Carol Monda's precise performance keeps the listener from figuring out too soon that this is a satire--a very weird satire. She sounds so serious, so professional, even as the story gets more and more absurd, that some listeners may not believe this nonsense is anything more than a fever dream. She keep the listener interested, but in the cold light of day, this is sleazy, bad porn. The overly detailed descriptions of female genitalia and masturbation are the opposite of erotic. Heroine Penny Harrigan, unbelievably, allows herself to become a test subject for a new line of sex toys. The gadgets work so well that millions of women lock themselves away and eventually go crazy and die. Men, for lack of sex, go crazy and attack women. Say it with me-- what??? M.S.
Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2014
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470383909
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The story is delightfully gripping and chilling, and Rey and Corzo's warm voices deepen listeners' emotional investment.
In her debut novel, Gómez bewitches listeners with this gothic horror tale centered on two women. Narrators Elena Rey and Frankie Corzo enliven the story while conveying its emotional depth. Set in Oakland, California, in 1968, the story follows Natalia Fuentes, a caretaker who hopes to free heiress Violeta Miramontes from a spell that has left her incapacitated. Despite herself, Natalia begins to develop feelings for Violeta. As she grows increasingly desperate to break the spell, Natalia confronts her past and the powerful magical forces at a devastating cost. Rey and Corzo ground the narrative by skillfully using pacing and tone to capture the characters' emotions.
The story is delightfully gripping and chilling, and Rey and Corzo's warm voices deepen listeners' emotional investment.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 9 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217338108
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
A theatrical approach and comedic timing make this a narration win.
Mark Sanderlin narrates this cozy gay romance about two bros on a quest. Juniper loves his life with his strictly platonic best friend, Mo; their cat; and his skincare routine. But when both men land in jail, volunteering to find a dragon is a promising alternative to imprisonment. Sanderlin’s narration perfectly suits the tongue-in-cheek humor. His delivery emphasizes Juniper’s melodramatic personality, while Mo has a deeper voice and a more leisurely pace, befitting a thoughtful character. When Juniper and Mo banter, Sanderlin seamlessly switches between the two. And as both bros warm toward each other, the romantic tension is amplified. Sanderlin’s voice for dragon child Bear is especially adorable.
A theatrical approach and comedic timing make this a narration win.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217338122
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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