Sam Devereaux and Hope Newhouse share the narration of this lively blend of fantasy, historical fiction, time travel, and mystery. The adventure begins in sixteenth-century Italy, where 11-year-old Federico Gonzaga is a political hostage at the papal palace in Rome. Surrounded by luxury, the pampered boy has everything he needs except a friend. Centuries into the future, a lonely Italian-American girl named Bee is living in modern-day New Jersey. With the help of a peculiar wooden wardrobe, a mysterious cat, and a Raphael drawing, the children are united in a tangle of events that threaten to alter the course of history. Devereaux and Newhouse employ diverse American, English, and Italian accents to distinguish the protagonists and animate an engaging cast that includes iconic Renaissance personalities.
(Historical fantasy. 8-13)Pub Date: May 25, 2021
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063015289
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Simply marvelous.
Samuel West gives a riveting performance of this thrilling, action-packed adventure. When scholar Irian Guinne is kidnapped, Christopher and Anya, along with Jacques the dragon and Ratwin the ratatoska, embark on an odyssey across the Glimouria Archipelago to collect various magical objects and ransom Irian’s release. Christopher is also trying to master his new ability to connect directly to the minds of magical creatures. West doesn’t have a youthful voice, but he’s still completely convincing as the young characters, and he deftly captures every moment of humor, fear, peril, and wonder. In his telling, a dangerous race becomes breathless and impossible to pause, and the themes of love, bravery, and kindness ring true.
Simply marvelous. (Fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 4 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593830123
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: today
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
The satisfying conclusion reveals Itzel finding belonging and home and transforming into a storyteller.
Frankie Corzo, who narrated the first two audiobooks in this SF trilogy, brings this finale to fans. Itzel is the granddaughter of Petra, who was introduced in The Last Cuentista (2021). Corzo expresses story-loving Itzel’s intelligence and curiosity as she grieves her mother’s death and worries about the limited resources on Sagan, her home planet. Corzo depicts Petra with an older-sounding voice, conveying her penchant for telling tales and tenderness toward her granddaughter. Corzo portrays their deepening feelings as both prepare to leave Sagan to return to Earth. Before this century-long journey, Itzel ingests a sleeping capsule imbued with her grandmother’s memories, further strengthening and deepening their bond.
The satisfying conclusion reveals Itzel finding belonging and home and transforming into a storyteller. (Science fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798898851255
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: tomorrow
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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