Fans of romantic fantasy will enjoy the story but not necessarily the listening experience of this audiobook. Sadly, the sound editing of the narrators who use drastically different styles is not well done. Moira Quirk portrays Denna, a princess who is slated to marry Prince Thandilimon out of political obligation, in spite of her romantic feelings for his sister, Mare. As Denna, Quirk speaks loudly, with a cadence that fits her noble character. Saskia Maarleveld's portrayal of Mare's chapters also fits the character well; she gives Mare a quiet, raspy vocal quality that hints at how she feels like an outcast in her family. Maarleveld's narration is significantly quieter and faster than Quirk's. Listeners may be jarred by the sudden shifts in volume and speed from chapter to chapter.
(Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: 2018
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062825445
Publisher: Harper 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
Narrator Phoebe Strole's expert approach to this contemporary fantasy shines. Winnie is one of the four Farthing sisters who've been told they're descendants of Persephone, the Greek goddess of the dead. While talking to the dead had always been the norm for the sisters, it wasn't until Winnie accidentally banished a resident ghost that she came to believe that she and her sisters could be special. When the underworld attempts to converge with their world, the Farthing girls must rise to the challenge of stopping them. Strole delivers the story with poise and an occasional sprinkle of humor. The dialogue between these four sisters--simple and airy as delivered by Strole--makes the story flow.
(Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217290291
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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