This demanding audiobook is worth the effort.
Peter Kenny has his work cut out for him giving voice to characters with unpronounceable alien names, including one that starts with a cough. Kenny has a charming, light British accent, and while he reads quickly, listeners will get used to his pace. At the core, the audiobook is about an immortal named Mawukana na-Vdnaze who accidentally becomes a sought-after pilot for ships that travel faster than light as life forms flee the inevitable explosion of their sun. Maw changes both physically and emotionally on his rigorous trips, and the novel juxtaposes the hero's evolving life as he does his job—which will save billions of people.
This demanding audiobook is worth the effort.Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668650707
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
Golden Voice Soneela Nankani delivers her usual superb narration. Five centuries after humans, with the assistance of aliens, left the overpopulated Earth, an oppressive empire rules on Newearth. Fen has just learned that her fathers have been killed in prison, so she sets out to do what they tried to: join the rebellion. She pairs up with Alekhai, the sovereign's younger brother, and together they lead the fight to restore democracy. Nankani deals with a wide cast of characters and is particularly proficient with males. There's plenty of action, which Nankani infuses with suspense and passion. Friendships and "found family" are at the core of the story, and Nankani captures the many different bonds that are forged.
Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 16 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668154366
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Two novellas deliver uneven performances. In RED STAR HUSTLE, Jennifer Pickens, portraying bounty hunter Imadi, is spellbinding. Her voice imparts the heft of every emotion involved with tracking Aran, a sex worker wanted for murder. Ali Andre Ali's performance as Aran binds listeners to the humanity in the audiobook through his deft portrayal of the mental dance of addiction. Kevin R. Free rounds out the production with gusto as the superhuman Resh. Listening to these three romp through the universe is delightful. However, the author of APPREHENSION, Mary Robinette Kowal, should have left the narration to seasoned professionals. Neither of the main characters--the kidnapped child nor his grandmother--sounds believable. Happily, the delightful performances in the first novella make up for the one in the second.
Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668149652
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
