Pre-order

The Ark and the Empire

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Bloomsbury presents The Ark and the Empire by Michael Livingston, read by David Ijiti.

The beginning of an epic historical fantasy series that reveals the hidden celestial battle behind the course of history.

HISTORY BELONGS TO THE CONQUERORS — BUT THE FUTURE IS FORGED BY THE WEAPONS OF THE GODS

Julius Caesar is dead, assassinated on the senate floor, and the glory that is Rome has been torn in two...

Octavian, Caesar’s ambitious great-nephew and adopted son, vies with Marc Antony and Cleopatra for control of Caesar’s legacy. As civil war rages from Rome to Alexandria, and vast armies and navies battle for supremacy, a secret conflict threatens to shift the course of history.

Juba, Numidian prince and adopted brother of Octavian, has embarked on a ruthless quest for the Shards of Heaven, lost treasures said to possess the very power of the gods — or the one God. Driven by vengeance, Juba has already attained the fabled Trident of Poseidon, which may also be the staff once wielded by Moses. Now he will stop at nothing to obtain the other Shards, even if it means burning the entire world to the ground.

Caught up in these cataclysmic events, and the hunt for the Shards, are a pair of exiled Roman legionnaires, a Greek librarian of uncertain loyalties, assassins, spies, slaves. . . and the ten-year-old daughter of Cleopatra herself.

Book 1 in THE SHARDS TRILOGY
#1 The Ark and the Empire
#2 The Spear and the Storm
#3 The Ring and the Ruin

Critics Review

'Livingston impressively makes these less famous personages feel more interesting and vivid than the usual headliners.'
Publishers Weekly
'This is a top-notch tale. An accomplished nonfiction author and historian, Livingston has a talent for storytelling that will keep readers immersed in the complex tale.'
Library Journal
'A brilliant debut. Livingston has spiced real history with a compelling dose of fantasy!'
Bernard Cornwell, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE PAGAN LORD

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.