The powerhouse ensemble of Soneela Nankani, Deepti Gupta, Vikas Adam, and Akshay Kumar present this sprawling fantasy set in an Indian-inspired futuristic desert kingdom. Nankani delights as proud and prickly Elena Aadya, who is on the verge of assuming her country's throne--if she can master the unpredictable fire magic of her royal lineage. Disgraced assassin Yassen, portrayed with brooding perfection by Kumar, is caught between the mistakes of his past and the promise of a future he can earn only by building an uneasy trust with Elena. Adam's secretive and ruthless King Leo claims to seek a smooth transfer of power from himself to his daughter but may be withholding information key to her success. Gupta's steady tones provide brief but crucial world-building interludes.
Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Duration: 19 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668627983
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A gentle mood and a satisfying puzzle.
A renowned detective and the steadfast companion who relates his adventures solve a crime in this Holmes-ian cozy historical mystery with a fantasy twist. In addition to producing delicious fruit, the trees in the insular English town of Farleigh also grow words in their bark—and one beloved tree has been cut down. With his appealingly old-fashioned narration, Peter Wicks sets the scene in this idyllic place that the outside world seems to have forgotten. As Havelock Harper and Major Sebastian Wright work to uncover the culprit behind the tree’s felling, they also tend to their romantic relationship. While Wicks differentiates accents for some characters, including in a secondary storyline, his Havelock and Sebastian sound much the same, which can sometimes make it challenging to distinguish between them.
A gentle mood and a satisfying puzzle.Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 44 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250472502
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
Maarleveld’s smooth, dark narration makes this murder mystery hard to pause.
Saskia Maarleveld narrates this dark academia audiobook about five mage healers whose final test is interrupted by the death of their classmate. Ysabel was a talented healer, and despite what others conclude, her cohort is certain she didn’t take her own life—she was murdered. As the healers are put to the test during the five-day exam, they come together despite their differences to solve Ysabel’s murder. Maarleveld masterfully differentiates among the main cast, crafting distinct personalities. Banter between characters shifts as the cohort combats their prejudices, warms up to each other, and even enters into romances. Maarleveld pronounces French names and terminology with a refined air that elevates the setting.
Maarleveld’s smooth, dark narration makes this murder mystery hard to pause.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250472182
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
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