The King Must Die

By: Kemi Ashing-Giwa

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Splinter in the Sky comes a pulse-pounding science fiction adventure following the daughter of rebel instigators and the heir of a power-drunk ruler who team up to save their empire…or destroy it in the process.

Fen’s world is crumbling. Newearth, a once-promising planet gifted by the all-powerful alien Makers, now suffers from failed terraforming, leaving its people on the brink of collapse. Fen has spent her life working as a mercenary bodyguard for a cunning magistrate, entangled in the politics of the empire that shattered her family. But then her fathers—her last remaining tether to hope—are executed by the ruthless Sovereign, who marks Fen for the same fate.

With nothing left to lose, Fen escapes with a single map and an old quarterstaff, embarking on a dangerous quest to seek out the last remnants of her parents’ rebellion. But the underground insurgents she finds may be even more dangerous than the Sovereign’s army. At the center of it all stands Alekhai, the Sovereign’s heir—a brutal, power-hungry force of destruction. Though he embodies everything Fen despises, his dangerous plans might be the empire’s last chance at survival…or the final push to its doom.

Perfect for fans of fast-paced dystopian adventures, intergalactic intrigue, and morally complex heroes, The King Must Die weaves an unforgettable story of rebellion, survival, and impossible choices. Will Fen save her world—or ensure its destruction?

Critic reviews

"Golden Voice Soneela Nankani delivers her usual superb narration. Five centuries after humans, with the assistance of aliens, left the overpopulated Earth, an oppressive empire rules on Newearth. Fen has just learned that her fathers have been killed in prison, so she sets out to do what they tried to: join the rebellion. She pairs up with Alekhai, the sovereign’s younger brother, and together they lead the fight to restore democracy. Nankani deals with a wide cast of characters and is particularly proficient with males. There’s plenty of action, which Nankani infuses with suspense and passion. Friendships and “found family” are at the core of the story, and Nankani captures the many different bonds that are forged."