Listen to a sample
The Spear and the Storm
The Shards (Related to this series)
- Author
- Michael Livingston
- Narrator
- John Smith
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 15 January 2026
- Run Time
- 12 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Alexandria has fallen. Egypt is broken. And Rome stands triumphant.
In the wake of Cleopatra’s death, her heirs are paraded through the streets in chains forged from their mother’s own gold. Only young Selene survives, fueled by her mother’s quest for vengeance against Rome and its emperor, Augustus Caesar.
As Augustus Caesar moves to cement his rule, launching a brutal campaign in the mountains of northern Spain, Selene has been unwillingly married off to Juba of Numidia — the very man Caesar needs to win his campaign.
Beneath the banners and bloodshed lies the secret struggle for the Trident of Poseidon, a relic of immense power, capable of reshaping the fate of nations. A weapon that Juba holds the ability to wield.
Drawn into this celestial war, Selene and Juba find themselves torn between their own ambitions and the pull of something neither expected — each other. The choices they make may change the very fabric of the known world.
Critics Review
-
PRAISE FOR THE SHARDS SERIES:
'Readers with an interest in this era will be captivated by the weaving of fiction with the reality of the past and the weaving of the reality of the past with the magic of the unseen world' - Kirkus Reviews
'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
'Livingston has spiced real history with a compelling dose of fantasy! Wonderfully imaginative and beautifully told.'Bernard Cornwell, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE PAGAN LORD
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Michael Livingston
- Narrator
- John Smith
- Duration
- 12 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 15 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9781035926305
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Historical fantasy, Epic fantasy / high fantasy
Synopsis
Return to the world of Michael Livingston's THE SHARDS series — where the ancient world is shaped by gods, relics, and a magical war hidden from history…Alexandria has fallen. Egypt is broken. And Rome stands triumphant.In the wake of Cleopatra’s death, her heirs are paraded through the streets in chains forged from their mother’s own gold. Only young Selene survives, fueled by her mother’s quest for vengeance against Rome and its emperor, Augustus Caesar.As Augustus Caesar moves to cement his rule, launching a brutal campaign in the mountains of northern Spain, Selene has been unwillingly married off to Juba of Numidia — the very man Caesar needs to win his campaign.Beneath the banners and bloodshed lies the secret struggle for the Trident of Poseidon, a relic of immense power, capable of reshaping the fate of nations. A weapon that Juba holds the ability to wield.Drawn into this celestial war, Selene and Juba find themselves torn between their own ambitions and the pull of something neither expected — each other. The choices they make may change the very fabric of the known world.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.