Book Four, like the others in the Septimus Heap series, is filled with action, drama, and quirky characters, and narrator Gerard Doyle excels in managing all of these elements. Doyle takes listeners along on Septimus's Magykal journey. This time, there's trouble at the Castle, with Merrin Meredith out to get Septimus, who is himself trying to rescue Nicko, who's trapped in another time. Doyle pulls out all the stops as he spins this tale with insightful characterizations (he gives depth even to that sorry piece of work, Merrin) and shrewd timing (he expertly plays up Sage's cliff-hanger chapter ends). Sage's lighter, more humorous moments and little insights on human nature are also amply available to listeners in this pleasing production.
Young AdultPub Date: Feb. 4, 2009
Duration: 14 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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