Fiona Hardingham and Christian Coulson's performances bring swoon-worthy tension to this epic fantasy sequel. Kel's role as bodyguard, spy, and confidante to Prince Conor unfolds against a backdrop of whispered conspiracies and royal betrayals. Coulson anchors the narrative with a measured cadence. His subtle shifts in pitch and restrained character voices demand rapt attention. Hardingham counters with poised authority. Her precise inflections and carefully modulated tone imbue the courtiers with both icy hauteur and unexpected warmth. The narrators' alternating chapters merge seamlessly, creating a listening experience that balances intrigue and emotional depth. Though the plot flirts with soap-opera-ish drama, the disciplined performances keep the tension taut and the magic vivid. An audio feast for fans of nuanced character-driven fantasy.
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
Duration: 21 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593788240
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will be swept up in Nielsen's performance.
Narrator Stina Nielsen draws the listener into an epic journey in a fantastical land where the barrier that protects the world from demons is failing. Sorrel is an orphan and, because of her mystical abilities, an outcast in her small village. She is tasked with crossing the Badlands to return a queen’s crown in the hope that she will be able to protect the land from the demons. Accompanying Sorrel on the voyage is a mercenary known as Merc. Nielsen gives Sorrel an ethereal quality, which suits her character. As Sorrel comes into her power, Nielsen reflects this growth by adding strength to her voice. Sorrel and Merc face many trials on their journey, and Nielsen easily builds tension as danger mounts.
Listeners will be swept up in Nielsen's performance.Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 19 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435484
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Hembrough ratchets up the tension while leading listeners through this exploration of belief.
Oliver Hembrough voices an array of fascinating characters in this fantasy audiobook, the first in a planned trilogy. Sister Svangerd, a nun/assassin, and Brother Desiderius, an expert forger/atheist monk, are sent to the Ecumenical Council to assassinate a princess with troublesome views. What follows? The hunters become the hunted; the undead "walkers" formulate their own assassination plans; many deaths ensue. Hembrough’s performance is true to the characters he portrays, from steel-spined nuns and questioning clerics to rage-filled walkers; his narration is replete with dry humor, sarcasm, and a penchant for scoffs and growls in bringing these characters to life.
Hembrough ratchets up the tension while leading listeners through this exploration of belief.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668642269
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: tomorrow
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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