Narrator Jonathan Davis perfectly matches the tempo and emotions of this gothic tale. In Calcutta, 1916, a soldier sacrifices his life in saving two orphaned newborns from a mysterious evil being. One of those babies, Ben, is left at a Catholic orphanage. The boy thrives, eventually joining a secret society that meets in a ruined house dubbed the Midnight Palace. Sixteen years later, the evil presence reappears to claim Ben, forcing the society of teens to find a way to defeat the magic and stay alive. Davis’s delivery is strong. However, the occasional use of sound effects and music under his voice is distracting and muffles the narration. In addition, his slight Spanish accent makes it difficult for listeners to remember that the story’s setting is colonial India.
Young AdultPub Date: May 31, 2011
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's emotional journey in Kao's dark coming-of-age fantasy is unnerving at times due to an exceptional performance by Shawn Jain. Jain's whispery voice is filled with a creepy calm as Matt must determine whether Rae Winter is marked by the devil. Jain emotes tenderness when Matt is with Rae and when he pines for his late mother. While Matt is at school, Jain makes it clear that the teen is carefully controlling his emotions. Jain pivots to anger when Matt is being pressured to "finish off" Rae. Listeners will cringe at Rae's rage when she discovers Matt has spied on her. Fully realized secondary characters such as Matt's landlord and a potential rival help keep this compelling production racing to its dramatic showdown.
(Paranormal. 12-18)Pub Date: June 20, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593681916
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrators Ariana Delawari and Vaneh Assadourian portray best friends Layla and Mira after a road trip mishap leaves them stranded in a motel. Their room is inhabited by a dark force, voiced by narrator Ramiz Monsef. The room wants Mira because she carries the burden of her brother's death; Assadourian's mature and measured voice works well for the mourning teen as she and Layla plot to destroy the space. Delawari's softer and more youthful voice is an ideal fit for the introspective Layla, who quietly hopes she can save Mira in time to express her growing feelings for her. Monsef gives a chilling performance as the sentient room; his deep voice is delightfully villainous and menacing. Listeners are sure to enjoy this dark and enticing tale.
(Horror. 12-18)Pub Date: July 18, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798889567035
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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