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The Ark and the Empire
The Shards (Related to this series)
- Author
- Michael Livingston
- Narrator
- John Smith
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 15 January 2026
- Run Time
- 14 hours 11 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
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
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'Livingston impressively makes these less famous personages feel more interesting and vivid than the usual headliners.'
Publishers Weekly
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'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
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'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
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A must for all lovers of Roman historical reads
Bishop's Stortford Independent
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Michael Livingston
- Narrator
- John Smith
- Duration
- 14 hours 11 minutes
- Release Date
- 15 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9781035922772
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Historical fantasy, Epic fantasy / high fantasy
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents The Ark and the Empire by Michael Livingston, read by John Smith.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 GODSJulius 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
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