The Pariah cover art

The Pariah

The Covenant of Steel, Book 1

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The Pariah

By: Anthony Ryan
Narrated by: Steven Brand
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About this listen

When the task is a killing, be quick and make sure of it.

Torment is an indulgence.

Save it for only the most deserving.

Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path - one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier's life in the king's army.

Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine's rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?

The Pariah begins a dark and bloody new fantasy epic from New York Times best-selling author Anthony Ryan, whose books have sold more than a million copies worldwide.

©2021 Anthony Ryan (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Scary

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Critic reviews

"A master storyteller." (Mark Lawrence)

"A gritty, heart-pounding tale of betrayal and bloody vengeance. I loved every single word." (John Gwynne)

"The Pariah is Anthony Ryan at his best. A fast-paced, brutal fantasy novel with larger-than-life characters and a plot full of intrigue and suspense." (Grimdark Magazine)
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Very good book for somebody looking for a medieval fantasy story. Narration was also very good.

Very enjoyable narrative.

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OMG this was so good i’m obsessed with Ryan’s writing style and I love Alwyn so much… I need to read the second book because that cliffhanger was just rude!

Cliffhanger!

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This book, and the sequel, was not at all what I was expecting. To me, that wasn't a bad thing, but may be to someone else. It's a very interesting take on a fantasy world in my opinion. I found the style of writing intruiging in and of itself, and seemed like a useful tool to the author.

This story is like a twisting river whos current pulls you along and you never know where you'll end up. Like I said, an interesting take on fantasy and more thought provoking than I'd expected.

Unexpected

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Very enjoyable, looking forward to the next book. Gory, but so is war. Interesting characters.

The Pariah

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I had heard the hype around this book and approached it cautiously, pleased to say the hype is true in this instance, it’s an excellent book and Steven Brand does a flawless narration

So much better than I feared

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Finished it in a couple of days, now the long wait for book 2.. Steven Brand as excellent as ever.

another good one

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Great read ....took me bk to ancient times of nobility, knights and Robin Hood action. lol
Looking forward to the next .

Excellent

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Great story palled me in and never let me go. Excited to hear the next book and the next.

great biscripton - detail -detail.

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Anthony Ryan's ability to tell a story is outstanding, made by the rich lore in a world that is expansive yet understandable with characters you know, love and hate all through fictitious words. The plot itself is gripping and contains twists telling of great care that Ryan has for this series. While battles are described with realism and care, some moments of combat are some what lacking in tension the book makes up for with purpose in every scene. Pace in the pages of this book is nature and the story moves on when you would expect but doesn't rush - as the detail is what makes the ending and overall arch satisfying, rewarding and, most importantly, interesting to the last word.

The Pariah is definitely worth reading, no matter in what form though the narrator, Steven brand, has a knack for performing the story as if it were written for him to tell.

Crafted Excellence

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Anthony Ryan is a masterful storyteller. This was difficult to put down. Don't be put off by one-star reviews written by those who find words hard. This is easy to follow, full of twists and turns, and packed with distinctive characters. My only disappointment is that I'll have to wait until July for the third one. I'm moving on to the second one without hesitation right now.

Superb

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