Welcome to a dystopian hellscape in which coastal cities are washed away and survivors scavenge for scraps of plastic to trade for food and goods. Narrator Brittany Pressley enhances the bleakness of this world. As her voice depicts the environment, every word is heavy with hopelessness. She brings grim resignation to Coral, a plastic "plucker" whose young son, Shanghai, is forced to work in a factory. Pressley adeptly shifts between Coral and the voices of child slaves, erotic dancers, drugged-out factory guards, and the "mayor" of Trashlands, who rules through violence and exploitation. When a journalist arrives to research life in "Scrappalachia," Coral begins to envision a different future for herself and her son. Listeners are left feeling their engaging story is only just beginning.
Pub Date: Oct. 26, 2021
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488212550
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.
Four narrators bring this debut novel to life. Otta is an experienced diver returning to her hometown, where she meets May. May enlists her help to search for her daughter, Daphne, who has disappeared from an underwater community created years ago by a flooded valley. Charles Linshaw narrates interstitial chapters that give insight into the underwater town’s difficult beginnings. His voice reflects both uncertainty and tenacity. Emma Ladji pours world-weariness into Otta, who is reeling from a recent tragedy. Leeanna Albanese fills Daphne’s voice with hope and wonder as she makes discoveries. As May, Gail Shalan sounds almost hysterically desperate.
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 29 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217173983
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.
Samek's collection of 12 short stories is thought provoking, surreal, and original. These creative stories are linked by several common threads: psychology, technology, and time. Narrator Chandler Gregoire adopts a personable tone, feminine and relatable, though her pacing can sometimes become a little bit rapid. Several standout stories from the collection include the titular tale of an older brother who has a puppeteer to control him; “Muscle to Muscle, Toe to Toe,” in which a couple is matched by an algorithm but it ends up feeling artificial; and “The Cloud,” in which mothers' limbs are stored in the cloud.
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217278107
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
