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An Even Greater Challenge
One True King follows the people in a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos after their king has disappeared on a quest, leaving his companions to wonder where he is while his enemies try to take advantage of the situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
While The Hidden Kingdom and Shadow of the Dragon presented a number of challenging situations to navigate for Aaron and Timothy as well as their supporters, I felt that the story of One True King needed an even greater challenge that would impact every single character, whether good, bad, or on the fence, and rock the kingdom of Qiledara and the neighboring kingdoms to their core. Aaron’s disappearance created the perfect void and a very destabilizing event that would test everyone in Aaron’s close and distant circles, and his enemies. It gave me an opportunity to develop each character more in the process. I also wanted to expand on the subplot with Penelope which emerged in book 2 because when I wrote Shadow of the Dragon I had a lot more to reveal about her world, so One True King allowed me to do that and also continue to build on the Hidden Kingdom’s relationship with the rest of the world and its rulers’ ambitions.
What was the process like to create the audiobook, and what was it like working with Garan Patrick and Phillip Nathaniel Freeman?
It was so much fun for me to produce my own audiobook for One True King, to pick out all of these amazing voice actors to play specific key characters, and to work with Garan Patrick and Phillip Nathaniel Freeman who both encouraged me as an author by remarking on specific scenes they enjoyed! I was thrilled that all 20+ supporting voice actors were available to record dialogues for books 2 and 3 together so that I would have consistency across my series, and then I wove those dialogues into the main narration file for each chapter. In this chaotic new plot, there are many dramatic and intense scenes and Phil did an outstanding job bringing to life all the evil dragonkin characters as well other key players such as Theodamus, Gueric, and Otheran. After such intense scenes and dialogues, when sometimes all seems lost, Garan, as the main narrator, with his familiar, reassuring voice, brings us back to a sense of normalcy and makes us feel that, just maybe, things will turn out alright in the end. He also did a great job voicing some of the characters himself. Each voice actor contributed so much to drawing people into the story and added new layers to the story’s overall complexity. Louise Porter did an outstanding job bringing a relatively new character and strong female character, Penelope, to life and making her relatable. It was a lot of work pulling this large audiobook together but definitely worth it to hear it all together.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I have several scenes I thought about at length and then wrote down, such as my descriptions of the lower tunnels in the ice cave and its exploration, or the escape from the tower. However, I would have to admit that my favorite scenes to write, and to listen to in the audiobook, were the interactions between Damien and the sentinel, and most of all, the dramatic exchange between the two dragonkin warriors and Damien. Robert Cassyleon did an outstanding job as the evil and narcissistic prince Damien throughout One True King with his many opportunities to interact with his co-conspirators and others. In general, I enjoy trying to throw in some twists and turns that readers/listeners do not expect.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
I hope to release book 4 in 2026 while the audiobook version of The Hidden Kingdom, Book 1, is about to be released on Audible. There are a few loose ends from One True King that remain to be resolved, such as an unsolved murder, and I also want to work on continuing to develop some of the love interests between certain couples. This fourth book in the series will serve as an opportunity to explain more about the way characters learn to wield their magic and provide some backstories that I’ve hinted at in the past but not yet explained. Book 4 will have a few major surprises in it that I do not want to spoil here. Thank you for listening to the audiobooks!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The absence of Aaron since he left on his quest troubles his companions. With his whereabouts unknown, the heroes of Qiledara are tested in ways they never could have imagined, and they face an ever-growing threat from beyond the Amber River. Meanwhile, Aaron’s enemies seek to take advantage of his absence for their own gain. Who will remain loyal and steadfast during these dark days, and who will bring the evildoers to justice?
One True King (Audiobook)
Amy Daniels’ One True King is the third installment of the fantasy series Legends from Qiledara. This addition thrusts readers into a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos. After Aaron, the young king of Qiledara, disappears, the void he leaves behind becomes the heartbeat of the story. An absence that forces those who remain to confront their loyalties, identities, and biggest fears.
The narrative skillfully intertwines its many storylines, keeping the attention of readers as they uncover the hidden dangers in this fantastical landscape. What makes this story so captivating is Daniels’s ability to portray relatable characters who persist in the face of adversity. Each character’s internal struggle mirrors the kingdom’s external turmoil, blurring the line between personal and political conflict. Leadership is portrayed as a burden of sacrifice, responsibility, and painful growth.
I found that the descriptive world-building shines in the depiction of Penelope’s family home, allowing the readers to understand why she longs for its cozy, vibrant warmth. Daniels also vividly emphasizes the incredible power of the magical weapons used during battles, making sure the readers know that this is a force that can turn the tide of battle in an instant. The combination of her rich, detailed settings and the palpable energy of magic makes every scene immersive and thrilling.
The audiobook adaptation only adds to the magic of this fantasy. With multiple voice actors embodying the characters, the production feels like a full-scale performance rather than a simple narration. Each unique narration provides a new level of depth to the story and creates a more intimate type of storytelling that makes you feel as if you are right there alongside the characters, experiencing the thrill of every high and meeting each challenge head-on.
For fans of fantasy sagas, One True King is a fantastic addition to the genre and an already compelling series. Daniels blends intricate world-building and moral complexity into a story that feels both epic and relatable. Whether you’re drawn to personal journeys of characters shaped by love and loss or the political conspiracies of kingdoms in turmoil, Amy Daniels delivers a tale that satisfies every reader.
Listening Length: 16 hours and 44 minutes | ASIN : B0FL3HC2LY
LITERARY TITAN 