Waverly, Kieran, and Seth are reunited after being imprisoned on an enemy ship that was attacked, resulting in the death of almost every adult on board. Though the three are thrilled to be back, the reality of their situation soon has them at odds. Ilyana Kadushin adequately voices Waverly, the once trusted leader of the girls, as she struggles to reclaim her status and sort through her conflicted romantic feelings. Matthew Brown taps into Kieran’s doubts and fears for the future, which involves an act of revenge and then, he hopes, safety. This volume is more character driven than the first book, GLOW, and the story development is slower paced. But fans will surely stick with this second chapter of the EMPYREAN’s voyage.
(Science fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: July 17, 2012
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781427222039
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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