About the Author
Anthony Ryan is a British fantasy author who rose to prominence after self-publishing his debut novel, Blood Song, in 2011. The novel's extraordinary success—driven entirely by word-of-mouth and online reviews—led to a traditional publishing deal and established Ryan as one of the most exciting voices in epic fantasy. Born in Scotland, Ryan worked in various fields including research and data analysis before turning to writing full-time.
Blood Song, the first volume of the Raven's Shadow trilogy, follows Vaelin Al Sorna, a boy sent to train with a military order who grows into one of the most formidable warriors in the realm. The series is celebrated for its compelling protagonist, its intricate world-building, and its exploration of faith, loyalty, and the nature of destiny. The novel's self-published version accumulated thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads before its traditional publication, making it one of the most successful self-publishing success stories in fantasy.
Ryan has since expanded his bibliography with the Draconis Memoria trilogy, a secondary world fantasy featuring dragons and a colonial-era setting, and the Covenant of Steel series, a standalone epic fantasy. His work is known for its fast pacing, its morally complex characters, and its ability to subvert genre expectations. He lives in London and continues to write full-time.