The Empress Sword is a podcast novel by Paulette Jaxton so the easiest way to listen to it is to use the link on her webpage to subscribe for free via itunes if you want the full version along with comments before the story and "Dragon Chat" for feedback after the story or the Podioboods subscription which includes only the story.   It's a full audio drama featuring music sound effects and each cast member has their own voice.   

It's a story about Aster, a prince and sole heir to throne of Caladon, who overhears his father King Cosmos talking with his sorcerer, Mandoline of "The Empress Sword" as the only hope to end the 10 year long reign of destruction of Mandrake the Dragon.  Aster finds "The Empress Sword" which selects him as a worthy wielder except one thing which Kai fixes making Aster a "Former Boy" and also becomes oriental as well. Adopting the identity of Astrid, this transboy finds that girls in olden times really were treated differently. Aster clings to the hope that the transformation is only an illusion that the ghost of Empress Afonasia can remove once he defeats the Dragon and returns The Empress Sword, Kai to her.   Aster gathers a family of choice, since the journey and 'illusion' make him only recognizable as Astrid.

At this writing 13 Episodes of a projected 18 have been released with each episode containing 2 chapters of the novel.  We won't find out until near the end if Aster is stuck as Astrid (which is why that keyword was not initially attached to this.)  Even if Aster returns to boyhood in the end (and that is now my personal guess as to what will occur), I feel that the excellence of this story is worth it in the end.   Changing back will reunite a boy with his parents and spending this adventure as a "former boy" will make Aster a very wise ruler when he becomes King of Caladon.   

Please listen to the wonderful story of "The Empress Sword"