Among the Burning Flowers

Set in Yscalin, a sun-drenched kingdom on the edge of catastrophe, this prequel novella to Samantha Shannon's bestselling *Priory of the Orange Tree* traces the sparks before the fire. Marosa Vetalda is a captive in her father's court, watching her chance for a better world hinge on a distant political alliance. Hunter Estina Melaugo tracks creatures that have slept across the land for centuries, sensing that something ancient is waking. When the wyrm Fýredel stirs, the fragile hopes these characters carry begin to crack.

The three-narrator production is well-matched to the novella's braided structure. Arty Froushan, Gemma Whelan, and Patricia Allison each claim a distinct register, keeping the interwoven storylines easy to follow and emotionally grounded. At just over eight hours, the pacing is tight without feeling rushed. Shannon's layered world-building gains particular texture in audio, rewarding listeners who arrive here before the main series.