Princess of Dorsa

By: Eliza Andrews

Narrated by: Elizabeth Saydah

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

The fate of an empire lies in the hands of one untested princess.

Princess Natasia is the eldest child of the Emperor Andreth, ruler of the Four Realms. If she was a boy, she’d be the unquestioned heir to the throne. But as a girl, her main duty in life is to marry someone her father can shape into his successor.

Everything changes when an unknown, would-be assassin nearly takes Tasia’s life. Someone wants to destabilize the Empire - but who? Was the assassin aligned with the power-hungry Western lords, who have always rebelled against the Emperor? Was he hired by the barbarians in the East; who are fighting against the Empire’s subjugation? Or was he a member of the mysterious Cult of Culo?

Unsure of whom he can trust, the Emperor realizes that his daughter might be his best option for an heir. There hasn't been a female heir to the throne in living memory, but as palace intrigue becomes increasingly dangerous, the reckless, rebellious, and stubborn princess suddenly has to face the responsibility of learning to lead. Will she rise to the occasion? Or will the Empire fall at the hands of one of its many enemies?

For fans of epic fantasy...with an LGBTQ twist.

©2018 Eliza Andrews (P)2018 Eliza Andrews

Can’t wait for the next one!

I never write reviews, but I as I finished this book I felt like I had to. I was sucked into the story and began to care about the characters quickly. The story ticked a lot of boxes for me as well, such as political intrigue, magic/fantasy elements, romance, intelligent strong female characters , and a bit of witty humor. The performance by the narrator was really good as well. She used varies voices, accents, and intonation for many characters as well as had nice speed/timing throughout the story.

If these qualities seem like something you’d enjoy, I highly recommend giving this book a chance. I definitely was not disappointed :)

20 people found this helpful

The perfect blend of fantasy and lesbian romance.

It has an amazing plot and well written characters. I cannot wait for the next.

18 people found this helpful

For what it is, not bad at all

It kept me listening, and I'll keep an eye out for more. Nowhere near the depth of storytelling as Sarah Waters but A LOT better than most other lesbian books out there. Definitely recommend if you like fantasy and strong female characters.

4 people found this helpful

So pleasantly surprised.

I’ve always understood the concept of representation, but this book really hit home. I love the otherworld/ fantasy genre, and Andrews really did a fantastic job. Being able to actually identify with the characters was mind-blowing. Is this what straight people get to enjoy when they read cis character fantasy books?! Thank you Eliza Andrews.

Elizabeth Saydah did well with the the three lead characters (including Mila). The men tended to sound the same but it wasn’t a big deal.

3 people found this helpful

A fantastic read.

The world building and characters are absolutely phenomenal in this book. From chapter one, I have adored Tasia as a character and can barely wait to read about more of her story. Every character made sense and felt real, and all of the drama came from their own beliefs and desires interacting. It made for one of hell of a story.

The quality of the writing is also impressive. The word choice, use of language, imagery, and style all come together to create a book that is an absolute pleasure to read.

Then on top of that, the narrator does a spectacular job. Each character has their own voice and feels unique, and I'm a little in love with her Joselyn. I hope the writer and this narrator continue to work together and I'm already considering buying their last book.

5 people found this helpful

Buy it. It’s amazing.

It’s an amazing story with intriguing complex characters. It’s the fantasy novel the lgbt community deserves.

2 people found this helpful

Brilliant!

To Eliza Andrews: Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you for writing this book. I can not wait for the next in the series. During my early formative years, figuring out I was bi was a hugely scary prospect. Thankfully I fell in to theatre, which was a widely supportive community, but I wish books like this we're available when I was in the middle of it - brilliant stories with good representation. Thank you, again.

To everyone else: This is an amazing story for fans of multiple genres. There's a sweet under current romance amidst a political coup set into a fantasy world. So much is set for this to continue to be a great series. If you love scifi/fantasy get it! If you like mystery and intrigue with a host of intertwining storylines and motives, get it! If you are part of the LGBT community wanting an exciting fantasy based story with some beautiful representation - get this book!!! Audio was lovely too. Took a few chapters to get used to voice/characters but Elizabeth Saydah does an incredible job. Honestly, I can't recommend this enough.

1 person found this helpful

Exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

I’ve been waiting for a epic fantasy novel that has a queer romance in the subplot. There have been many but none this good. I can’t wait for book 2.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent & Can't Wait For Book 2!

The narration was fabulous, the story was engaging. Took me about a week to get through this book, I listened every chance I could. Can't wait for book 2!

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful fantasy with great leading couple

I don’t usually write reviews but this story was one that I couldn’t stop listening to. The story had everything that keeps me listening: adventure, strong female lead, compelling relationship and many obstacles to overcome. I truly did not want it to end. So please write another soon :-).

1 person found this helpful

Ahhh!

This was a really well written fantasy story with lesbians! I can’t wait for the second one!

3 people found this helpful

Anxiously awaiting the next book!

Refreshing find from an already favorite author, can not wait for sequel. Narrator was spot on as well.

3 people found this helpful

A pleasure of a queer fantasy novel

The characterisation, storytelling, world-building and exquisite queer romance had me absolutely gripped by this story, and I would have marathoned the whole thing in 6 hour stints if it wouldn't have meant I'd be without something to read until I got my new audiobook credit. I'm absolutely in love with the romance between the two women protagonists, and I love seeing it within a fantasy setting. The politics of the world are complex and interesting without being boring or over-complicated, the characters are likable and flawed and develop realistically over the course of the story, and the romance between the protagonists grows and flourishes in a completely authentic way. An absolute pleasure to read, and I'm itching for the next installment.

2 people found this helpful

Awesome read.

I really enjoyed this book . Well written and very well narrated. The voice acting was really well done and very believable. The story is exciting and emotional. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys lesbian fantasy.

2 people found this helpful

great start

I bought this first volume of a swords and sorcery epic just to give it a try.
I was impressed with it to the extent that I "read" it straight through and now have to go looking for the next volume. great start,keep it up.

1 person found this helpful

Good start to an epic fantasy story

A coming of age/ inherit the crown story with an epic fantasy background. The story world is multifaceted; the characters are interesting and still developing even at the end of the book. There are a number of twists along the way ... I am looking forward to the next book.

1 person found this helpful

Can't wait for book 2

Really enjoyed this fantasy book which included a lesbian story in it. It was well narrated and written, can’t wait for book 2.

1 person found this helpful

Entertaining Tale & Brillant Narration.

Enjoyed this & the narrator was on point. Definitely looking forward to the next book.

1 person found this helpful

great listen

Really enjoyed the book. looking forward to the next one.

Only minor issue was an occasional stutter in the reading

1 person found this helpful

Lesbians and high fantasy, a match made in heaven

The kindle version of this book uses sentence spacing. Two presses of the space bar after each sentence, instead of one. A practice I find extraordinarily distracting to the eyes, so much so that I was ready to give up on experiencing the Princess of Dorsa entirely.

Thank goodness I found the audible version instead. Because the only reason the spacing issue is worth mentioning is that this is the ONLY issue I have with this book.

I love the way it weaves a political intrigue without sacrificing the likability of the characters. I love how the romance starts off with the sexuality of the main character already firmly established, giving us something different from the will-they-won’t-they routine we’ve seen so many times before. And I love how the drama feels natural, and always compelling. I marathoned the last couple of hours, on the edge of my seat.

I was actually surprised when the afterwords stated that this was a self-published work, because the language and the flow was of such high quality, I assumed it had received all the resources of editing that a major publisher could provide. It helped wash away some of the biases I’ve been holding against self-publishing, and as someone who wants to make a crack at it myself one day, it gives me hope.

I will keep an audible credit in reserve for when the next book appears on the store. And I hope it’s soon.