The Battle Drum cover art

The Battle Drum

The Ending Fire, Book 2

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The Battle Drum

By: Saara El-Arifi
Narrated by: Nicole Lewis, Dominic Hoffman
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About this listen

Murder. Secrets. Sacrifice.

Anoor is the first blue-blooded ruler of the Wardens’ Empire. When she is accused of a murder she didn’t commit, she must solve the mystery to save her reign.

Her beloved, Sylah, braves new lands to find a solution for the hurricane that threatens to destroy her home. But should she sacrifice her old life to raise her sword once more?

The spy, Hassa, finds herself on a trail of crimes in the city. Her search uncovers the true extent of the empire’s atrocities.

The three women find their answers – but at what cost to their world?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Saara Eldin (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Crime Heartfelt Thought-Provoking War Murder

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All stars
Most relevant
I really like the Griot storytelling sections, and now that the world building is more established there is more room for characters to develop and the plot to take centre stage. I started to like Anora more as a character, now that her character is being tested outside of her comfortable world. I still don’t particularly feel invested in any of the romantic relationships but I really like some of the dynamics between other characters and enjoyed the increased story time given to previously minor characters. Looking forward to the final instalment

Great narration, and this book improves on the first in the series

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Packed so full of story, with twists I hadn’t seen coming. My only criticism odd that it’s possibly a bit too emersive, and it can be a little heavy for me. I had to take a break with something a little lighter.

Excellent 2nd book

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Struggled a bit but the secrets and reveals were worth it! love the direction the story is going in.

Quite pleased with book two!

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⭐ 5/5 ⭐

And this is how you write a middle book. following on from the events of The Final Strife, Sylah searches for aid in foreign lands, Anoor is accused of murder and has to find out who really committed the crime and a strange and terrible power gains influence in the Warden's Empire.

- The character progression in this book is extremely well done. El-Arifi builds on previous events and writes people in such an authentic way, acknowledging their trauma and how events have affected the characters. I also love the interactions and relationships that develop through this.

- This is a book of adventure and discovery. There's so much that is new and exciting. I described the book to a friend as like an open world video game with an amazing plotline. I enjoyed the main story but equally I wanted to roam around and learn more about this vibrant and nuanced world. This just attests to the author's amazing world building.

- The magic system was developed a lot through this book, both in complexity and how horrifying it became. I think the concept of sacrifice is excellent as it provides terrible, terrible balance to what would otherwise be horrendously overpowered magic.

I need the third book yesterday and am not sure how I will wait until August. I most definitely recommend this series to any fantasy lover.

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I loved book 1 and I did enjoy book 2 but it does feel like essentially getting all the elements in place for more action in book 3 so from that point of view it was a bit frustrating. but I do like how the world building expands and some of the character arcs.

really enjoyed it although leaves you hanging

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