Anthony Ryan is a famous author from The United Kingdom who likes to write novels based on the History, Science Fiction, and Fantasy genres along with Graphic novels. He was born in the year 1970 in Scotland and has spent most of his growing days in London. He has lived and worked in London his entire life. Anthony used to work for the British Civil Service, a job that has given him a long career, different from being an author. Anthony Ryan is particularly known for his Raven’s Shadow series, which consists of three very interesting novels. After the success of his first novel in the series, he took up writing as a full time career. As of today, Anthony devotes most of his time in writing different categories of novels throughout the day.
Anthony has a degree in history. Besides, he has a particular interest in arts and science. He is also very fond of ale and very often has the unending quest for a perfect pint of real ale. Ryan’s fantasy novels are basically based on the life of the main character Vaelin Al Sorna. During the initial days of his writing career, Ryan had to self-publish his books as he was not a known personality. However, with the success of his first book ‘Blood Song’, he was frequently approached by various publishing houses for publishing his future books. He landed a great deal with the Penguin Books who offered him a 3 book deal in the year 2012. Even today, Ryan continues to self-publish a separate series of novellas. After publishing three highly successful novels under the Raven’s Shadow series, Ryan is about to release the fourth one any time soon. Apart from the Raven’s Shadow series, he has also published another series of novels known by the name, ‘Slab City Blues’. This series consists of a total of four different novels. Ryan describes himself belonging to the hybrid writers’ category. His career as a British Civil Servant lasted for twenty years.
The first book written by Anthony Ryan under the Raven’s Shadow series was titled ‘Blood Song’, which was published by Anthony Ryan in the year 2012. The novel depicts an epic saga of blood, destiny and honor. The plot of the novel is set in a fictional world where The Sixth Order holds the sword of justice and keeps the enemies of the Realm and Faith away. The novel starts with the introduction of the main character Vaelin Al Sorna, who was left by his father at the iron gate of the realm of Sixth Order when was only 10 years old, to join the army of the realm in fighting against the evils. The citizens of the Sixth Order are referred to as Brothers who are devoted to join the battle and fight against the enemies. Hence, Vaelin also gets trained in an extremely hard manner to celibate and austere the life as a Warrior of the Faith, which is considered to be a dangerous job.
As his father had left him to join the battle, he is left with no family and has the only aim of serving the Faith and save the Sixth Order. His father served for the King Janus as the Battle Lord. King Janus was the ruler of the realm, which remained unified in his regime. Being dropped at the gate of the Sixth Order at a very young age and deprived of his birthright of having a nurturing father had made him enraged and furious, which knew no bounds. Vaelin often tries to remember the memories of his mother. He was going to be confounded by learning about her mother at the Order. His father expects him to understand his motive behind leaving him for the battle. The fact that Vaelin Al Sorna was destined to have a glorious future, overpowers all the other truths of his life. He is yet to comprehend his destined future, which will change the realm as well as the world.
The next book written by Anthony Ryan under the Raven’s Shadow series was titled ‘Tower Lord’, which was published in the year 2014 by Ace Hardcover publishing house. The plot of the novel continues from the first novel with the life description of the main character, Vaelin Al Sorna. Vaelin had a sense that the ingling recognition in the first novel, having an impression of safety, was about to welcome him home. He is introduced as the greatest warrior of the Sixth Order, known as the Darkblade. He has also witnessed the greatest defeat of all time of his nation when King Janus was defeated in trying to fulfill his vision of a Greater Unified Realm.
The army of King Janus drowned in the blood of its warriors, who were fighting for a cause not knowing that the idea of having a unified realm was based on a lie. Vaelin was aware of the lie and was very much depressed because of the defeat. He returns to his home with the determination of not going to kill any more. He was named as the Tower Lord of the Norther Reaches by the grateful heir of King Janus. However, he thinks of spending his life in a colder and more peaceful land away from the violent realm. But, being a warrior of the realm he is not destined to lead a quiet and peaceful life. The enemies were aware of the fact the Vaelin was destined with special powers and therefore, he was constantly on their target as they knew that he could destroy them.
The Faith gets a new King, who was considered weak by the subjects. He had a sister who was strong and determined to lead from the front. The blood -song had a powerful and guiding sense in the times of trouble. However, it had only a fraction of the power is available to those who understand its mysteries. Vaelin is on the lookout of commanding mighty forces that move inside the Realm and pose a great threat to it. Even though he does not want to take up the sword again, Vaelin has not choice but to do so, even though he would regret it later. It is a common practice it the Realm that when the danger of annihilation poses threat, even the most reluctant ones have to draw the sword eventually in order to safeguard the Realm.
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