A sharp ensemble brings this witty, steamy romantasy adventure to life.
Marissa Clay and a full cast narrate a thrilling romantasy about a bookseller who is kidnapped and enrolled in an elite spy academy. The fey have invaded Europe, but the story focuses on Nia, who is abducted by the devilishly handsome Raphael in the hope that she can help defeat an evil king. Clay shoulders the bulk of the performance, capturing Nia’s razor-sharp banter with aplomb. A talented cast of actors performs the other characters. Layered ambient sounds, from the score to subtle sound effects, including echoing voices and hurried footsteps, imbue the production with a cinematic feel. Clay and a few of the actors play with accents—some playfully exaggerated and others purposefully bad—to inject some comedy.
A sharp ensemble brings this witty, steamy romantasy adventure to life.Pub Date: Nov. 19, 2025
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798896520917
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
An immersive, emotionally precise listening experience.
Natalie Naudus narrates this gothic audiobook full of ghosts both past and present. Mercy lands on the shores of Hong Kong in 1942 with no memories. She can speak with ghosts, and she earns a living in the haunted slums of Kowloon Walled City. When a powerful new ghost appears and starts drowning residents, then claims to know Mercy, the mystery of her past slowly unfolds. Naudus’ narration will tug at listeners’ heartstrings as the main characters experience shocking, horrific betrayals and trauma. Her intensified pace reflects the fierce anger and high action, keeping listeners on edge. The whispery voice Naudus uses for ghosts easily differentiates them from the living. When the narrative shifts to a second-person point of view, Naudus adopts a compassionate tone.
An immersive, emotionally precise listening experience.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250395788
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
Kealoha personifies Kea with grit, generosity, and kindness as she works for her family and to preserve the ‘aina...
This fantasy about language-based magic cries out to be enjoyed as an audiobook. And native Hawaiian narrator Barrie Kealoha is a brilliant casting choice. Two centuries after the Hawaiian Islands are no longer habitable due to the rising ocean levels, Southern California is the new homestead of the Hawaiian people. The story is told by 25-year-old Kea, a Hawaiian-language spellsmith and the head of her clan. Kealoha’s recitation of the spells is melodic but forceful when the context requires. When a local activist is killed by a spell, Kea becomes a suspect and has to clear her name.
Kealoha personifies Kea with grit, generosity, and kindness as she works for her family and to preserve the ‘aina (land).Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 49 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668162859
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
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