The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Assassin's Salvation

Gritty space romance with a razor-sharp heroine

Written byRuby Lionsdrake
Narrated byJill Redfield
Length9h56m
Release dateMay 30, 2017
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.5 (1,332 ratings)

Free with Audible trial. Cancel anytime.

Listen to a Sample

Hear Jill Redfield's narration on Audible.

Play Sample on Audible

Quick Facts

AuthorRuby Lionsdrake
NarratorJill Redfield
Runtime9h56m
PublishedMay 30, 2017
Rating★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 (1,332 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Space Opera
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Ruby Lionsdrake’s *The Assassin’s Salvation* isn’t your typical space romance—it’s a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled dance between a cynical engineer and a mercenary crew where trust is a liability. Jamie Flipkens, a pilot with a sharp tongue and sharper survival instincts, finds herself trapped aboard a ship of lethal soldiers, and the tension isn’t just sexual—it’s a matter of life and death. Lionsdrake excels at blending hard sci-fi details (think ship mechanics and black-market med-tech) with a slow-burn romance that simmers beneath the action. This isn’t a love story that ignores the cost of violence; it’s one that thrives in the gray areas where morality and desire collide.

Jill Redfield’s narration is a masterclass in tonal precision—her Jamie is dry, weary, and darkly humorous, while her delivery of the mercenaries’ gruff dialogue adds a layer of menace that text alone can’t convey. The audiobook’s strength lies in its pacing: Redfield’s timing turns even technical exposition into gripping listening, and the romantic scenes crackle with restrained intensity. If you’re tired of space operas where the tech is window dressing or romances that soften their edges, this is the antidote—a story where the science feels real, the stakes are brutal, and the chemistry is earned, not instantaneous.

Tags: hard sci-fi romance with gritslow-burn mercenary love storyfemale engineer protagonistdark humor in space operaimmersive audiobook narrationenemies-to-lovers with stakes

Why Listen to The Assassin's Salvation?

  • Expert narration by Jill Redfield brings every character and scene to life across 9h56m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.5 stars by 1,332 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
Start Listening Free
AE

Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I went into *The Assassin’s Salvation* skeptical. Space romances often lean too hard on either the ‘swoon’ or the ‘pew-pew,’ but this one? It’s got *teeth*. Lionsdrake builds a world where the science isn’t just set dressing—Jamie’s engineering skills aren’t a quirky trait; they’re her survival tool, and the way she talks shop (and talks *back*) to the mercenaries gives the story a grounded, lived-in feel. The romance with Kael, the ship’s assassin-turned-reluctant-protector, is a slow burn that actually *burns*—their dynamic is less about instant attraction and more about two broken people circling each other, armed with wit and wariness. That said, the middle act drags slightly with a subplot about a rival crew that feels less urgent than the core conflict. I found myself fast-forwarding through a few of those scenes, eager to get back to the ship’s claustrophobic tension. Jill Redfield’s narration is the secret weapon here. She nails Jamie’s sarcasm, making even the most technical lines sound like they’re delivered with an eye-roll. Her Kael is all gravel and restraint, which makes his rare moments of vulnerability land like gut punches. The production quality is flawless—no awkward pauses or volume spikes—but I did wish the sound design leaned harder into ambient ship noises during action sequences. Still, Redfield’s performance elevates the material, especially in the quieter scenes where Jamie’s internal monologue drips with exhausted defiance. If you love romance with bite, heroines who aren’t just ‘feisty’ but genuinely dangerous, and a narrator who can sell both a snarky one-liner and a whispered confession, this is your next listen. Just be warned: the ending leaves room for a sequel, and you *will* be impatient for it.

Download: The Assassin's Salvation

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Jill Redfield with a runtime of 9h56m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.