The Councillor

By: E.J. Beaton

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar's quest to choose the next ruler of her nation amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination

When the death of Iron Queen Sarelin Brey fractures the realm of Elira, Lysande Prior, the palace scholar and the queen’s closest friend, is appointed Councillor. Publically, Lysande must choose the next monarch from amongst the city-rulers vying for the throne. Privately, she seeks to discover which ruler murdered the queen, suspecting the use of magic.

Resourceful, analytical, and quiet, Lysande appears to embody the motto she was raised with: everything in its place. Yet while she hides her drug addiction from her new associates, she cannot hide her growing interest in power. She becomes locked in a game of strategy with the city-rulers - especially the erudite prince Luca Fontaine, who seems to shift between ally and rival.

Further from home, an old enemy is stirring: the magic-wielding White Queen is on the move again, and her alliance with a traitor among the royal milieu poses a danger not just to the peace of the realm, but to the survival of everything that Lysande cares about.

In a world where the low-born keep their heads down, Lysande must learn to fight an enemy who wears many guises... even as she wages her own battle between ambition and restraint.

©2021 E. J. Beaton (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Moira Quirk narrates an intricate fantasy with historical and political elements.… Quirk perfectly captures the nerves and fear Lysande experiences in her new position, as well as the deep grief she feels at the loss of her friend and companion, Queen Sarelin. This grief is tempered by Lysande's growing discomfort as she learns more about the former Queen's policies; Quirk deftly explores Lysande's dawning realization that one can love a person while still being critical of their actions.” (AudioFile Magazine)

"Beaton’s worldbuilding, character evolutions, and morally gray decisions make this story incredibly nuanced and smart. A skilled debut of politics, secrets, and magic that will grab readers from the start." (Library Journal, starred review)

“A sharp and insightful look at power and privilege in a magical world, and what happens when people who’ve historically had neither find themselves in possession of both.” (Anna Stephens, author of the Godblind trilogy)

Amazing!

The story sucks you in from the very first moment and never let’s go. The performance added to the story rather than detract which is a risk with audiobooks. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!

Excellent story

Really enjoyed it. Great story and the performer read the book well. Audio editing was a bit off but did not detract from the story.

A good long story narrated by my favorite voice

First, Moira Quirk narrations are amazing. I love her many voices.

Second, the story itself is pretty good. It took a bit to pull me in, but I finally got there. Some predictable points, The characters are interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing a sequel for this story. There are quite a few plot lines started out in this book that need to be told.

A political intrigue written by Captain Obvious

Very predictable. Don't expect GOT level intrigue. It feels like a YA novel posing as an adult novel.

Machiavellian?

Was hoping for clever political intrigue etc. and got something very far from that. This is not Machiavellian or even particularly clever, intricate, or detailed. Just an average story with unmemorable characters.

Decent narrator but everything else mediocre.