The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken Narrator: Mia Barron
Series: Scarred Earth Saga #3
Published by Recorded Books on December 27, 2022
Length: 12 hours, 37 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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As two sisters battle for a single throne in G.A. Aiken’s newest fantasy, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers . . .
Gods save the queen!
Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.
Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .
This is the third book in the Scarred Earth Saga. The series has a wonderful overarching story arc with two sisters fighting for a kingdom. One sister, Beatrix, is soulless and hungry for power and doesn’t matter what it takes to get that power. Keeley, on the other hand, is a very nice woman who just wanted to be a blacksmith like her mother. But Keeley knows that Beatrix cannot become the ruler of their lands, because she will not stop there, she wants an empire.
In The Heretic Royal, we follow one of the oldest of the large clan of Farmersons, Ainsley. She was always overlooked and underestimated by everyone around her. She wants to help Keeley overtake Beatrix because she was one of the people who always saw through Beatrix.
Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan is a centaur. His name fits because he knows how to hold a grudge. He has little time for humans, but does seem very interested in Ainsley, the human he is to protect. He sees more in her than anyone in her family ever did. He convinces her to go out and help her sister instead of waiting around to be asked to help. Show the family why they should stop underestimating her.
In this book, Aiken has brought in several characters from her Dragon Kin series. And there are a lot of them, so many dragons. It has been a while since I read that series, and I did have a hard time remembering who everyone is and who the kids belong to. But that didn’t lessen the fun in this story, These dragons really brought more fun into an already funny series. With characters like Fearghus the Destroyer and his human mate, Annwyl the Bloody aka Mad Queen of Garbhán Isle.
This is a fun series. I’ve had a great time with it so far. I do recommend that you start at the beginning of the Scarred Earth Saga with The Blacksmith Queen. You do not have to have read the Dragon Kin series. Aiken provides everything you need to know to enjoy the dragons, though I do recommend that series because it is a load of fun too. I will admit that it is more erotic than this series.
Narration:
Mia Barron has performed all the books in this series and does a wonderful job. She doesn’t have any issues with the addition of the large cast of characters that bring in all those dragons brought. All the voices fit the characters very well. I thought she brought out the humor in the story really well. I really enjoyed her pacing and tone of the story. I really got lost in the telling. You really should check out one of her audiobooks.
Listen to a clip:Â HERE
About Mia Barron
Mia Barron is a theater, film and television actress. Her stage credits include Springtime for Henry and Heartbreak House, She Stoops to Comedy and Hedda Gabler. She was recently in 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl, and also has a recurring role as the voice of Molotov in the cartoon network’s The Venture Brothers.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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Melanie it sounds really good. Thanks
Great review. I enjoyed this audiobook too. I like the series and her Dragon Kin.
I’ve enjoyed the series so far and I’m excited to read this one too.
This series is a lot of fun but so chaotic… the narrator does a great job with the fast pace and constant POV shifts. I am glad I listened to the first 4-5 Dragon Kin books – even though I don’t remember them all, it helped knowing their personalities and a couple of the key players.
Like Jen said….sounds like fun but also chaotic!
This is new to me. Glad you’re enjoying it, great review!