Shadow of the Dragon

Legends from Qiledara, Book 2

De: Amy Daniels

Narrado por: Phillip Nathaniel Freeman

Auguries of Peril for the Kingship...

Aaron’s defeat of one of Qiledara’s greatest enemies, with the help of his squire Timothy and other friends he met on his quests, appeared to herald a new era of peace. However, a greater enemy threatens not only Qiledara, but all the kingdoms of man. Even in the Hidden Kingdom, the safest of all lands, their king fears the looming threat. Aaron must discover all he can about this new enemy, while at the same time, deal with trouble brewing for him from his brother’s steadfast and stubborn followers.

Narrated by Phillip Nathaniel Freeman

Cast of characters:

Matthew Biddulph as Aaron the Dragonslayer

Hannah Dere as Elodie and other women

Phillip Nathaniel Freeman as Theodamus, Gueric, Otheran, Corwin, and all the dragonkin

Carolynne Henry as Queen Lysandra, Anna the Diviner, Adele

Bobby Gaglini as Timothy the Brave

Marnie Thomson as Alianora

Cory Barton as Lance

Emily Christine as Brenda

Nathan Phoenix as Nathaniel

Zach Brown as Evrart, the captain of Comet Chaser and the first mate

Brad Grochowski as a Resistance fighter, a youth, old Graybeard, the innkeeper, the herald, and Malchom

James Hernandez as Loman

Rob Sharp as the soldiers from the Hidden Kingdom

Ged Cartwright as King Luan and Owen

Ellen Cribbs as Lady Barbara, the weaver and other women

Kevin Casey as Lord William and Lord Cedric

Jarrett Raymond as various soldiers and guards

Jody Smith as Odette

Louise Porter as Penelope

Scott Fins as the Tailor, Blero, and King Failan

Evan Zimmerman as the bard

Jenny W. Chan as Jonquin and other children

Kelli Winkler as Rory

©2024 Amy Daniels (P)2024 Amy Daniels

Immersive, Expansive, and Beautifully Written

Shadow of the Dragon is the second entry in the Legends from Qiledara series, and while you don’t have to listen to the first (The Hidden Kingdom), I suspect doing so would deepen the experience, especially around Aaron’s backstory and some of the other character arcs. That said, Amy Daniels does a phenomenal job recapping previous events and reintroducing the world without info-dumping, so newcomers can still follow along.

This book follows Aaron (nicknamed “the Dragonslayer”) and a richly woven tapestry of characters including his squire Timothy; Theodamus, a black-armored knight guarding a mystical lake; his children, Nathaniel and Brenda; Alianora, who can raise the dead; and Elodie, who can reverse the transformation of people into terrible dragon-like creatures. Their journey takes place across the magical land of Qiledara—complete with fog-laced forests, enchanted lakes, and hidden kingdoms—and it’s truly easy to get lost in Daniels’ detailed and vivid prose.

Daniels excels at world-building, crafting not just places but political tensions, layered histories, and cultures that feel lived-in. Her dialogue feels authentic, and there’s a satisfying balance between introspection and high-stakes action. One scene involving a bear-pelt’s lore is so beautifully crafted it felt like reading a story within a story. At 16.5 hours, this audiobook flew by—no scene felt wasted, even when the overall plot took its time to unfold.

Narration-wise, Phillip Nathaniel Freeman is a perfect match for this world. His voice carries the gravitas, rhythm, and nuance necessary for epic fantasy. Within minutes of starting, I was hooked by his storytelling. The full cast of voice actors elevates the immersion even further—it felt like listening to a fantasy series unfold on screen. That said, Freeman alone is strong enough to carry the whole book if needed.

If you love immersive world-building and fantasy epics with moral complexity, Shadow of the Dragon is well worth your time. It reminds me in all the best ways of The Name of the Wind—rich, lyrical, and emotionally grounded.

Highly recommended, especially for fans of character-driven fantasy.