The Traitor by Anthony Ryan

 

In the dedication to The Traitor, Anthony Ryan credits David Gemmel with imparting the lesson that the hero's journey is always more tragedy than triumph. Anthony Ryan has learned that well and the journey that Alwyn Scribe takes not only in this book but across this series is testament to that fact. Alwyn has risen from bastard outlaw to knight and trusted advisor to Lady Evadine Courlain, the risen martyr. He has played no small part in leading thousands to her cause and offering stratagems that have led to her success. 

Alwyn has never been a fanatic but he has believed in Evadine. Now, though, he begins to question her motives and her cause. A kingdom weary of war prepares itself for one more battle and Alwyn's head and his heart are also at war. It's time to decide whose side he's really on.

I love complicated heroes and Alwyn Scribe is one of the best. He is clever and calculating and has become skilled in battle. His strength is in knowing his limitations and coming up with a plan that accounts for them. As the novel suggests, his relating of this tale paints him in a favorable light. Still, he is all too aware of the death and tragedy he has left in his wake.

As Evadine's puritanical zeal grows and her benevolence fades, Alwyn realizes that she is not the same woman he once admired, even if he still loves her. He further realizes that if evil is to be stopped, he will have to rally the forces to stop it, and he remains uncertain if he will be able to do what it takes, especially in a confrontation with Evadine.

The Traitor works because its skillfully plotted course of events leads through incredible battles on a path that brings both sides to an inevitable fight whose outcome remains uncertain until the very end. The fact that Ryan is able to make you care so much for all of the characters lends impact to the peril they find themselves in. Because Alwyn's tale is more tragedy than triumph, the air of anticipation mixes with apprehension as the two sides approach the final battle. The world created here feels real and the peoples that inhabit it work from all too recognizable motivations. Ryan delivers on the promise created in the first two books of this series with a conclusion that will satisfy fans of epic fantasy. 

This is one of the best books of the year and one of the best series of the last ten. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.