The Sapling Cage Audiobook By Margaret Killjoy cover art

The Sapling Cage

Daughters of the Empty Throne, Book 1

Preview

Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends January 21, 2025 at 11:59PM ET.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Sapling Cage

By: Margaret Killjoy
Narrated by: Jackie Meloche
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends January 21, 2025 11:59PM ET. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $27.29

Buy for $27.29

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

In the gripping first novel in the Daughters of the Empty Throne trilogy, author Margaret Killjoy spins a tale of earth magic, power struggle, and self-invention in an own-voices story of trans witchcraft.

Lorel has always dreamed of becoming a witch—learning magic, fighting monsters, and exploring the world beyond the small town where she and her mother run the stables. Even though a strange plague is killing the trees in the Kingdom of Cekon and witches are being blamed for it, Lorel wants nothing more than to join them. There’s only one problem: all witches are women, and she was born a boy.

When the coven comes to claim her best friend, Lorel disguises herself in a dress and joins in her friend’s place, leaving home and her old self behind. She soon discovers the dark powers threatening the kingdom: a magical blight scars the land, and the power-mad Duchess Helte is crushing everything between her and the crown. In spite of these dangers, Lorel makes friends and begins learning magic from the powerful witches in her coven. However, she fears that her new friends and mentors will find out her secret and kick her out of the coven, or worse.

©2024 Margaret Killjoy (P)2024 Dreamscape Lore
Coming of Age Epic Fantasy Witchcraft Magic Users
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Sapling Cage

Highly rated for:

Refreshing Fantasy Wonderful Worldbuilding Complex Protagonist Unique Storytelling Compelling Adventure
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hits all the genre tropes with flair and originality

Magpie doesn’t as much subvert as mutate the tropes of high fantasy. It is a thoughtful love letter to the classics, and a much needed update to their values and worldview. Her prose is precise,but isn’t afraid to be poetic at times. The politics are overt without feeling overbearing. The ruminations on coming out and considerations on transitioning were compelling,even to this het-cis dude. Can’t wait for the next book.

Good range and dynamics on the narrator. Hope she does the next one too!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

I just loved it so much. Can't wait for the next book and to follow Laurel and her friends wherever they go

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Fantasy manifesting a special coming of age

I looked up the book because I listen to the authors podcasts, and I was not sure what to expect, but I am glad I did. The girl born in a boys body struggles, and the witches and setting and dangers in the world around her grows out of and reflects those of her inner growth in a way that is somehow both dark and wierdly cute. The reflecting inner and puter world tells illusive truths that amount to more than the parts. That makes this book much more than a fantasy escape for those with a similar journey.
Not crazy about the narrator, but it worked.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

rarely a dull moment

very enjoyable story, very apt narration, cool audio effects. will happily pre order the 2nd book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

cannot wait for more

Seriously, Magpie, when is the next one?!?

WE NEEDS IT. WE NEEDS IT PRECIOUS, YES WE DO.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Fantastic Story Told by a Fantastic Storyteller

I recommend everyone read anything and everything Margaret Killjoy has put out. This work especially illuminates so many of the emotions of being a young trans person in a beautiful way alongside world building that would make Terry Pratchett proud. I have been listening with my kids and they love it too--even if I have to explain some things afterward. Easily one of the top five books I've read this year.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unique story in the fantasy genre

Uniquely well written, I enjoyed this all the way through and can’t wait for the next book in the series. If you like fantasy, and you’re tired of the protagonist being effectively all power, this is for you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The book I wish I had as a baby Queer.

The performer was excellent.
The novel is dynamic and exciting. I love hearing a story that models a truly free and democratic sorority of witches!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Margaret’s World building just gets better and better

The subtle and not so subtle nods to various political and anti political perspectives through the lens of ‘medieval fantasy’ was refreshing and added depth to characters choices. The foreshadowing was rewarding to those paying attention, and character development was genuine and engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Fantasy novel for The Modern World

This novel was the best I have had the pleasure of consuming in a long time. Margaret Killjoy weaves a wonderful tale of witches, magic and wonder in a story that reminds us who we all are at our core. The narrator is the perfect voice for the characters. I'm only sad that I have to wait for the next in the series!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!