’Battle shall be our glory’

A Tide of Black Steel is the complex and immersive first book in Anthony Ryan’s new Age of Wrath trilogy. While I initially planned to start my reading of Ryan’s books with his debut series, Raven’s Shadow, when I saw this book on Netgalley I just HAD to give it a try. Needless to say, I’m very happy that I did!

A Tide of Black Steel follows the points of view of four characters; Thera, a renowned warrior and Vellhir of Justice for the powerful Sister Queens, her brother Fulnir, disgraced murderer and exile on the path to regain his honour, Ruhlin, a captured slave and man with the powers of a monster in his blood, and Elvine, a learned scholar, heretic and woman in search of the mysterious lost treasures of the Gods. Each has a significant role to play in the fate of Ascarlia, as a looming threat rises in the distant Fire Isles.

The writing here is just superb, very reminiscent to me of John Gwynne, and kept my undivided attention whenever I was reading. While the build-up to the ‘action’ and overall storyline is slow, especially within part one, the pay-off is worth it, with a plot that unravels to be something utterly immersive and gripping by this books conclusion.

Ascarlia, while based on our real Viking-age history, still manages to toe the line between inspiration and uniqueness, something that I am forever impressed by. The history is rich, religions both intricate and vivid, and I was very impressed by the way in which Ryan explains his world-building in clear and engaging detail, without ever slipping into information-dumping.

To conclude this review, I would just like to discuss the main four protagonists in a little more detail.

Thera, the Black Spear
My favourite point of view throughout the story, Thera is a strong voice in the narrative, and a compelling lead. Her task, to understand and bring to justice the devastation that plagues the Outer Isles, was incredibly immersive throughout. I enjoyed her rapport with her crew, particularly her relationship with the mysterious Lynnea. I cannot wait to see more of her story in the next instalment, especially after that ending!

Fulnir, the Redtooth
Fulnir acted as well-needed opposition to the calm and calculating nature of Thera, being the much more hard-headed sibling. Even so, I enjoyed his character quite a lot, and the parallels in how he ran his outlaw crew compared to Thera’s more law-abiding one. His story was not one I particularly was taken by, but his ending was certainly intriguing, and I am looking forward to seeing where his story goes. I’m just not a fan of the treasure-hunting trope in fantasy books, so his plot was at a disadvantage throughout.

Ruhlin, the Fire Blood
Definitely up there in terms of enjoyment alongside Thera’s plot, Ruhlin is probably my favourite character in the story so far. He is incredibly sympathetic, and I will forever be a massive fan of quiet but deadly characters with keen minds. His powers of a mysterious and unknown origin served to fuel some pretty gnarly but well-done battle scenes, and I think I will come to love his little troupe of misfits in the coming books. It was great to see the people of the Fire Isles through a first-person perspective, and not just as the vaguely dangerous threat they are in the other points of view. His chapters helped develop the overall narrative ten-fold.

Elvine, the Heretic Scribe
My least favourite character and point of view in the story, Elvine’s purpose in my opinion wasn’t very engaging until the 50% mark. Once her journey combined with another one of the main four, it was only then that I came to like her plot, and I don’t believe that is based on the own merits of her character. I found her a little dull, and she is what brought the rating of this book down for me. While I will always appreciate a strong and intelligent female point of view, it is hard to have much interest in Elvine’s when we already have Thera, a much more engaging character! I hope to see improvement in the next instalment, but once again, with THAT ending, I’m sure I will.

Overall, A Tide of Black Steel gets 4/5 stars. While I would wholly recommend reading Ryan’s Covenant of Steel trilogy first (as this series is set in the same world, 20 years later), do not worry about facing spoilers in this for that series, as there are none. It will, however, make some of the references and little details, have more impact for those that have, as I know I was missing out a little when they were made!

thank you to Netgalley and the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

This was just SUPERB!!

Told from a number of different character POVs, we get to experience a norse-like world where sea-faring armies, hulk-like transformations, quests for mystical weapons, and treachery run rife!

Anthony Ryan has created an engaging, exciting and often gruesome new series which I cannot wait to continue. From the very start, I was hooked, with revelations teased so beautifully. The fantasy elements are extremely well crafted, with their slow and subtle introductions creating a thrilling story.

A brilliant start to the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for my copy of this novel!

This reads very well and is action-packed from the start, but for some reason I couldn't stick with it. I'm pretty sure I'll return to try again, but it's not suiting my mood right now, so it's been put aside. I will review in due course as and when I continue and finish, just not the right time for me - apologies.

"A Tide of Black Steel" was a great read: The plot moved at a nice pace, the cast of characters felt diverse and well-rounded, and the ending really blindsided me.

I am already looking forward to reading the next part in the series and seeing where it goes.

I really enjoyed this and I got into the story pretty quickly. The world felt big and interesting but I did find some of the place names and religions etc a bit hard to remember what was what, I kind of just mentally checked out of remembering and just suspended disbelief and kept going.
There’s a good mix of action and quieter character moments, and it kept me wanting to read more every time I picked it up.
It took me a little while to get through, just because life got in the way, but I was always excited to get back to it. Definitely planning to read the next one, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes epic fantasy that’s a bit more serious and grounded.

A rip-roaring start to a new epic fantasy series that got it's claws into you on page 1 and doesn't let you go until the very end. Bring on book 2!

This was my first dabble into Anthony Ryan and it did not disappoint, I love a good norse high fantasy but I wish I had read the first series to get a better feeling of the world (my own fault). This will be next on my list followed by a re read as I think that will enrich the experience.

You can tell he has cut his teeth already as I was tucked in from the start and the world building was great, I look.forward to the development of the characters in the next one I felt this was just a warm up book but that's to be expected

Your next Norse, sea faring fantasy fix!

Thera is the Vellihr of Justice for Ascarlia, sent to investigate rumours of rebellion.
Felnir, lesser brother to Thera’s renown. Disgraced and unhappily forced in his great-grandfather's service.

Elvine, daughter to Ascarlian librarian Berine Jurest (!!!! Covenant of Steel !!!) ends up working for the Sister Queens, rulers of Assarlia. after being arrested at a Covenant rite, a practice not tolerated in Ascarlia.

Ruhlin, a young fisherman, is stolen from his home by raiders where he discovers a rage which makes him near invincible. The name Fire Blood follows him.

Our big baddies are cult of the Volkrath who believe themselves inheritors of the blood of the Ultvar, the first race of men set upon the earth by the Worldsmith.
Their mission is basically our version of Hitler’s perfected, best gene vision.

<b>We sought power, and we found it. But power is like a flame: it warms but it also burns.
</b>
There are a lot of characters as you have noticed. However, they are all so distinct with very different quests and journeys that it is easy to distinguish them.

Ryan has always been great at writing deeper and dark characters. For example, both Elvine and Ruhlin, both stolen from their homes, grapple with self-recrimination, fury, hatred warring with fear and self-perseverance.

If you thought you had tumultuous relations with your siblings, wait until you meet Felnir and Thera. One is condemned to ignoble skulking at the other steals all glory. I liked that it was the sister that had the honour in the eyes of the public as this is not normally so!

<b>"What's that Alberic word, Margnus? The one for those who make a living by enmeshing folk in the vast, contradictory web of their customs?"
"I believe the term is 'lawyer', my queen," the Tielwald supplied.
</b>
Finally, I would be remiss to not mention his amazing world-building as he stretches his world of the Covenant of Steel in a Scandinavian/Norse-inspired part of the world twenty years on.

You don’t have to have read CoS to understand this series, but you might miss Easter eggs and you might struggle with some information dumps. Also, the revelations will make your jaw drop in shock, excitement, and satisfaction.

I would recommend this if you enjoyed The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne.

Thank you to Orbit for providing an arc in exchange for a review!

A Tide of Black Steel kicks of with groups of seemingly unconnected characters and events taking place. This sets up plot points all over the place that you know somewhere must connect and A Tide of Black Steel delights from the start in dropping little nuggets around that will keep you guessing as to how the plots and characters connect. This adds a aura of great puzzlement from the start as you try to leap ahead and work out how everything slots together! The story picks up plot points from the previous book but at the same time is set in a different area so it will keep you guessing as to to what ties in or not.

As the story progresses you get to be introduced to the various characters from Thera Blackspear who works with the Sister Queens and is their Vellihr of Justice, her brother Felnir who has been declared a exile. Needless to point out they don not get along though both are absolutely convinced they are in the right, Elvine, who happens to be the daughter of the Ascarlian librarian Berine Jurest who gets pushed into helping out the Sister Queens, Ruhlin who get taken from his village but has fire blood in him that transforms him when he loses it into a being that is almost impossible to stop unless you have a tranquillizers and/or handy magic to hand amongst a constant stream of new characters that you always find yourself wondering how they are going to fit into what is going on! As we get to learn their backstories and why they are doing what they are doing the connections that they have to each other and events start to become clearer. This is neatly handled as we as we start to see things coming together. This forms a complex mesh of motivations and alliances that you do not realise straight away exist further adding to the mysteries that are going on. At the same time though the plot has more lots upon plots and as it is revealed and the commonalities between the characters are revealed things are really take in directions that you would not expect making you check for any name drops or information that may shed light on things.

The Sister Queens are cleverly portrayed though you are immediately suspicious of their motivations. Sister Lore and her mysterious origins immediately makes her suspect but the others seem to always be playing a game close to their chests as well so even though you get vibes off them you do not know at the start exactly what they are up to in term of their plans. There are nuggets spread throughout though from the outset that are dropped in that certainly give you clues as to what is initially up though and this seeding of information is cleverly handled and keeps you guessing from the start. There are number of signs that things may not be as stable in their reign as you would expect. At the same time the exiled characters clearly have a part to play and the revelation regarding them are brilliantly handled and come with right turns to their character arks that you will not see coming. A Tide of Black Steel cleverly deals with older plot lines but at the same time neatly sets up news ones that are like a can of worms and you are never sure from the outset which way the plots are going to take. Ryan loves to put his characters through the wringer and this shows on every page. Whenever a characters gets comfortable they are off into a different direction to what they expect. This keeps you on you toes trying to guess where every thing is going to go.

Felnir and Sygna and their encounters with Wohtin while on the questing this one being for the Vault of the Altvar where there may be treasure and this takes things in a completely different direct than what you are expecting. The epic world building drips off the page really surprising you in where the book is taking the characters. Felnir right turn in cleverly handled as is Sygna’s reaction to it. This puts Felnir and Sygna on a different footing and in direction opposition to the Sister Queens. How Felnir and Sygna deal with this is neatly handled and at the same time sets their questing on a different level. This makes perfect sense though with the character and keeps the book expanding. The revival of an ancient empire is neatly handled and really deals with old plots and sets up new ones. We also have Wohtin’s story expanded on with glimpses as to what he is. At the same time the character of Ruhlin is also getting a band together and you get the distinct impression of things coming together. At the same time it is very apparent that Aleida is going to be a large part in up coming events. The two of them clearly make a great team. The gang that Ruhlin and Aleida have got themselves is clearly the making of an army. Given the invasion coming Nihvalrians, who are a bunch of fanatics from across the ocean, it is clear that the Nihvalrians are on the hop as things are taken n a totally different and whole new direction to what they were expecting. They are most certainly going to be facing something that they were certainly not expecting from the rear of their lines. Really cleverly set up! These are all cleverly handled set up that you spot but you do not know which way things are going to go. Ancient lands and discoveries abound and A Tide of Black Steel keep things coming thick and fast. This is all handled cleverly while still tying into old plots setting up new ones. Whole lands keep getting added which really propels the plot forward and keeps you guessing as anything can happen on every page.

A Tide of Black Steel neatly sets up events as well as introducing us to new characters we are also shown epic world building as more unknown empires are revealed as they come into contact with each other. We have the classic situation of a people who reckon they are superior ostentatiously encountering people they call savages. This though in keeping with the twists sharp turning plot points is set to up nicely to reverse this situation as the book delight is throwing things on their head from the beginning.

A Tide of Black Steel by Anthony Ryan Review will keep you up late seeing which way things are going. It is full of creatively luring the reader into guessing what is going to happen to have things thrown up in the air leaving you guess where everything is going to land. A Tide of Black Steel from the start will keep you guessing as to which way things are going to from the three-dimensional characters, who definitely have their own motivations, to the epic world building that brings in new lands and peoples, the constant revelations that put the characters in new contexts hat also plays into the humour that also that permeates the book as different characters have to learn to get along which provides some cleverly insights on all of them! From the outset there is the relentless adventure that flows constantly from the beginning that never lets the A Tide of Black Steel let up keeping you on your toes that neatly works with the visceral action.

A Tide of Black Steel delight in keeping you guessing from the very beginning! The epic event never let up keeping you on your toes from the start. The interconnectivity under everything is cleverly handled as well as you have to work out the connections between everything that need to be worked out but things in a different light indeed. A Tide of Black Steel work brilliantly keeping the mystery and plot revelations coming. It is full of plot twists that you won’t see coming plot twists taking thing in unexpected direction, full of unbridled heroics and morally variable characters, epic world building from the start, constant adventure as we explore new place and unrelenting action from the start. Get it when you can!