Free Audiobook : The Raven Scholar (The Eternal Path, Book 1), by Antonia Hodgson

In the sweltering midsummer heat of the empire of Orrun, Emperor Bersun the Brusque prepares to step down after twenty-four years of rule, sparking a fierce competition among seven elite contenders from the sacred Guardian temples. These warriors, scholars, and strategists are the finest the land has to offer, vying for the throne through grueling trials that test their every skill. But just as the games begin, a shocking murder shatters the fragile peace, pulling the brilliant yet reclusive High Scholar Neema Kraa into a nightmare she never saw coming.

Neema, a sharp-minded Raven devotee more at home with ancient scrolls than courtly schemes, is thrust into the heart of the intrigue when she's tasked with unmasking the killer. Surrounded by rivals harboring their own buried grudges and hidden motives, she must navigate a labyrinth of alliances and betrayals that echo back through generations. Every step forward feels like a gamble, with the weight of the empire's future pressing down on her unlikely shoulders.

As whispers of ancient secrets grow louder and the trials intensify, Neema discovers she's not as alone as she thought. A mysterious force lurks in the shadows, offering cryptic guidance that could either save her or lead to ruin. In this high-stakes dance of power and deception, one wrong move could cost everything, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats, eager for the next twist in this captivating tale of ambition and survival.