Using an ethereal voice and delicate intonation, Zura Johnson elevates this mystery loosely based on ancient Greco-Roman mythology into a captivating listening experience. Tirne, the herald for the god of Autumn, escorts him yearly from the godly to the human world. This time, the magical mirror used for the trip shatters. Tirne loses her exalted herald status, and the human world plunges into an extended, dangerous autumn. Desperate to regain her position, Tirne investigates the mirror's destruction, finding intrigue and betrayal. The lines between lovers, friends, and enemies blur as Tirne slowly discovers the truth. Johnson's vocal agility differentiates each character. Infusing male voices with a deep, earthy tone adds a sultry flair.
Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250341112
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An immersive, emotionally precise listening experience.
Natalie Naudus narrates this gothic audiobook full of ghosts both past and present. Mercy lands on the shores of Hong Kong in 1942 with no memories. She can speak with ghosts, and she earns a living in the haunted slums of Kowloon Walled City. When a powerful new ghost appears and starts drowning residents, then claims to know Mercy, the mystery of her past slowly unfolds. Naudus’ narration will tug at listeners’ heartstrings as the main characters experience shocking, horrific betrayals and trauma. Her intensified pace reflects the fierce anger and high action, keeping listeners on edge. The whispery voice Naudus uses for ghosts easily differentiates them from the living. When the narrative shifts to a second-person point of view, Naudus adopts a compassionate tone.
An immersive, emotionally precise listening experience.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250395788
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
Kealoha personifies Kea with grit, generosity, and kindness as she works for her family and to preserve the ‘aina...
This fantasy about language-based magic cries out to be enjoyed as an audiobook. And native Hawaiian narrator Barrie Kealoha is a brilliant casting choice. Two centuries after the Hawaiian Islands are no longer habitable due to the rising ocean levels, Southern California is the new homestead of the Hawaiian people. The story is told by 25-year-old Kea, a Hawaiian-language spellsmith and the head of her clan. Kealoha’s recitation of the spells is melodic but forceful when the context requires. When a local activist is killed by a spell, Kea becomes a suspect and has to clear her name.
Kealoha personifies Kea with grit, generosity, and kindness as she works for her family and to preserve the ‘aina (land).Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 49 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668162859
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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