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 human and arcane forces gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?
Sometimes trying to describe the style or quality of an author’s prose is a tricky proposition for me. I don’t always feel super qualified to do so, or else I struggle to find the right words. At the same time, there are certain authors who write in a way that just stands out, or really makes an impression.
To me, the word that’s always sprung to mind when reading Anthony Ryan’s books is sturdy. And while THE PARIAH is certainly as soundly written as anything else I’ve read by Ryan, the first person narration in this one really makes for a much different reading experience! This is a fantastic start to a new series, and a book that’s stayed with me long after the last page.
Alwyn Scribe is our main character and narrator. Orphaned and abandoned at a young age, Alwyn was taken under the wing of Deckin Scarl, leader of a large band of outlaws. Deckin takes a keen interest in Alwyn, which allows him to rise through the ranks rather quickly. This is much to the chagrin of several other members of Deckin’s gang. But Alwyn is smart, likable, and more than capable with a blade. And while he is far from a typical fantasy novel hero, over the course of this novel we see Alwyn prove time & time again that he’s a crafty survivor.
Alwyn’s path from orphaned outlaw to soldier in the king’s army is a twisty one, filled with betrayals and deceptions. And a fair bit of stabbiness.
Some of the secondary characters that Alwyn befriends are definitely worth mentioning. For me, Toria was the most notable. The circumstances under which Alwyn and Toria meet are less than ideal, but they form this really special yet twisted friendship. Toria is pragmatic almost to the point of pessimism/nihilism, and she’s also fucking hilarious and one of the all-time great swearers. Love Toria, a whole lot.
While THE PARIAH isn’t jam packed with action sequences and battles, when they pop up they are visceral & brutal affairs. Like…goddamn. There are some gruesome & bloody scenes here, to be sure. This book is also very light on magic/supernatural elements, which I’m always a big fan of. It just makes those moments where weird/magic things happen feel even cooler!
THE PARIAH is a great start to a new series. This is a harsh & occasionally grim world that Anthony Ryan has created, but the darker aspects of the story are balanced out with plenty of humor & likable characters. I am VERY eager to catch up with Alwyn Scribe in the next book of THE COVENANT OF STEEL!
Huge thanks to Orbit for the copy!! THE PARIAH releases August 24th!
Grimdark Dad 