlaws who would just as soon slit your throat as look at you. He’s smart, sure, but he’s also frequently wrong about people, which makes him feel human.
What Actually Happens in The Pariah?
The story follows Alwyn from his days as a forest-dwelling bandit to his eventual—and very messy—involvement in a religious war. It’s the first book in the Covenant of Steel trilogy. Don't expect a lot of flashy magic early on. Ryan plays a long game here.
Early in the book, a massive betrayal wipes out Alwyn’s found family. This isn't a spoiler; it's the catalyst. He ends up in "The Pit," a brutal prison mine where the mortality rate is basically "everyone, eventually." This is where he meets Toria, a character who is arguably even tougher than he is.
Their friendship is one of the best parts of the book. No romance, just survival.
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Eventually, Alwyn finds himself under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain. She’s a noblewoman who claims to see visions of a demonic apocalypse. Is she a saint? A cult leader? A genius tactician? Ryan leaves that for you to chew on. Alwyn follows her because he has nowhere else to go, and because he wants revenge on the people who sold him out.
The World of Albermaine
The setting, Albermaine, feels like a grimier version of medieval England or France. It’s a kingdom torn apart by a "Pretender" claiming the throne and a religious institution called the Covenant of the Martyr that has its fingers in every pie.
What makes the world-building work is how lived-in it feels. Ryan focuses on the logistics of war—the mud, the hunger, the way a cheap shield splinters under a mace. It’s "low fantasy" in the sense that magic is rare and terrifying. When a "Sack Witch" or the "Chainsman" shows up, it feels like a genuine horror movie moment because you’ve spent 200 pages watching guys fight with rusty daggers.
Why Readers Get Anthony Ryan’s Style Wrong
A lot of people complain that Ryan’s books start strong and then get "weird" or "bloated." If you’re coming from Blood Song, you might be wary.
But The Pariah stays focused.
The narrative is told entirely from Alwyn’s perspective as an old man looking back. It’s a "first-person memoir" style, similar to The Name of the Wind or The Sun Eater. This means Alwyn is an unreliable narrator. He admits when he was being an idiot. He hints at things he’s going to do later that he clearly regrets.
This narrow focus keeps the pacing tight. You aren't jumping between six different kingdoms and twelve different POV characters. You are in Alwyn’s head, and usually, Alwyn is just trying not to get stabbed.
The "Grimdark" Label
Is it grimdark? Sorta. It’s definitely violent. People die in ways that are deeply unpleasant. But there’s a core of loyalty and even a weird kind of "outlaw honor" that keeps it from being nihilistic. Alwyn cares about his friends. He has a moral code, even if it’s a crooked one.
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The book is 600 pages, but it moves. Part one is a forest survivalist story. Part two is a prison break. Part three is a full-scale military campaign. It’s like three different genres smashed together into one cohesive arc.
How to Approach the Covenant of Steel
If you’re planning to dive in, there are a few things you should know.
- Don't rush the beginning. The first 50-75 pages are world-building heavy. Stick with it until the betrayal happens. Once Alwyn is on the run, the stakes never really drop.
- Pay attention to the names. Albermaine’s politics are dense. It helps to keep track of who is a "Pretender" supporter and who is a "Loyalist," though Alwyn himself often doesn't care.
- The sequels are out. The trilogy is finished (The Martyr and The Traitor). You don’t have to wait years to find out if Alwyn gets his revenge.
- The magic is subtle. If you want Harry Potter style fireballs, look elsewhere. The "arcane" elements here are psychological and creepy.
Key Themes to Watch For
The biggest theme is Faith vs. Fanaticism. Evadine Courlain is a fascinating character because she truly believes she’s saving the world. Alwyn is a skeptic, but he’s drawn to her charisma. It’s a look at how "good" people can do "terrible" things when they think God is on their side.
There’s also a lot of talk about Identity. Alwyn goes from being an outlaw to a prisoner to a scribe to a soldier. He’s constantly reinventing himself to stay alive. The title, The Pariah, isn't just a cool word—it’s how the world sees him, and how he sees himself.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you're ready to start The Pariah, do this:
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- Check out the Audiobook: Steven Brand narrates it, and he is fantastic. He gives Alwyn a weary, gravelly voice that perfectly matches the "old man looking back" vibe.
- Read the first chapter online: Most retailers offer a preview. If the prose doesn't grab you in the first ten pages, it might not be for you. Ryan’s writing is very "efficient"—not too flowery, but very descriptive of action.
- Look for the hardcover: The cover art for this series is actually some of the best in modern fantasy. It looks great on a shelf.
Honestly, if you miss the feeling of early 2010s epic fantasy but want something with a bit more grit and a more mature voice, this is the one. It’s Anthony Ryan proving he isn’t a one-hit wonder.
Grab a copy of The Pariah and settle in for a slow-burn revenge story that actually pays off. ---
Next Steps: Pick up The Pariah at your local bookstore or check it out on Kindle. Once you finish, move straight into The Martyr to see how Alwyn’s role in the war expands.