Thanks to netgalley for this ARC.

A good continuation of the story, with a lot happening and to keep track of. I like the ties into the previous series with Alwin etc.

The viewpoints witch, but there aren't too many where you lose track of each line. There are a few twists, some telegraphed and the final one that wasn't (at least for me).

Really enjoyed the book and the story so far, and looking forward to the next one!

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC of this book! I was so excited to receive the second book to Age of Wrath series. I absolutely love Anthony Ryan’s stories, and Covenant of Steel is my top favorite series. Tide of Black Steel was a great first book into a follow up series from Covenant of Steel. And Born of Iron Storm picks up right where Tide of Black Steel ends. Luckily there was a recap at the beginning, so I was able to refresh my memory which was super appreciated.

Again, we are following 4 main point of views throughout the story. Felnir is working to achieve his kingship, Ruhlin is trying to get to safety/freedom from his captures but it seems he will never truly escape or find safety. He has a bigger role to play than he wants. Thera is fighting against the invasion of the Nahlvarians and has received the loyalty of the Outer Isles. Elvine is stuck with the traitor queen and is trying to find a way to escape.

I enjoyed each character’s story, but overall each character’s story was not as exciting in this book as they were in the previous book. This is definitely a book 2, buildup book. The ending has me excited for the next installment, but Born of an Iron Storm definitely was slower and felt more like it was moving the characters into place for book 3.

There were times I had trouble motivating myself to read. I believe the reason I had such a hard time is because of the multiple point of views. Unfortunately, right when I would get pulled into the story, the chapter would end and so would that character’s story for the 3 chapters… I constantly felt like I was getting pulled away from the a story and thrown into a new one that I had to get re-interested in. I think this is why the Covenant of Steel series and Blood Song (only book 1) were my favorites, were because they were just one point of view. The stories of the various characters are great, I just wish there weren’t so many breaks.

I was also disappointed Colvyn was hardly in this book, and he didn’t even have an appearance until about 60% of the way through.
I did enjoy this book, and I am ready for book 3, but Covenant of Steel is still my favorite. 

On what appears to be a whim Thera stops her journey back to Skar Magnol to assist in halting the Nihlavrian invasion. She will discover even more spies among her people but many more ready to go to war to the save the Isles. Especially once they have learned of Sister Lore's betrayal.

Having escaped Ruhlin and the freed Morvek slaves set out to return to the Isles. Unfortunately their plan of capturing a ship to do just that is thwarted and they must flee to the lands of the Morvek where Ruhlin discovers he has hailed as the savior of these people.

Felnir has finally arrived in Vorunvahl only to discover the discover that Wohtin isn't the only long-lived person among these people he is now king over, nor is he necessarily welcome regardless of what sword he wields. Determined to become king in more than just name though he sets off to free his new subjects from a dangerous cult.

Meanwhile, Evline is doing everything to keep her mother and herself alive in Skar Magnol, Lore sees Evline as not just a trusted advisor but a true friend and although sickened by it she knows she must continue this ruse or end up like Sister Silver and Sister Iron. She is determined to bring Lore down by any means necessary though and hatches a daring escape plan that will end in another blood bath.

Everything is going pretty well for really everyone in this book. I mean the Ascarlians seem to have the upper hand for most of the book thanks in large part to all four MCs quick thinking. Sure there are some bloody and truly amazing battles for Thera and Felnir especially but honestly that's to be expected. Felnir is technically invading and Thera is fighting off an invasion but they go win each of them gaining larger forces each time. Which quite frankly I thought everything was way too damn easy and of course it was because the reveal at the end of who the actual big bad is absolutely blew me away. Maybe their were hints and I missed them, Im not sure but completely out of left field and Im 100% sure this signals that shit is not going to be so easy in book three!

Characters were of course great. Evline and Thera especially. Both end up in positions they would rather not be in but they rise to the occasion. Not going to lie though I could definitely see Evline easily ending up like her dad. She is way too much like him. Felnir, whom I didn't have much use for at the beginning I have found some respect for. Although I can't say I necessarily like him, he's just too worried about making a name for himself and I believe thats going to cause problems sooner rather than later. Lore is amazing bad guy, perfect to follow Evadine's shoes because shes just as evil but she's not like a zealot, not like Evadine was at least. She just doesn't see anything wrong with her actions and that's terrifying. She just doesn't care, its weird, she exhibits a ton of emotion don't get me wrong but everyone around her is just something to be used except for one or two people Evline being one of them.

Pacing and world building were of course amazing. The battles especially the ones when Ruhlin turns into "the monster" were fantastic but the last battle in Oversahl was freaking amazing. It really demonstrates how far Lore is willing to go and how little she cares for the lives of anyone.

I can not freaking wait for book 3! Especially after that ending cause just what!? And like did anyone actually know? And how the hell do people not know!? *sigh* None of that makes sense, it will when you read it!

As always thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the eArc!

I enjoyed this second installment of Anthony Ryan’s Norse mythology series, but it fell a little short for me. With so many names and characters it was hard to keep track of who everyone is and I didn’t quite enjoy the plot as much as the first novel. However, this was still an impressive piece of high fantasy & I recommend to anyone who has enjoyed other Ryan works.

Thank you to Orbit Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley

I don’t even know where to begin for this book. I simply thought it couldn’t get better but it could and I loved every second of it. This is what fantasy is meant to be.

Highly recommend this whole series. This was another hit from Anthony Ryan. I highly recommend this whole series. The vibes are awesome and I cannot wait for book 3.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Anthony Ryan delivers another masterclass in epic fantasy with Born of an Iron Storm, the second installment of the Age of Wrath trilogy. Picking up after the devastating fall of the Sister Queens, Ryan throws readers into a world teetering on the brink, where betrayal and courage collide at every turn.

The stakes are monumental: Ascarlia’s capital has fallen to the Nihlvarian invaders, and hope seems all but lost. Yet Ryan crafts a tale where resilience shines through darkness. Elvine’s desperate dance within enemy ranks—balancing loyalty, deception, and the ever-present threat of death—is riveting. Thera’s struggle to unite fractured forces and overcome her own doubts is both inspiring and heartbreakingly real.

Ryan’s world-building is as immersive as ever, weaving Norse-inspired myth with political intrigue and bloody retribution. The pacing is relentless, the action sequences pulse with intensity, and the characters’ internal battles are as gripping as the external ones. Every chapter brims with tension, sacrifice, and moral complexity.

Born of an Iron Storm cements Anthony Ryan’s status as a master storyteller. This is epic fantasy at its finest—unpredictable, emotionally charged, and utterly unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone who craves a saga that lingers long after the final page

Anthony Ryan returns to the brutal, war torn world of A Tide of Black Steel in Born of an Iron Storm, the gripping sequel that wastes no time raising the stakes. Picking up right where the first book left off, this second installment continues the story through the same set of POV characters, ensuring a strong sense of continuity and character development throughout.

That said, it pays to reread A Tide of Black Steel before diving into Born of an Iron Storm. Ryan doesn’t spend much time rehashing earlier plot points, so readers who want to stay grounded in the story’s intricate web of politics, military maneuvers, and personal vendettas will benefit from a refresher.

Stylistically, the novel stays true to its roots. The gritty realism, tactical combat, and grounded world building that defined the first book remain intact.. only now, the battles are bloodier, the consequences more dire, and the characters increasingly shaped by the brutal choices they’re forced to make. Ryan’s talent for writing large scale action scenes and emotionally charged character moments continues to shine, especially as the stakes grow ever higher.

If you enjoyed the first book, Born of an Iron Storm is an absolute must read. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it reinforces everything that made A Tide of Black Steel such an ensnaring and epic start of the series!

Thank you to Anthony Ryan for giving us more of our friends! Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for making it happen!

Anthony Ryan is one of the best Fantasy writers out there. This second installment of The Age of Wrath is just as engaging as the first.

If it's been a bit since you read the first book, there's an in-depth recap at the start of this one which is super helpful with the many viewpoints this book follows.

Engaging battles, twisting plot points, and excellent characters build this story up well for the final concluding volume. An excellent read!

Anthony Ryan continues to write gripping Norse Fantasy, with plenty of political intrigue, violence, and behind-the-scenes plotting, to make anyone eager to see how he will wrap it all up in book three.

Review: I have a hard time getting into novels that prelude almost a quarter of the novel with a narrative back story. Not only was the preview lengthy but entirely confusing with all the story line shifts and name dropping with no definitive breaks between. One moment your in a jail cell and the next someone is killing some Queens.

A brilliant second volume in this gritty series of Viking style fantasy that features comlex and morally ambiguous characters in a very dark, Norse inspired world that will entertain the imagination of even experienced genre fans. The character are gritty and real and make mistakes, but also triumph in unexpected ways that are highly entertaining. The world building is far superior to most similar fiction worlds, which is a big plus for me.

Even better than book one. I enjoyed the previous trilogy very much and this is set in the same world. What I like better about this book and series so far is the norse inspiration. It has a very cool Viking feel, sort of like John Gwynn's Bloodsworn trilogy. If you like action packed, fast paced thrilling fantasy with a good dose of war and ruin, pick this one up now. Each inallment has gotten better and better and I cannot weait for the third and final installment!

The second book in the Age of Wrath draws us back to the saga of Thera, Felnir, Elvine, and Ruhlin. The same four viewpoints as A Tide of Black Steel, the same gritty, action-driven storytelling, but now we are further into the depths of the tale. Again, Anthony Ryan chooses not to distract readers from the action by dumping deposits of dry exposition into the swiftly moving narrative, however, if its been some time sine you read the first book, Born of an Iron Storm starts with a handy "What has gone before" section that catches everyone up on the pertinent details. We are drawn further into Ascarlia, drawn into vivid battles, and complex plots as this middle book of a trilogy builds on the first and sets up the anticipation for an epic conclusion. Those who enjoyed A Tide of Black Steel are welcomed back to relish this second helping of this dark epic, while those who are fans of dark fantasy, sagas and epics but have yet to start the Age of Wrath should begin their journey on A Tide of Black Steel.
I received access to this ARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

As of the date of review (May 30th, 2025), "Born of an Iron Storm" is the best read of 2025.

I said the same about the precursor, "A Tide of Black Steel", where I said at the time that it was 2024's best book. I still feel that way, even plenty of months later. This is pure addictive fantasy, the type where you have to know what happens next, and the type where every POV is extremely interesting. Every one of the four perspectives in this are fantastic, though I would probably say that my favorite of the plotlines is Thera's.

This book continues to expand the world that was technically originated by the author when he wrote "The Pariah", the first book of the preceding series. In "Born of an Iron Storm", we have a greater look at the mainland Ruhlin had stepped foot upon from the first book, one inhabited by the Nihlvarians and the original settlers, the Morvek. We also see the kingdom Felnir hopes to take kingship too, across much of the western seas. Both lands come with the benefit of a map before the storm, adding to the benefit.

This series is at its best when it comes to battles and action. The individual fight scenes are solid, but the battles are at its finest, especially plenty of sea-based battles that we see here. The details involved present a very vivid description of the scene, yet they do not excessively lag and slow down the situation.

The character arcs are impressive- the collection of recurring characters have their own uses and storylines, but the central characters go through decisive development- not simply just going through the motions of the situations that they go through. Felnir's characterization is impressive, and the jury is still out on his earnest intentions (not that he is hiding anything, but he seems especially prone to epiphanies, making him a wild card).

The antagonists are well established- primarily the treacherous Sister Lore of Ascarlia and the Vortigurn, the Dread King of the Nihlvarians. There is a situation regarding the Vortigurn that I am proud have correctly guessed...

Lastly, I give the author Anthony Ryan credit for putting a well-described recap of the previous book, as well as a Dramatis Personae of the central characters. This saves the awkwardness of the early chapters acclimating the reader to the present situation, and is also useful if one had gone months or years between reading the forthcoming book.