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  • A Tide of Black Steel

A Tide of Black Steel

Age of Wrath #1 / 3 ✓
by Anthony Ryan
A Tide of Black Steel (Age of Wrath #1) by Anthony Ryan
⧗ 8.00 / 1
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From the international bestselling author Anthony Ryan comes the spectacular first novel in a new epic new fantasy trilogy inspired by Norse mythology. 

A new age has dawned. An age of blood and steel. An age of wrath. 

The land of Ascarlia, a fabled realm of bloodied steel and epic sagas, has been ruled by the Sister Queens for centuries. No one has dared question their rule. 

Until now. 

Whispers speak of longships of mysterious tattooed warriors, sailing under the banners of a murderous cult of oath-breakers long thought extinct. A tide of black steel that threatens to vanquish all in its path. 

Thera of the Blackspear, favoured servant of the Sister Queens, is ordered to uncover the truth. As Thera sails north, her reviled brother, Felnir, sets out on his own adventure. He hopes to find the Vault of the Altvar – the treasure room of the gods – and win the Sister Queens’ favour at his sister’s expense. 

Both siblings – along with a brilliant young scribe and a prisoner with a terrifying, primal power – will play a part in the coming storm. 

The Age of Wrath has begun. 

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FantasyEpic FantasyHigh FantasyNorse Mythology
Release date: September 24, 2024

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Anthony Ryan

Anthony Ryan

Anthony Ryan’s name has become synonymous with epic fantasy that doesn’t just create worlds, but breathes life into them. Known for his intricate storytelling and deeply complex characters, Ryan’s works resonate with readers who crave more than just escapism—they want a story that challenges their perceptions and stays with them long after the final page.

Born in 1970 in Scotland, Ryan’s path to becoming a full-time writer was far from conventional. He worked in the British Civil Service for many years, but his passion for storytelling was never far from the surface. It wasn’t until 2011, when he self-published his debut novel Blood Song, that Ryan’s writing career truly began to take off. The book quickly found an enthusiastic audience, and its success led to a three-book deal with Penguin Books just a year later, marking the beginning of his rise in the fantasy world.

Read more ...

The Raven’s Shadow series, starting with Blood Song, introduced readers to Vaelin Al Sorna, a warrior monk caught between the brutality of war and his own moral compass. The book’s gripping action, morally gray characters, and deep exploration of power, sacrifice, and destiny quickly earned it a loyal fanbase. Ryan’s ability to blend high-stakes drama with introspective character development became a hallmark of his writing style.

But Ryan isn’t just a one-series wonder. His Draconis Memoria trilogy takes a bold leap into the realm of epic fantasy with a touch of steampunk and high adventure, tackling themes of colonialism, exploitation, and the politics of power. In The Seven Swords and The Covenant of Steel, Ryan continues to demonstrate his range, delving into new mythologies and exploring how personal choices shape the course of history.

Throughout his career, Ryan’s stories have remained grounded in the human experience, no matter how fantastical the setting. His writing doesn’t just focus on the grand battles or the magic that shapes his worlds, but on the emotional and ethical struggles of those caught in the midst of them. Readers come for the dragons and the duels, but they stay for the journey of characters like Vaelin, whose internal conflicts often mirror the external ones he faces.

Ryan’s works are not just celebrated for their epic scope, but for the emotional weight they carry. Whether he’s writing about the blood-soaked fields of a battlefield or the delicate politics of an empire, his books resonate with readers who appreciate both action and depth. With a growing catalog of novels and a steadily expanding fanbase, Anthony Ryan is a name to watch in the realm of fantasy, where he continues to push boundaries and craft tales that explore the true cost of heroism.

Age of Wrath

In the Age of Wrath, the echoes of ancient gods and the clash of empires reverberate across a world on the brink of chaos. This series pulls readers into a land where power is not just sought but fought for with every drop of blood. With intricate world-building, deeply flawed characters, and an atmosphere thick with tension, the Age of Wrath offers a narrative that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

Read more ...

At the heart of the series lies a complex web of political intrigue, divine machinations, and a society teetering between revolution and destruction. As old alliances fracture and new threats arise, individuals from every corner of the world must confront their own ambition, loyalty, and fate. Whether it’s the vengeance of a fallen hero, the burden of hidden knowledge, or the rise of an unexpected champion, every character’s journey is marked by personal sacrifice and moral ambiguity.

Ryan’s world is as unforgiving as it is richly detailed, drawing on influences of myth and history to create a brutal, yet beautiful landscape. The land is shaped by gods whose presence is felt in every battle, every betrayal, and every whispered prayer. Each book in the Age of Wrath series unfolds with the kind of deliberate pacing that allows the stakes to rise steadily, drawing readers deeper into its world until they can’t help but be swept away by its relentless tide of events.

From the first page to the last, the Age of Wrath isn’t just about fighting for power—it’s about the price of it, the toll it takes on the soul, and whether the very nature of ambition can destroy everything it touches. Fans of epic fantasy and high-stakes adventures will find themselves riveted by a series that doesn’t just tell a story—it shapes a new world with every turn of the page.


Age of Wrath consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

A Tide of Black Steel (Age of Wrath #1)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Born of an Iron Storm (Age of Wrath #2)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
Upon the Forge of Battle (Age of Wrath #3)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


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