Hi, I’m Anthony Ryan, writer of fantasy, science fiction and non-fiction.
After a long career in the British Civil Service I took up writing full time after the success of my first novel Blood Song, Book One of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy which has been purchased by Penguin US to be published in July 2013. I also continue to self-publish the Slab City Blues series of science fiction novellas.
You can contact me at anthonyryan27@hotmail.co.uk
So, I’m about 80% through Raven’s Shadow. KUDO’s to you! I am an avid Fantasy Reader..I read literally 4 or 5 books a month, must be my English Lit background…always been a voracious reader..Anyway, I have to say that this is on PAR with some of the best stuff I’ve read in the genre. I am more impressed with this (as a first volume in a series) than I was with “Name the Wind”..which I suspect you’ll find as high praise..and you should. I am really very concerned that I am going to have to wait a long time for the ensuing books in this series, so with that in mind, IF writing isn’t your day job, then I suggest you quit your day job, and start writing full time…you’re VERY good and more Fantasy readers need to read this story.
I read about two or three fantasy books a week. I don’t sleep much! I find myself sifting through the rubble often and I have to say that I really can’t wait to recommend this book. This book is literally a steal for the kindle and I can’t wait to read what comes next. Thank you for picking up the pen!
Just finished my 5th read through and I still can’t believe how awesome Blood Song is to read and re-read. Your book is the best book I have ever read! Thank you again!
Sir you have blown me away with your Blood Song. I anticipate great things from you and just want to offer all the encouragement I can to keep chugging away. I didn’t think I’d find another independent author I could compare with Michael J. Sullivan but you’ve out done yourself. Great work
Gods is Raven’s Shadow AMAZING. Quick, make the next book!
Thank you so much for Blood Song. You’ve done an amazing job. I can’t remember the last time I’ve enjoyed a book so much. I only wish I had discovered it 10 years from now so I could read the whole series without waiting
Second time through Blood Song. The book has only gotten better the second time through. Love the main character and his story. Clearly was worth the read again since it kept me up until 4 a.m. Cannot wait for the second novel!
Just finished Blood Song. It was absolutely superb, and ridiculously low priced on Amazon considering the length and quality of the book. You managed to combine echoes of David Gemmell at his best and the worldbuilding of someone like Robert Jordan or George RR Martin.
Congratulations on getting the Penguin deal in the US. As a fellow Brit (living in Liverpool, UK) I’m sorry to hear that the UK publishing agencies turned you down, but considering the rave reviews you’re getting all over the Internet, I suspect that situation will change fairly soon.
Can’t wait to get my digital hands on the second book. Good luck, and rest assured I’ll be putting up a similar review on Amazon.
Please finish this series! I still hold 15 years of loathing against Melanie Rawn for not publishing her third and final book in the Exiles trilogy(although the publisher kept saying it was coming year after year). Since that series there have only been a few books or series that have captured my attention with characters that I care about, well developed worlds I can picture and plots that keep me guessing. I am an avid sci-fi fantasy reader and read at least 1-4 books a week depending on family and kids. I almost didnt want this book to end! Keep up the great work! I can’t wait for the Towr Lord to come out. Though I think I’m with the other person that wishes it were ten years in the future so I can read the whole trilogy at once.
Ok so I loved blood song and it has defiantly made its way to my top ten books. I mean I couldn’t put it down, I badically said screw homework I’m reading this book (i rarely have hw and when I do it’s really easy). When do you think the sequel will be released? P.s. isn’t my grammar just amazing while I’m on the Internet???!!!?!??!?
Hi Karsten,
You’ll know when I do, but don’t expect it before summer of 2014.
Stay in school.
Really enjoyed Ravensong. Looking forward to book 2. Thank you for a good read.
Fantastic first book Sir! Right up there with best from Richard Morgan, Joe Abercrombie & Peter Brett. I have had several 3am finishes in reading it. As was said before, thank you for picking up the pen to begin with. I avidly await book number 2!
I am amazed, and kind of pissed
Why is it, that I always have the “luck” to find a good fantasy book before the other parts are also released? All this waiting really frustrates me.
My congratulations to you, Mr Ryan, for really blowing me away with the “Ravensong” book.
It’s definitely going to be my “books of the year 2013″-list although the year has just started.
Greetings from Vienna, Austria
I just finished reading your book Blood Song and I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to the sequels and I hope they come out very soon!
I really wanted to discuss the book with others who have read it but unfortunately I didn’t find many places on the internet where I can discuss your book. I was going to post on one of your blog posts about Blood Song but I noticed that you remove spoilers. Do you know any places on the internet where people actively discuss your books? I have found lot of reviews on Amazon, Good reads etc but hardly any discussions. Why not setup a discussion forum on your web site? I am sure lot of your readers will find it very useful!
Anyway thanks for a good book and keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words San.
Looking at the referral stats for my blog it seems there has been some discussion of the book on the following forums:
SFF World: http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?34957-Blood-Song-(Raven-s-Shadow-1)-by-Anthony-Ryan.
Fantasy Faction: http://fantasy-faction.com/forum/book-specific-(spoilers!)/blood-song-by-ryan-anthony/
Also some on Reddit if you’d care to search there.
Just beginning Blood Song. I was so stunned by my response to it that I had to come looking for the author…from one who can read, to one who can write!!!…S’wonderful!…S’marvelous!…thank you!
I’m a voracious reader and my fave genre is historical romance (yes, those trashy bodice-rippers w/ Fabio on the cover), but I enjoy good fiction in general. Since I only started reading sci-fi/fantasy a year and a half ago, I was able to happily breezebreeze through almost all of Jordan’s WoT and all 5 of Martin’s GoT. Reading “Blood Song” has been amazing! I can’t remember the last book I read that had me dreading the story’s end, but that is definitely the case with your novel. I’m 2/3 of the way through the story and already depressed that I won’t be able to immediately pick up the next book in the series.
Just wanted to stop by and say I truly enjoyed your ‘Blood Song’. Had fun reading it on my Kindle a while back and it’s been haunting me to check/search for book 2. So I finally come to your blog to look for news and so happy it’s on it’s way! Looking forward to the next one! Best wishes.
Anthony, wonderful to read Blood Song. Couldn’t put it down. Reminds me of Peter Moorwood, Gemmel et al. Gritty and amazing characters and I know that I will be waiting on baited breath for the next installment.
Just a quick question, please can we have more Slab City? After finishing Blood Song, I searched for your other stuff and really like it. As one of those who is constantly waiting for Asher, Morgan and Hamilton to publish, I now have another to add to the list. Great to see Brits doing good! Keep it coming, it’s great
Thanks Frank,
There will be a final Slab City Blues novel in due course, but it may be a while before it appears. In the meantime, please know your support is greatly appreciated.
No worries