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Anthony Ryan

(b.1970)

aka A J Ryan

Anthony Ryan is the New York Times best selling author of the Raven's Shadow epic fantasy novels as well as the Slab City Blues science fiction series. He 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror

New and upcoming books

August 2025

Born of an Iron Storm
(Age of Wrath, book 2)

August 2025

The Feeding

August 2025

The Infernus Gate
(Seven Swords, book 7)

Series

Raven's Shadow
   0.5. The Lady of Crows (2017)
   1. Blood Song (2012)
   1.5. The Lord Collector (2016)
   2. Tower Lord (2014)
   3. Queen of Fire (2015)
   A Duel of Evils (2017)
   Many Are the Dead (2018)
   Songs of the Dark (2021)
   The Book Burner's Fall (2024)

Slab City Blues
   1. Slab City Blues (2014)
   2. A Song for Madame Choi (2014)
   3. A Hymn To Gods Long Dead (2012)
   4. The Ballad of Bad Jack (2013)
   5. An Aria for Ragnarok (2015)

Draconis Memoria
   0.5. Sandrunners (2016)
   1. The Waking Fire (2016)
   2. The Legion of Flame (2017)
   3. The Empire of Ashes (2018)

Raven's Blade
1. The Wolf's Call (2019)
2. The Black Song (2020)

Seven Swords
   1. A Pilgrimage of Swords (2019)
   2. The Kraken's Tooth (2020)
   3. City of Songs (2021)
   4. To Blackfyre Keep (2022)
   5. Across the Sorrow Sea (2023)
   6. The Road of Storms (2024)
   7. The Infernus Gate (2025)

Covenant of Steel
   1. The Pariah (2021)
   2. The Martyr (2022)
   3. The Traitor (2023)

Age of Wrath
1. A Tide of Black Steel (2024)
2. Born of an Iron Storm (2025)

Novels

Fire Wings (2022)
The Feeding (2025)

Novellas and Short Stories

The Mist and the Blindness (2018)

Books containing stories by Anthony Ryan

Deep Magic: Volume III (2025)
(Deep Magic collections)

The King Must Fall (2022)
edited by
Sarah Chorn, Adrian Collins and Mike Myers

Deep Magic: Volume II (2021)
(Deep Magic collections)

More books

Anthony Ryan recommends

The Last Vigilant (2025)
(Kingdom of Oak and Steel, book 1)
Mark A Latham
"David Gemmell meets The Name of the Rose in a page-turning mix of mystery and epic fantasy."

The Devils (2025)
(Devils , book 1)
Joe Abercrombie
"Mixing the central conceit of Suicide Squad with Hammer Horror vibes, as viewed via the lens of alternate history, Joe Abercrombie's The Devils is a gore splattered roller coaster ride from start to finish. Probably the most fun you can have reading a fantasy novel."

A Song of Legends Lost (2025)
(Invoker Trilogy, book 1)
M H Ayinde
"An epic tale of conflict, betrayal, and intrigue . . . M.H. Ayinde weaves a rich and engrossing story through a unique and fascinating world."

How to Become the Dark Lord (and Die Trying) (2024)
(Dark Lord Davi, book 1)
Django Wexler
"Django Wexler takes the concept of progression fantasy to a whole new level in this darkly comic delight of a novel. Finding comedic, and sometimes tragic, potential in the absurdities and contradictions offered by well worn fantasy tropes, How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying works wonderfully as both satire and tribute."

Dark Water Daughter (2023)
(Winter Sea, book 1)
H M Long
"H.M. Long's Dark Water Daughter is a deftly executed and highly entertaining combination of high seas adventure and flintlock fantasy, enriched by a duo of engaging leads and an original take on magic. A tale that deserves to rank alongside RJ Barker's The Bone Ships and Robin Hobb's The Liveship Traders in the top rank of maritime fantasy."

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men (2022)
(Gael Song, book 1)
Shauna Lawless
"Highlander meets The Last Kingdom as feuding clans of magical undying vie for control of tenth-century Ireland in this assured and captivating debut. Themes of motherhood and conflicted obligation lie at the heart of Shauna Lawless's historical fantasy, explored through the eyes of two powerful women compelled to navigate a land where men hold sway, or think they do. I was hooked from page one."

Pennyblade (2022)
J L Worrad
"Pennyblade doesn't so much reinvent well-worn fantasy tropes as stab them to death in a dark alley. Kyra Cal'Adra is a lethally alluring protagonist weaving an intricate tale rich in ferocious action and multifaceted intrigue, all topped off by a deliciously vicious twist."

The Blacktongue Thief (2021)
(Blacktongue Thief, book 1)
Christopher Buehlman
"Highly entertaining ride through a world as monstrous as it is wonderous."

The Fires of Vengeance (2020)
(Burning , book 2)
Evan Winter
"A major new talent."

One Word Kill (2019)
(Impossible Times, book 1)
Mark Lawrence
"A completely absorbing tale that perfectly captures the fear, awkwardness, cynicism, and optimism of adolescence."

The Gutter Prayer (2019)
(Black Iron Legacy, book 1)
Gareth Hanrahan
"Compelling . . . rich with dark and original wonders."

Wrath of Gods (2018)
(Paternus, book 2)
Dyrk Ashton
"A refreshing take on contemporary fantasy-highly recommend."

Blackwing (2017)
(Raven's Mark, book 1)
Ed McDonald
"Blackwing quickly gained the rare distinction of being one of those books that felt as if it had been written especially for me...Ed McDonald handles the action with a deft hand and has created a compelling central character who remains likeable despite a lengthy list of flaws."

Beyond Redemption (2015)
(Manifest Delusions, book 1)
Michael R Fletcher
"Set in a world where madness equates to power, Michael R.Fletcher's Beyond Redemption is often as nightmarish as it isfascinating. An alarming, original and compulsive tale laced with a blackly comic sensibility. Highly recommended."

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