The Bird and the Blade
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Narrated by:
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Emily Woo Zeller
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By:
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Megan Bannen
About this listen
A sweeping and tragic debut novel perfect for fans of The Wrath and the Dawn and Megan Whalen Turner.
The Bird and the Blade is a lush, powerful story of life and death, battles and riddles, lies and secrets from author Megan Bannen.
Enslaved in Kipchak Khanate, Jinghua has lost everything: her home, her family, her freedom...until the kingdom is conquered by enemy forces and she finds herself an unlikely conspirator in the escape of Prince Khalaf and his irascible father across the vast Mongol Empire.
On the run, with adversaries on all sides and an endless journey ahead, Jinghua hatches a scheme to use the Kipchaks’ exile to return home, a plan that becomes increasingly fraught as her feelings for Khalaf evolve into an impossible love.
Jinghua’s already dicey prospects take a downward turn when Khalaf seeks to restore his kingdom by forging a marriage alliance with Turandokht, the daughter of the Great Khan. As beautiful as she is cunning, Turandokht requires all potential suitors to solve three impossible riddles to win her hand - and if they fail, they die.
Jinghua has kept her own counsel well, but with Khalaf’s kingdom - and his very life - on the line, she must reconcile the hard truth of her past with her love for a boy who has no idea what she’s capable of...even if it means losing him to the girl who’d sooner take his life than his heart.
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Story
Kyra is the youngest Markswoman in the Order of Kali, a highly trained sisterhood of elite warriors armed with telepathic blades. Guided by a strict code of conduct, Kyra and the other Orders are sworn to protect the people of Asiana. But to be a Markswoman, an acolyte must repudiate her former life completely. Kyra has pledged to do so, yet she secretly harbors a fierce desire to avenge her dead family. When Kyra's beloved mentor dies in mysterious circumstances, and Tamsyn, the dangerous Mistress of Mental Arts, assumes control, Kyra is forced on the run.
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Everything I look for in a fantasy series!
- By Shawscribbles on 02-11-18
By: Rati Mehrotra
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The Book of Kells
- By: R. A. MacAvoy
- Narrated by: Alan Robertson
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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A contemporary man, John Thornburn (a meek, non-violent and unpredictable artist) and woman, Derval (his tough, confrontational, strong and warrior-like lover) time travel to ancient Ireland to avenge a Viking attack. Packed with fascinating details of historical time and place in Irish history and delicately balanced on the border between realism and fantasy, the story centers around one of the most famous and beautiful illuminated manuscripts in history, the legendary but entirely real Book of Kells.
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The Book of Irish Fantasy
- By S. Wells on 12-10-12
By: R. A. MacAvoy
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The Emperor's Knife
- Book One of the Tower and Knife Trilogy
- By: Mazarkis Williams
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that marks each victim with a fragment of a greater design. Geometric patterns spread across the skin, until the victim dies in agony or becomes a Carrier, doing the bidding of an evil intelligence. The lost prince Sarmin, the emperor's only surviving brother, lies locked in a hidden room. As the pattern draws closer to the palace he is at last remembered: now he awaits a bride, Mesema, a Windreader from the northern plains.
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Unable to listen
- By T Rao on 09-28-15
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Princess of Thorns
- By: Stacey Jay
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy, yet she is cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and to free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne 10 years ago. Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late?
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Great story, great chemistry, great fun!
- By Katy on 01-28-15
By: Stacey Jay
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The Architect's Apprentice
- By: Elif Shafak
- Narrated by: Piter Marek
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1540, 12-year-old Jahan arrives in Istanbul. As an animal tamer in the sultan's menagerie, he looks after the exceptionally smart elephant Chota and befriends (and falls for) the sultan's beautiful daughter Princess Mihrimah. A palace education leads Jahan to Mimar Sinan, the empire's chief architect, who takes Jahan under his wing as they construct (with Chota's help) some of the most magnificent buildings in history.
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I feel like I should like it more than I do
- By nyog on 04-19-17
By: Elif Shafak
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Fatemarked
- The Fatemarked Epic, Book 1
- By: David Estes
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 19 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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They are the fatemarked. Misunderstood. Worshipped. Hated. Murdered at birth. Their time to step into the light has come. An ancient prophecy foretold their coming, the chosen few who will bring peace to a land embroiled in a century of mistrust and war. When kings start dying, that hope and belief swiftly turns to fear. Roan Loren is one of the fatemarked, but has hidden his mark of power his entire life, fearing the damage it might cause to those around him. A great evil is coming. He can't hide anymore.
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Written to fit an ideology, not the story it tells
- By znidarsic.blaz on 04-30-18
By: David Estes
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The Queen of the Tearling
- A Novel
- By: Erika Johansen
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler - and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her. On her 19th birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa.
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Volume changed a lot
- By Nik on 12-20-14
By: Erika Johansen
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Sword and Verse
- By: Kathy MacMillan
- Narrated by: Emily Rankin
- Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Raisa was just a child when she was sold into slavery in the kingdom of Qilara. Before she was taken away, her father had been adamant that she learn to read and write. But where she now lives, literacy is a capital offense for all but the nobility. The written language is closely protected, and only the king, prince, tutor, and tutor-in-training are allowed to learn its very highest form.
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Hormonal Teenagers in the middle of a Slave Revolt
- By Natalie C on 01-21-16
By: Kathy MacMillan
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Naamah's Kiss
- By: Jacqueline Carey
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 26 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Once there were great magicians born to the Maghuin Dhonn, the folk of the Brown Bear, the oldest tribe in Alba. But generations ago, the greatest of them all broke a sacred oath sworn in the name of all his people. Now, only small gifts remain to them. Through her lineage, Moirin possesses such gifts---the ability to summon the twilight and conceal herself, and the skill to coax plants to grow.
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The Kushiel series in order
- By Glen Gaines on 10-27-09
By: Jacqueline Carey
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Buddha
- A Story of Enlightenment
- By: Deepak Chopra
- Narrated by: Deepak Chopra
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling author Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this gripping account of the young prince who abandoned his inheritance to discover his true calling. This iconic journey changed the world forever, and the truths revealed continue to influence every corner of the globe today.
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Excellent +++++
- By Daniel on 04-17-09
By: Deepak Chopra
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The Moon in the Palace
- The Empress of Bright Moon, Book 1
- By: Weina Dai Randel
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power. A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. But young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the emperor a gift he can never forget.
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One of the most annoying narrations
- By Foodiewife on 01-28-17
By: Weina Dai Randel
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A Shadow in Summer
- Long Price Quartet, Book 1
- By: Daniel Abraham
- Narrated by: Neil Shah
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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The powerful city-state of Saraykeht is a bastion of peace and culture, a major center of commerce and trade. Its economy depends on the power of the captive spirit Seedless, an and at bound to the poet-sorcerer Heshai for life. Enter the Galts, an empire committed to laying waste to all lands with their ferocious army. Saraykeht has always been too strong for the Galts to attack, but now they see an opportunity.
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REALLY Hard to Rate!
- By Trip Williams on 04-27-15
By: Daniel Abraham
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The Briar King
- The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, Book 1
- By: Greg Keyes
- Narrated by: Patrick Michael
- Length: 19 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Two thousand years ago, the Born Queen defeated the Skasloi lords, freeing humans from the bitter yoke of slavery. But now monstrous creatures roam the land and destinies become inextricably entangled in a drama of power and seduction. The kings woodsman, a rebellious girl, a young priest, a roguish adventurer, and a young man made suddenly into a knight all face malevolent forces that shake the foundations of the kingdom, even as the Briar King, legendary harbinger of death, awakens from his slumber.
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Good stuff
- By Jake on 06-10-10
By: Greg Keyes
What listeners say about The Bird and the Blade
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rae
- 07-12-18
So Many Twists
I love this book. It had tons of great twists. When I thought I had it all figured out I was wrong. The world was easy to understand and get lost in. The cast is small but somehow the world feels very big.
The narrator does a great job distinguishing between characters.
My only -highly subjective- issue is that sometimes the main character’s internal contemplation of her love is overbearing and sappy.
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- Ruthi
- 07-22-19
Enjoyed this a lot
I bought this on Kindle but only made it 20 or so pages in but Emily Woo Zeller completely makes the characters come alive & I absolutely loved this book. Audiobooks are really making me enjoy the fantasy genre in completely new ways & I’m really grateful because it’s provided a much needed easy escape & way to cope with medical conditions I’ve not had before the last couple of years.
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- Kaleigh
- 06-11-18
Wow!
I didn’t think I would like this book, but I instead loved it! The plot and historical setting were both really gripping. The characters felt very real and deep. The ending... THE ENDING had Me ugly crying. However, even that was beautiful done, so I can’t be mad at all. I definitely recommend this one!
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- TMF5
- 06-12-18
Beautifully written retelling of a world renowned opera
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Steam: 💋 only
Feels: 😔💗😫😭
Tear jerker: ✅
Paranormal/Fantasy: ❌
Location: Various; China, Mongolia - Kipchak Khanate and several others
Character age range: Late teens
Lead: Jinghua
Love interest(s): Khalaf
HEA: ❌
...
... .
~QD Book Info📚~
Kindle Unlimited: ❌
Audible: ✅ - narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Series: ❌ - stand alone
...
...
~QD🔥~
Sex/kink type: None - 💋 only
Possible triggers: violence/gore, homicide, slavery, kidnapping, torture, self-harm
...
...
~Review🖋~
This book was a beautifully written retelling of a famous (and tragic) opera. The author writes in a lyrical prose that transports the reader into a picturesque world so vivid I thought I might be able to reach out and touch it. The dialogue is endearingly honest; I was a pendulum swinging between feeling anguished and laughing at Jinghua’s inner-monologue. The end is as tragic as it was in the opera, if not even more so, and despite knowing the ending, I sat there sobbing nonetheless. Brava, on an impressive debut novel!
✨About the Audible version: The audio book is amazing. I alternated between reading and listening. Emily Woo Zeller narrates the hell out of this book. It was such a joy listening to her!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Brent Fujimoto
- 04-02-23
Great story!
Really awesome story that makes you feel invested in the characters and their fate. The only minus is the reader’s voice was extremely whining when she read the main character and it made it sound like the main character is this whiny person. I almost stopped listening because it was difficult to focus. Way too high pitched and, again, whiny. All other characters were read well.
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- Yulia
- 10-04-19
I need tissues
This was one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to! it felt like a full cast, gosh the narrator is so good!
the story itself wasn't that great honestly, nothing special, it's the narrator who made it so good. although that ending got me 😭
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- Bookish
- 09-29-20
Absolutely wonderful
A brilliant performance of a spectacular story. Brought me to tears! I would recommend to anyone who loves heartbreaking romance, vivid characters, and incredible world building.
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- BJ
- 03-16-21
wonderful!
This was fun book! It had you laughing and crying. Then it had you sitting in contemplation. I would recommend this book!
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