About the Book
The Traitor Queen is the second book in Danielle L. Jensen's Bridge Kingdom series, a fantasy romance set in a world built around a strategically vital bridge kingdom caught between warring nations. This installment picks up with Queen Lara in exile, watching her father, the king of Maridrina, consolidate control over Ithicana, the realm she betrayed and then tried to protect. When she learns her husband, King Aren, has been captured and is being kept alive as bait to draw her back, she returns to Ithicana with a plan to free him and reclaim the kingdom.
The central tension in this book is as much personal as political. Lara's plan hinges on using her sisters, assassins she trained alongside and chose to spare, as leverage against her father. The story moves between tactical scheming, fractured loyalties, and the ongoing question of whether Lara and Aren's relationship can survive the weight of what she did in the first book. It's a direct continuation of The Bridge Kingdom and is not a good entry point for new readers, the emotional stakes depend entirely on context from book one.
Note that this edition is published by Queen Edizioni and is in Italian. The content is Jensen's original novel, but the listening experience, narration, production, pacing, will reflect the Italian-language release. If you are looking for the English-language audiobook, this is not it.
Narration & Audio Performance
Lauren Fortgang is listed as the narrator, but given that this edition is published by Queen Edizioni and is in Italian, there is a real possibility that the narrator credit refers to the English-language edition and that the actual Italian audio production features a different voice actor. Fortgang is a known and well-regarded audiobook narrator in English, with a clear delivery style and a measured pace that suits character-driven fantasy, but her name attached to an Italian-language release warrants caution before purchasing.
If the narration is indeed Fortgang's English recording repurposed for Italian markets, that would be unusual and worth verifying via the Audible sample before buying. If the Italian edition has its own narrator, no reliable information is available here to assess that performance. In either case, listening to the sample is strongly recommended before committing a credit, especially given the language mismatch between the metadata and what most users searching for this title are likely expecting.
The Audible Verdict
The language of this edition is Italian, and the narrator credit may not reflect the actual voice on the recording. Before spending a credit, listen to the sample to confirm the language, narrator, and production quality match what you want. If you are an English-language listener, you will want to find a different edition entirely.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
Fantasy romance in general translates reasonably well to audio. The Bridge Kingdom series is dialogue-heavy and character-driven, with a plot that moves through political intrigue and relationship dynamics rather than dense world-building or complex maps. Those elements make it a format that, in principle, works fine as an audiobook.
The complication here is the language. If you are an Italian-language reader familiar with the series and comfortable with Italian fantasy audio, this edition may suit you well. The plot structure is linear, the emotional beats are clear, and there is nothing in the book's format that would make audio a poor fit. But if you are an English-language reader, the print or English audio version will serve you far better than this edition.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this audiobook in Italian?
Yes. This edition is published by Queen Edizioni and the language is listed as Italian. If you are looking for the English-language audiobook of The Traitor Queen, this is not the correct edition.
Is The Traitor Queen a standalone or part of a series?
It is the second book in the Bridge Kingdom series by Danielle L. Jensen. It follows directly from The Bridge Kingdom and is not recommended as a starting point, the emotional and plot context from book one is essential.
Is the book narrated by Lauren Fortgang?
Lauren Fortgang is credited in the metadata, but given this is an Italian-language edition, that credit may refer to the English version. Listen to the Audible sample to confirm who is actually narrating before purchasing.
What genre is The Traitor Queen?
It is fantasy romance, specifically a political fantasy with a strong romantic subplot. The series sits between epic fantasy and romance-forward fiction, with readers from both genres finding it accessible.
Similar Audiobooks
Book one in the series, essential context before listening to The Traitor Queen.
Fantasy romance with political stakes and a morally complicated heroine; similar readership crossover.
Another fantasy romance with dual power dynamics and a plot driven by betrayal and negotiated trust.
Political fantasy with a focus on loyalty, identity, and characters caught between opposing factions.
The Cruel Prince
Fantasy romance with a protagonist navigating treacherous court politics, comparable pacing and emotional register.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Traitor Queen |
|---|---|
| Author | Danielle L. Jensen |
| Narrator | Lauren Fortgang |
| Genre | Fantasy Romance |
| Year | 2023 |
| Publisher | Queen Edizioni |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
| Language | IT |
Ready to listen?
This audiobook is available on Audible, confirm via the sample that it matches the language and narration you are looking for before applying a credit or free trial.
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