My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
As this is the final book in this excellent series, I deliberately took my time reading and savouring every single page. The Author is a master storyteller, an expert of the genre. Clever descriptive imaginative and intelligent writing of the highest order, engaging from first to last page with plenty of gruesome action along the way. How the Author keeps track of all the characters and worlds they visit is beyond me, I certainly struggle to keep up. However this in no way spoils my enjoyment.
The great news on his notes the Author hints of more to come.
Completely and utterly recommended.

4.75/5 stars! Anthony Ryan does it again. This is the third book in the "Covenant of Steel" series. What a finale! The betrayal in this story wrecked me and yet I couldn't stop reading it. The only detractor is that there are developments in this story that kind of invalidate parts of book 2. Watching Alwyn struggle with his feelings for Evadine was tear-jerking and the ending was wildly satisfactory.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

The Traitor is the final book in the Covenant of Steel saga by Anthony Ryan and what a conclusion! It has taken me a while to finish this series but once I picked up The Traitor I quickly sped through it.

Lord Alwyn Scribe remains at Evandine’s side building her army and following her demands blinded by his love for her. As Evandine’s actions become more extreme Alwyn has to decide what he is willing to do when forces show him alternative paths.

There are bloody battles, military politics, ghosts, creatures and so much I can’t say without giving too much away.

It was a satisfying conclusion that kept me gripped right to the end.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed for the BFS by Elloise Hopkins.

THE TRAITOR by Anthony Ryan. Orbit Books. h/b. £22.
Reviewed by Elloise Hopkins.

Alwyn Scribe remains at Evadine’s side, his feelings for her burning brightly even as he battles to hide from her the truth of her survival. Loyal, steadfast to her cause, he must now help her to become Ascendant Queen and ensure peace. Her followers are growing in number but there are still those who oppose everything she stands for. The fight is far from over.

If Alwyn and the Lady Courlain are to succeed then one thing is absolutely clear: they will need to increase their forces. Alwyn will have to reach out to his former allies and gather as many warriors as he can, but will Lorine, now Duchess of the Shavine Marches, be willing to lend her warriors to Evadine’s cause? And who can Alwyn really trust, when all is said and done?

The Traitor is the concluding part of Ryan’s The Covenant of Steel series and rounds off the trilogy with the same strength of narrative voice and depth of detail that we have come to expect from this author. The description is unwaveringly rich and immersive, and with an influx of new characters Alwyn’s continuing journey is full of tension and twists.

The stand outs in this novel are these new characters who come with their own dubious intentions and morals, adding colour and more than a few obstacles to Alwyn’s path. Much page time is spent exploring the Caerith as their role in the story unfolds. The mysteries of the Sack Witch and her people add another new dynamic which raises the stakes as the trilogy reaches its end.

From the very start of this series, Alwyn has been an endearing, intelligent, captivating, and at times immensely frustrating protagonist, and by the end of the trilogy his character – perfections and flaws alike – have their hooks firmly into the reader. We feel his every hesitation, his every heart-wrenching dilemma along with him, and he will remain one of the most powerful narrative voices of modern, epic fantasy. A fitting end to what has been a truly brilliant trilogy.

This is the third instalment in The Covenant of Steel series.

Anthony Ryan consistently proves himself a king in the fantasy genre and the conclusion to this epic trilogy is another example of just why that is. Without giving away any spoilers know this brings together each facet that defies traditional fantasy and yet still consistently delivers thrills and unseen plot twists that leave the reader as reeling as the fates of each of these beloved characters do.

A gripping conclusion to this epic fantasy trilogy! I like how the author wrapped up most of the plot points and didn’t find it too neat for fantasy - it was well done. I also like how he’s teasing his next series which is definitely going to feature Alwyn and Evadines son - looking forward to reading it!

This was as epic and fantastic as I had hoped it would be.

There were parts in the middle of the book which I found a bit boring but other than that this book had a break neck pace filled with non stop action sequences and so much political and religious upheaval. The writing as usual is introspective and helps create a feeling of dread for what is to come.

Alwyn as a character has come a long way from where he began as an outlaw. And what a journey it has been, there were times when I truly wanted to strangle him but his charming personality made me root for him throughout the ups and down of this story. The ending was great and that foreshadowing for the futures books definitely left me wanting for more.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

I didnt manage to finish this book, but i plan on updating this review once i do. Hoping for an epic conclusion to an epic series.

Another satisfying conclusion by Anthony Ryan. Ryan manages to awe his readers with gruesome and satisfying battles and storytelling.

The Covenant of Steel trilogy is truly an excellent series.



I recently finished The Traitor, which was an excellent conclusion to the series, and I’m very much hoping to see more readers find the series now it is completed.

It’s always hard to review a book 3 of a series. How can you talk about it without giving spoilers to books 1 & 2? You can’t, is the answer.

The truth is people only want to know one thing. Did it get the ending right? Did the story carry you through to the end?

The answer is, yes, it did. The ending was excellent. The story was unexpected. Tense. Magical. Dark.



The Pariah and The Martyr were so good, I expect most readers who’ve finished the first two to read The Traitor.

So then, I will write this review more as a series overview so that new readers can ponder if this is for them.



In terms of genre, this is very much low fantasy. The world feels like the dark ages in Europe. Joan of Arc inspires the story. So does Robin Hood (don’t be expecting any men in tights though). The kingdoms are restless, constantly at war, or agitating. And the religion – which worships the seraphile, has a strong hold on the people and the monarchy.

What happens then when a woman preacher begins to find a following? What happens when her voice and sermons cause huge numbers of people to follow her? What happens when a man in her company has a gift that tells him when people lie?

The magic is subtle. No wands. No dragons. But it is there. Ancient and almost forgotten, but not by all. And this made for an intriguing melting pot. We meet both paupers and kings. Warriors and pirates. The cast is eclectic and characters weave in and out of the story.

The story is always Alwyn’s. A lowly forest bandit whose talents cause him to rise high in a world that has never cared for him. He has a great voice and through his eyes, we see chaos unfold. The story isn’t in a rush though, and as such Anthony Ryan is able to ratchet up the tension chapter by chapter.



In short, I think this is the best finished series of the 2020s so far. It is a series I will read again. And I have to say, given how seldom I reread books, that there can be no higher compliment than this.

The Traitor by Anthony Ryan

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

How do you process, reconcile with the knowledge that the person you love, the person you've dedicated years of your life to - the person you have killed for - is not the hero of the story, but the villain?

How far are you willing to go to right a wrong that is largely of your making?

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the Covenant of Steel trilogy. The Traitor was one of my most anticipated reads of this year and most certainly did not disappoint.

The plot is intricate, vast, and immersive, but the characters - this is where Ryan excels. Morally grey, you most definitely can not call Alwyn Scribe a hero - nor do I think, would he want you to. The trilogy serves as his retelling of his life - with all of the darkness as well as the light.

This book in particular, looks to explore changing ideology and how that can impact on even the most solid of friendships. It's complex and fascinating, thought-provoking even. One can't help (well, I couldn't help!) but make parallels to current and past dictators, and I found the dynamics between those who see the person for who they are, and those still in their thrall utterly riveting.

I can't recommend this trilogy enough. Also - let's take a moment to appreciate that cover!

This was a really satisfying and compelling conclusion to a very good series. I thought the arc that Alwyn went on through the book was fascinating and the doubt he suffered felt authentic. The plot was very tightly woven and the action was gritty and brutal. Definitely not as battle-heavy as book 2, this focused more on the spiritual aspects of the world and consequently, we got a lot of answers to questions raised throughout the series, which I really appreciated. Overall, I enjoyed the trilogy very much and this final book was probably my favourite.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A fitting end to a fantastic series, though I felt curiously disengaged at times for reasons that I’m not quite sure of.
Alwyn has his doubts about what Evadine is doing. Her certainty is zealous, but there’s a cruelty to it that he fears does not have wholly natural means. He questions her decisions and realises that he is going to have to turn traitor. Yet he realises that the child he and Evadine have had together is going to be important in some way.
Ryan once again writes in a way that sweeps you up. We begin with a welcome recap, see Alwyn’s growing concerns with what is happening, experience strange dream-like sequences as Alwyn is shown things that he is compelled to seek out and some glorious battle scenes. There’s plenty of characters who get the chance to develop and it was hard not to admire the plotting of the story, ending in a fascinating conflict between Evadine and the sack witch.
Yet throughout I found myself rather detached from what I was reading. This may well be because of other circumstances that made it hard for me to really lose myself in the story. It took a lot longer for me to read than I would normally have taken, so it is perhaps testimony to the writing quality that whenever I picked this up I found myself plunged straight back in to whatever was taking place. For this reason I’d give 4.5 stars.

“Those who thought themselves brave and faithful often find they are neither.”

I knew
I KNEW
I knew it was coming
I was waiting for this from the second book
I knew it
But still
It HURT
So much...

"This portion of my testament is now at an end, ...
The tale of Alwyn Scribe, outlaw, murderer, sometime knight and, I like to think, scholar of some renown, would have been told."

I read the three books of Covenant of Steel this year and I can honestly say that this was one of the best fantasy series I ever read! Alwyn Scribe is a rare character I think I know him, became like a friend to me.

“You and women, Alwyn. It was never a good mix.”

The tale of Alwyn starts with "The Pariah", as a name can talk this was exactly what it is, then we company "The Martyr", and I still wonder at what happened to "The Traitor".

“knowing I should feel guilty, but didn’t. To face what lay ahead I would need all my friends. The guilt came later, and the weight of it still brings me low so many years on.”

The last tale of Alwyn Scribe is now beyond vengeance, many are not here anymore to see what he's going to do, at heart, he is still an outlaw and, among outlaws, betrayal has but one punishment.
“I used to do a lot of things better, like not getting my friends killed. Not as much, anyways.”

I think anything I would say becomes spoilers in one way or another for those who didn't read this book or the entire series.
This series became better and better with each book, the testimony of Alwyn the outlaw who became a scribe, then a knight is genuine and his journey is more tragedy than triumph.

“Would there be any point to it, if I did?” I asked her. “For I fancy hating you would be like hating the rain or the wind. You simply are.”

My huge thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read The Traitor, Book Three of the Covenant of Steel by Anthony Ryan. I have given my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for an honest review.

Ever since the release of Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, I've become a massive fan of his. It is unfortunate that his sequels to the Raven's Shadow Trilogy did not reach the same highs as his first book. On re-read though they are not as bad as they would seem.

Starting a new Anthony Ryan trilogy is always exciting for me. He is always able to grip me within the first few chapters. This book was no exception. Did this book reach the highs of Blood Song? Probably not, but it does come close. I’m definitely hopeful that he will write more books in this world, as Alwyn’s adventures are far from over.

I give the entire trilogy a 5/5. If you have the chance, do yourself the favour and read the trilogy. It is definitely worth a read.

The Traitor is the third (and final?) book in the Covenant of Steel book. You’ll need to have read the other books in the series before embarking on this one or it will make absolutely no sense. For existing readers, there is a much appreciated recap at the beginning of the novel of events thus far.

This time round, we follow Alwyn’s realisation that, far from being a saint, Evadine is in fact the embodiment of evil. The book didn’t quite work for me – partly because Evadine appeared from the very start to be a fanatical maniac to me, partly because when it does arrive, Alwyn’s change of heart seems very abrupt. Ultimately, I’m not sure character of Evadine is grey enough for the storyline to feel fully authentic.

Not everyone will feel the same. I suspect if you adored the first two books in the series you’ll find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The final volume in the “Covenant of Steel” trilogy. Alwyn Scribe is our narrator who has moved from his origins as an outlaw, to being a Knight to Lady Evadine Courlain in her battle to take down the evil rulers of the Kingdom. But, as we discovered at the end of the second book, all may not be as it appears and our Scribe may have invested his time and love in the wrong person.
I was grateful for the recap at the start of the book, I needed it to bring me back into a complex world with many characters. And it took a little while to get going, but about half way through it really started going as everything started coming together. Or not.
For the first two books I wasn’t sure about Alwyn, I didn’t know if he had an agenda or what his real goal was, this final book clarifies things while bringing in darker elements of fantasy.
It’s a book of good and evil and the blurred lines of devotion to them both, and it’s another enthralling book from the author.

When last we left Alwyn Scribe, he was loyal to Evadine but, very early on in this book he comes to realise that she is not in fact the Messiah, she’s a very naughty girl. This leads him to start to actively fight against her.

The Traitor is a very fitting conclusion to the series. It wraps the story up very nicely and has some pretty good twists and turns along the way to keep the reader interested. Evadine storms through the country, defeating every enemy she comes across and genuinely comes across as a genuine force to be reckoned with.

I still enjoy Alwyn as a main character. He has a real dilemma to figure out in this book which raises the stakes a great deal. I also really enjoy his interactions with the other characters, which range from heartfelt to rather hilarious.

The Traitor doesn’t follow the same path as the previous novel. In fact, it goes in the complete opposite direction to the one you were expecting but it works. Ryan does an excellent job of wrapping up the story and does so in a rather unexpected way. I love the characters and Ryan brings the conclusion to everyone’s story in a very satisfying and brutal way. There’s plenty of action to go around and there’s also a lot of quiet moments where you get to spend time with the characters. I very much enjoyed it.

The Traitor is the third and final book in the Covenant of Steel series by Anthony Ryan.

Parish and The Martyr were two of my favourite books from last year and I was very excited to get a digital arc thanks to #netgalley and #orbitbooks

In this third book we return to Alwyn Scribe as his devotion to his lady Evadine Courlain is everything. They have come through so much together and saved each other from death. Yet all is not as it seems with Evadine and Alwyn will need to trust himself and in his choice he will decide the fate and possibly faith of the kingdom.

This was such a fitting end to the trilogy. The story of Alwyn Scribe has been one I have been excited to read since the first book and each one has gotten better. I have really enjoyed the journey that Alwyn has been on and seeing those around him on the journey with him and he and they have changed and developed over the course of the trilogy

The world building was superb and in this book the world grew yet again to areas spoken of but not yet visited and I particularly liked how the author developed the Caerith and we learned more about them as a people and the various groups within them. The politics of the land and the different lords that made up the Kingdom of Albermaine were well thought out and while important did not take away from the story of our Scribe.

Ryan managed to wrap up the loose threads from the previous two books and brings back a character or two from them as well. The characters are one of my highlights of the series and as we come to the end of the trilogy I find myself wanting to know more about them and what becomes of them in the years after.

Overall I loved this book and while sad to see the series end, delighted the author was able to finish it with such aplomb. Definitely recommend to any fans of fantasy.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. I liked the book enough to buy a copy.

Get ready for an exhilarating ride with "The Traitor" by Anthony Ryan. This book continues the gripping saga from the previous two instalments, and if, like me, you need a quick recap of the main characters and prior events, fear not. Ryan skillfully reintroduces them, ensuring that you're up to speed.

We dive headfirst into the action as Evadine, our beloved yet slightly unhinged protagonist, is on the verge of unleashing utter madness. She has grand ambitions to seize control of everything, bring down the Church, topple the Crown, and become the absolute ruler her enemies feared. Things escalate quickly into sheer chaos.

Alwynn's dream revelations from the previous books gradually solidify as the plot unfolds. It becomes clear that the "holy lady" is something else, something dark and devious. Far from divine guidance, she is a puppet, dancing on strings controlled by dark forces. Torn between love and duty, Alwynn seeks a path forward for his conflicted loyalties.

But here's where the story takes an intriguing twist. Alwynn, the keeper of secrets, has knowledge that must remain hidden. What's worse is many know the supposedly saintly lady, Evadine, is not a risen Saint. It was a pagan witch who saved her life. The events of the past two books continue to grow and develop, rapidly arriving at an unexpected yet well-trodden path for lovers.

Kudos to Ryan for masterfully crafting the pacing in this book. Each chapter delivers a punch, with surprising twists and revelations that keep you engaged. Characters continue to evolve, showcasing their flaws and captivating complexities, making you question their motives and rooting for them in equal measure.

I still appreciate Ryan's writing style. It's engaging and draws you into the story. It's like having a front-row seat to an epic fantasy tale. If you're a fan of dark fantasy filled with ambition, twists and secrets, "The Traitor" is a must-read. Grab a copy and prepare to be enthralled by the twisted web of power, secrets, and supernatural forces. Happy reading.