
Beneath the Keep
A Novel of the Tearling
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Narrated by:
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Mandy Williams
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By:
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Erika Johansen
About this listen
“A suspenseful, multilayered tale of how the sparks of revolution are kindled, and of those who strive to ignite them.” (Cassandra Clare, number-one New York Times best-selling author)
As a kingdom descends into darkness and new alliances are forged under fire, a battle begins over a prophecy that will change the course of history in this much-anticipated stand-alone prequel to the best-selling Queen of the Tearling trilogy.
The Tearling, founded as a utopia, has collapsed and reverted to feudalism. As the gap between rich and poor widens and famine threatens the land, rumors of a prophecy begin to spread: a great hope, a True Queen who will ascend and save the kingdom.
But rumors will not help Lazarus, a boy on the verge of manhood, trapped in the clandestine underworld known as the Creche. Enlisted from his earliest days to kill without mercy, he has never seen sun or sky, not until a quest for vengeance propels him above ground. There he finds a calling amid a royal court rife with intrigue and danger, where he meets Niya, Princess Elyssa’s handmaid, who is not who she appears to be and whose true identity will spell death if revealed.
With a righteous rebellion gathering inside her kingdom, Princess Elyssa finds herself torn between duty to the throne and her growing loyalty to the Blue Horizon, a group of fierce idealists who promise radical change. Elyssa must choose quickly, for threats beset her on all sides, and the powers wielded by an uncanny seer and her shadowy master are preparing to decide the Princess’ fate for her. It is only a matter of time before Lazarus, Niya, and Elyssa will be called into the service of something greater than they have ever imagined: the fight for a better world.
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Critic reviews
"A many-layered tale of intrigue and revolution, Beneath the Keep adds new depth - and not a few surprises - to Erika Johansen’s acclaimed Tearling trilogy. The prequel deftly sets the stage for Queen Kelsea’s reign, as factions jockey for power over the throne and an uprising gathers in the shadows. A must-read for fans of the Tearling!” (Helene Wecker, New York Times)
“Johansen delves into the forces that tore the kingdom of Tearling apart in this captivating prequel to her Queen of the Tearling series.... Johansen pulls off an impressive feat in crafting a spellbinding prequel that works just as well as a standalone…the steadily building tension carries the story forward. New and old fans alike are sure to be taken in.” (Publishers Weekly)
"The story considers the nature of forgiveness, the use and abuse of power, and the morality of right and wrong as characters develop in unexpected ways. The dramatic climax will have readers questioning who the real hero is at the end of this compelling tale of epic fantasy. Series fans will be intrigued to discover the background details of individuals who are pivotal to events in the trilogy, and those new to the series will want to find out what comes next." (Booklist, starred review)
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The Dream Peddler
- A Novel
- By: Martine Fournier Watson
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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A pause-resisting novel about a traveling salesman who arrives to sell dreams to a town rocked by a child's disappearance, both a thoughtful mediation on grief and a magical exploration of our innermost desires.
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Missed potential
- By RueRue on 09-23-23
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The Spring Maiden
- The Cartographer's War, Book 1
- By: Allison Anderson
- Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Powerful plant mage and heir-apparent to the Duchy of Eleusion, Penny Barclay lives each day under two strict rules: Don't shame the family's magical heritage, and don't allow any man to turn her head. While she knows her mother's restrictive rules come from a place of love, Penny doesn't always agree on how they should be followed—particularly with a rebellion threatening their way of life. The rebels' goal? For all magic wielders to be enslaved under those who have not received such a gift from the Goddess.
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Amazing & Imaginative
- By Tarry Perry on 01-22-24
By: Allison Anderson
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Half Sick of Shadows
- By: Laura Sebastian
- Narrated by: Ell Potter
- Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come - for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future. On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends - countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.
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Time skips are confusing, boring main character
- By Allen I. on 07-09-21
By: Laura Sebastian
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My Brother's Keeper
- By: Tim Powers
- Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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When young Emily Brontë helps a wounded man she finds at the foot of an ancient pagan shrine in the remote Yorkshire moors, her life becomes contentiously entwined with his. He is Alcuin Curzon, embittered member of a sect working to eradicate the resurgent plague of lycanthropy in Europe and northern England. But Emily's father, curate of the Haworth village church, is responsible for having unwittingly brought a demonic werewolf god to Yorkshire forty years ago—and it is taking possession of Emily's beloved but foolish and dissolute brother.
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Feels Real
- By John Ark on 09-15-24
By: Tim Powers
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Fire, Ice, and Physics
- The Science of Game of Thrones
- By: Rebecca C. Thompson, Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Game of Thrones is a fantasy that features a lot of made-up science - fabricated climatology (when is winter coming?), astronomy, metallurgy, chemistry, and biology. Most fans of George R. R. Martin's fantastical world accept it all as part of the magic. A trained scientist, watching the fake science in Game of Thrones, might think, "But how would it work?" In Fire, Ice, and Physics, Rebecca Thompson turns a scientist's eye on Game of Thrones, exploring the science of an ice wall, the genetics of the families, and the biology of beheading.
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Why deal with stupidity
- By Okan Tezucar on 08-01-23
By: Rebecca C. Thompson, and others
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The Silver Curse: An Epic Fantasy Adventure
- The Silver Curse, Book 1
- By: Anna Orr
- Narrated by: Will M. Watt
- Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Runaway heir Rasp Stoneclaw was born cursed, prophesied to bring destruction to the world. Now exiled by the Stoneclaw tribe after his brothers drove him out, he lives under an assumed name. Far from the curse, of course. Meanwhile, Protector of the Realm Oralia Dawnsight—along with her team, the rebellious faithful four—is on the hunt for Rasp, ready to restore him to the throne for the small price of a trade route truce. She'll get Rasp to agree to a deal, and then they'll be on their way up the mountain path to install him as the new, peaceful leader of the Iron Ridge. Simple, right?
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Dynamic solo narration; epically witty adventure
- By Alesandra L. on 04-23-24
By: Anna Orr
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To Poison a King
- Heirs of Isla, Book 1
- By: S.G. Prince
- Narrated by: Lauren Irwin
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Selene is the youngest daughter in a gifted line of healers, born to serve as the king's royal physician. Yet when Selene's mother Persaphe embroils her in a plot to kill the king, Selene finds herself poisoning the very man she is sworn to protect. Things seem bleak, but there is another problem—the poison doesn't work, and the king doesn't die. Rather, he awakes from his coma paralyzed, aware of the attempt on his life, and furious.
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Bury me with this book
- By Alexandra Castelan on 11-14-23
By: S.G. Prince
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The Murderess Crow
- The Krosann Saga, Book 1
- By: Sam Feuerbach
- Narrated by: Daniel Wisniewski
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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The crow hissed: "Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t cut your throat here and now. One single damn reason." The prince froze with fear and said nothing. At last, his behavior was logical. His facial features had lost any order. Shivering, he closed his eyes in expectation of certain death. But then there was a whispering. "Could there be three reasons maybe?" She suppressed the reflex to laugh—she hadn’t laughed aloud for years and was not sure if the muscles needed were even still functioning.
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Excellent book and series. I love this author
- By J.A. on 04-25-24
By: Sam Feuerbach
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A Fallen Sword
- The Wolf and Viper Series, Book 1
- By: Kaven Hirning
- Narrated by: Abigail Reno
- Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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A Guild of Criminals. A Guild of Heroes. One Holy Weapon. A book made entirely by rolling the dice.
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A fallen sword
- By Kaity Neiswonger on 11-16-24
By: Kaven Hirning
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Nights of Iron and Ink
- The Darkest Flame, Book 1
- By: Shannen Durey
- Narrated by: Ada Sinclair
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Vera wants nothing more than to earn a place with the Rogues, but with her penchant for turning everything to ash and her monstrous appearance, she fits in better with the flesh-eating beasts plaguing her world than she does the warriors fighting them. When the opportunity to join their ranks finally presents itself, nothing goes as planned. Too late, she realizes she's broken the second fae law and she didn't attempt to steal from just any fae. She attempted to steal from him, the Enforcer.
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Amazing
- By Anonymous User on 01-18-25
By: Shannen Durey
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Hollow
- By: Brian Catling
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Sheltering beneath Das Kagel, the cloud-scraping structure rumored to be the Tower of Babel, the sacred Monastery of the Eastern Gate descends into bedlam. Their ancient oracle, Quite Testiyont - whose prophesies helped protect the church - has died, leaving the monks vulnerable to the war raging between the living and the dead. Tasked by the High Church to deliver a new oracle, Barry Follett and his group of hired mercenaries are forced to confront wicked giants and dangerous sirens.
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It’s just fine
- By Matt on 12-03-24
By: Brian Catling
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Poison River
- The First Daidoji Shin Mystery (Legend of the Five Rings Series)
- By: Josh Reynolds
- Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Daidoji Shin, unrepentant wastrel with a taste for scandal and dice, coasts through his role as Crane Clan's trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog. But when a case of poisoned rice threatens the brittle peace between the competing clans, the Imperial Governor drags Shin from his indolence and orders him to find the culprit. Despite himself, Shin uncovers an intriguing conspiracy involving more than just dead rats.
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Amusing.
- By W. B. Long on 03-19-25
By: Josh Reynolds
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Between Life and Death
- Between Life and Death Series, Book 1
- By: Jaclyn Kot
- Narrated by: Nikki Grey, Connor Brannigan
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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On the secluded continent of Edenvale, possessing magic is a death sentence. Those who have it are labeled Cursed, and by order of the king, they are Cleansed—a horrific event utilizing a hot, hungry pyre and an iron collar. Enemy to the king, a group known as the Cursed rebels defend their lands from his reach, creating an ongoing bloodthirsty war. When Sage's brother is conscripted for the war, she is forced to trade in her cozy, peaceful cottage life and join the Cursed rebels to get him back.
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DNF
- By Derp on 08-02-24
By: Jaclyn Kot
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Child of a Mad God
- The Coven, Book 1
- By: R. A. Salvatore
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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From R. A. Salvatore, the legendary creator of Drizzt Do'Urden, comes the start of a brand new epic journey. When Aoleyn loses her parents, she is left to fend for herself among a tribe of vicious barbarians. Bound by rigid traditions, she dreams of escaping to the world beyond her mountain home. The only hope for achieving the kind of freedom she searches for is to learn how to wield the mysterious power used by the tribe's coven known as the Song of Usgar. Thankfully, Aoleyn may be the strongest witch to have ever lived, but magic comes at price.
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A lot of nothing happening over a long time
- By steven brachna on 02-08-18
By: R. A. Salvatore
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Revelator
- A Novel
- By: Daryl Gregory
- Narrated by: Reagan Boggs
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1933, nine-year-old Stella is left in the care of her grandmother, Motty, in the backwoods of Tennessee. The mountains are home to dangerous secrets, and soon after she arrives, Stella wanders into a dark cavern where she encounters the family's personal god, an entity known as the Ghostdaddy. Years later, after a tragic incident that caused her to flee, Stella - now a professional bootlegger - returns for Motty's funeral, and to check on the mysterious 10-year-old girl named Sunny that Motty adopted.
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Very Unusual
- By troconn on 10-12-21
By: Daryl Gregory
What listeners say about Beneath the Keep
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Janet Parker
- 12-03-22
Another great story
The characters are so alive in this story. I feel like I know every one of them. This was an emotional Rollercoaster of a story and I struggled to turn it off and get back to my life.Thank you for sharing another wonderful story
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- Meghan Fasnacht
- 09-13-24
A Deeper Unfolding of the world
I loved being back in the tear again.
I would never want to live there myself but reading about all the people fighting to survive and take hold of their fate is so beautiful, and Erika Johansson tells it all so magically.
The parallels that you can draw between what we fight for now and what they fight for in the tear is scary but if we can help each other ,like the characters here, then we won't have to reach for sapphires to take us away.
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- Suzanne Bruton
- 12-12-22
Great story
Listen to the first 3 Tearling books then listen to Beneath the Keep.
Hope there will be more
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- Bells
- 03-07-23
Reader starts off rough but settles in well.
This is the book to read BEFORE the trilogy (imo).... it is satisfying and fulfilling. The char dev is very important to the story and shifts the frustration towards excitement.
I loved it.
The reader starts off iffy but gains their feet, so to speak, and by the middle they are going strong. stick with it, it is worth it:)
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- SweetRead
- 12-16-22
Full Circle
Way too much language. I enjoyed the overall story and how it all came together. I liked learning about Kelsi's family and what made them who they were. Loved, loved, loved the back story on The Mace. He is by far my favorite character. I also enjoyed the twist on The better world.
Be warned the other three books need read before this one to see it all come together. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter tell so much. This book seems to be for people that enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale.
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- LSteff
- 02-17-21
Continuity
Having read all of the Queen of the Tearling books, I was excited to learn more about the characters that played such a massive role in Kelsey’s reign. Didn’t love the ending of Fate of the Tearling, hut that’s beside the point. My issue is that some of the backstory the author creates here doesn’t tally with what’s written in the very next book. Call me crazy, but if you’re reading the prequel then chances are you’ve read the rest. If I noticed discrepancies, how did the author miss them? The editor? Overall a good book but frustrating in the context of the over arching story.
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3 people found this helpful
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- MS
- 02-24-21
Disappointed
I loved the Tearling trilogy and was very excited about this new book. I even pre ordered it so I could start it as soon as possible. Unfortunately this book is horrible. It is inconsistent with the story of the other three books. It is repetitive as well - she repeats things over abs over. I recommend the original trilogy but as far as this addition aa a prequel I recommend throwing in the garbage and ignoring it.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Maria
- 03-08-21
Well written, but depressing
In this prequel we learn the history of why Queen Elyssa’s rule is the horror that it becomes....how Arlin Thorne and Brenna became so powerful...and the depressing and very unjust way of life for the majority of the people in the Tearling. Other reviews have said this story is repetitive...it is in the sense of doom and gloom...but there are some shining moments and a few heroes...Christian...aka Lazarus/Mace and Nya.
Although the narrator is excellent, the story is not as good as the other 3. Still, it does give good insight as to how/why the characters and story are as they are at the start of the first book, and the weight/price that is on Princess Kelsea from her birth.
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4 people found this helpful