The Amber Owl

Juliet Marillier

Mar 2025 · Bolinda · Narrated by Emma Drysdale

Audiobook

15 hr 8 min

Unabridged

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About this audiobook

Stasya lives in an isolated farming village on the edge of the mysterious Heartwood Forest with her unusual dog for company. Thought odd by the locals, she is tolerated for her rare gift with animals. Engaging with her fellow humans is difficult, with one exception: goatherd Lukas, who shares her love of storytelling. The peace of Heartwood is shattered when a group of soldiers descends, under orders from the Ruler of the Northlands. Their mission: to hack a path through the forest and find the fabled treasure said to lie deep within. The task is clearly impossible. The forest is alive with bears and wolves, and the old tales speak of evil spirits, monsters and uncanny beings. Nobody has ever gone deep into Heartwood Forest and returned safe and well. When Stasya raises her voice in protest, she is removed from her beloved home and transported to court – a different world. Word of her special skills has reached the Ruler’s ears, and Lady Elisabeta has a job for her. But Stasya will not break her vow to protect the forest, even under the most appalling threat.

About the author

Juliet Marillier has been a full-time writer of historical fantasy for more than twenty years. She was born and educated in Aotearoa New Zealand but now lives in Western Australia. She has written more than 20 novels for adults and young adults, as well as a collection of short fiction. Marillier has won many awards for her writing, including: five Aurealis Awards and four Sir Julius Vogel Awards; the American Library Association’s Alex Award; the Prix Imaginales; and the 2019 Sara Douglass Book Series Award for the Blackthorn & Grim series. In 2025 she was awarded a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the fantasy genre by the World Fantasy Awards.

Emma Drysdale is a British actress who has been living in Melbourne since 2018. She is a graduate from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a versatile actress across stage, screen, musical theatre and voice over. Credits include the Oliver award-winning 'Goodnight Mr Tom' in London’s West End and voicing the Sprinkle Fairy for 'Big Words, Small Stories' for ABC Kids.

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