A talented narrator can make listeners think they're listening to multiple people. Vikas Adam's crackling narration of this thrilling audiobook accomplishes exactly that difficult feat. During a rise of the machines, Pounce, a tiger-shaped nannybot, must keep alive his young charge, Ezra, while seeking a haven that may not even exist anymore. Adam brings Pounce's angst to life as he debates whether he is protecting Ezra through freewill or programming. But Adam is equally believable as hesitant 8-year-old Ezra and a multitude of other characters--robots and humans--who traverse an apocalyptic wasteland. The result of Adam's vocal dexterity is a memorable cautionary tale. D.E.M. 2022 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: May 25, 2021
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063097872
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A haunting and heartwarming must-listen.
Nneka Okoye captivates in her performance of this gripping tale about Londoners in the midst of catastrophe. A mix of family drama, social commentary, and apocalyptic thriller, the story focuses on the Minton family, whose world literally blows apart on the day of a family wedding. Okoye’s inviting narrative voice welcomes listeners into the family, while her intense delivery heightens the pulse-pounding events surrounding the worldwide disaster. She personifies the diverse cast, changing her pitch, pace, and attitude to believably inhabit Black and white characters of different ages and social backgrounds—everyone from the four sisters, ages 7 to 22, and the Minton parents to panicked London residents.
A haunting and heartwarming must-listen.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668165317
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Irondale's range, combined with the thrilling action, make this genre-bending audiobook nearly nonstop fun.
Tess Irondale’s narration elevates this unique story about an otherworldly AI known as Box that arrives in a post-apocalyptic village. Sky is prepared to take over as memory keeper for his people when an armed force attacks. Irondale’s comedic voices are both hilarious and apt. Alongside the horror and comedy, characters call out LitRPG elements, and Irondale makes them feel oddly natural. She matches the narrative’s fun mix of philosophy and comedy while keeping the entire story an auditory joy. Her capable narration effortlessly shifts between witty jokes, over-the-top action, and surprisingly deep concepts.
Irondale's range, combined with the thrilling action, make this genre-bending audiobook nearly nonstop fun.Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Duration: 20 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9798347018314
Publisher: Podium Audio
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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