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The Battle Drum cover art

The Battle Drum

Written by: Saara El-Arifi
Narrated by: Nicole Lewis, Dominic Hoffman
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Publisher's Summary

Murder. Secrets. Sacrifice: Three women seek the truth of the empire’s past. And the truth they find will have the power to ignite a war, in the sequel to The Final Strife, the continuation of a visionary fantasy trilogy inspired by the myths of Africa and Arabia.

Anoor is the first blue-blooded ruler of the Wardens’ Empire. But when she is accused of a murder she didn’t commit, her reign is thrown into turmoil. She must solve the mystery and clear her name without the support of her beloved, Sylah.

Sylah braves new lands to find a solution for the hurricane that threatens to destroy her home. But in finding answers, she must make a decision: Should she sacrifice her old life in order to raise up her sword once more?

Hassa’s web of secrets grows ever thicker as she finds herself on the trail of crimes in the city. Her search uncovers the extent of the atrocities of the empire’s past and present. Now she must guard both her heart and her land.

The three women find their answers, but not the answers they wanted. The drumbeat of change thrums throughout the world.

And it sings a song of war.

Ready we will be, when the Ending Fire comes,

When the Child of Fire brings the Battle Drum,

The Battle Drum,

The Battle Drum.

Ready we will be, for war will come.

Book Two of The Ending Fire Trilogy

* This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains images and the glossary from the book.

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

©2023 Saara El-Arifi (P)2023 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“El-Arifi grants readers a dramatic bird’s-eye view of both an unraveling world and the indomitable spirits of the women embroiled in its maelstrom. This is a knockout.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

What listeners say about The Battle Drum

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Excellent

Manages to improve upon the the first book in almost every way. Definitely looking forward to the next entry in the series.

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Nice sequence

Loved the second part of the story. I personally liked the first part the most because of the love story but there is a lot going on in this second chapter. Getting to know new characters and how they are linked to the main ones was kept me listening. Again, a great tale about colonialism, racism and elitism. Plus the narrator does an epic job of rendering these countless characters.

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So upset I finished it so quickly

SO good. Complex characters, complex love. Flawed people. I was heartbroken. I am so attached to both the characters and the plot — I thought I had clocked the plot in the first half, and the TWIST had me. Did not see it coming until the author wanted you to.

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