The Martyr

By: Anthony Ryan

Narrated by: Steven Brand

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.

"Ryan again showcases his gift for epic fantasy in his excellent sequel to The Pariah . . . . Ryan's evocative prose enhances the suspenseful, intricate story . . . .This fires on all cylinders."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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.

For more from Anthony Ryan, check out:

The Covenant of Steel

The Pariah

The Martyr

Raven's Shadow Trilogy

Blood Song

Tower Lord

Queen of Fire

Raven's Blade Duology

The Wolf's Call

The Black Song

The Draconis Memoria Trilogy

The Waking Fire

The Legion of Flame

The Empire of Ashes

©2022 Anthony Ryan (P)2022 Orbit

Remarkable, a real achievement.

This is probably the best sequel Anthony Ryan has written, at least for me. It built on everything in book one, and extended the story perfectly and without stumble. Wow. You owe it to yourself to read this series, or better yet, listen to it, as Steven Brand says every name far better than I’d read them in my head, and delivers the lines with an authenticity to the prose that, as an American, I just can’t compete with.

I’m hooked

Just enjoy this story so much. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Slow start, ends with a bang…. Literally

WOW! Ryan’s story telling is captivating in every way.
The story blends and turns quickly into a multilevel journey not only physically but mentally for our favored character, Scribe.

Witnessing events mold and shape these characters is a trick Ryan makes look easy.

Even though I found the first couple of chapters a bit slow, later the events in these chapters come into focus.
Excellent read and very entertaining on audiobook.
Recommend 5⭐️

Marvelous

"The Covenant of Steel" has got to be one of the greatest works of Dark Fantasy I have read in a decade. It started strong with "The Pariah", and Anthony Ryan surpassed himself with the second book in the trilogy. "The Martyr" was somehow an even stronger entry into the trilogy than the first book, and I am over eager to read the conclusion next year.
Steven Brand also deserves great accolades for his reading of the books, and I will definitely be looking for other stories he has narrated.

A wonderfully crafted tale…

Anthony Ryan continues to craft a wonderful and captivating tale.

The performance is well done and capture the imagination.

Starts out well, improves with every page

It is going to be agony waiting for the next installment. I know of very few writers who are as gifted and skilled in their prose storytelling, and fewer still who are capable of such masterful surprises in their world-building. A phenomenal writer and this series is just getting better and better (very much as his previous works have). The characters are brilliantly drawn and without repetition from series to series.

One of the things I like best in Ryan’s world, and character-building, is the way in which there is a hidden “understory” contained within both. His worlds are never what they seem initially to be, and his characters are never as simple as they seem.

Within the context of fantasy fiction, there are no more than 3 or 4 writers in the same class as Ryan. I envy anyone just now discovering his work. Read him and enjoy!

Great story

This story gives lots of twists and turns. I can’t wait to the hear the next book in this series.

Highly Entertaining Story

Anothony Ryan continues to pull me into his works and this series is no different, the characters and setting have helped me burn through the first two books of this trilogy in less than a month! Highly Recommended!

Amazing!

I l led this continuation of this saga. Just as good as the first book. Can’t wait till the epic conclusion!!!

Love Steven Brands voice

Anthony Ryan is a magnificent story teller, and when read by Steven Brand…. an incredible journey!