Jennifer Jill Araya narrates a novel set partially in Rome. After Aida Reale unexpectedly loses her academic position, she takes a job in Rome that seems too good to be true, leaving her fiancé behind. Araya captures Aida's frustration with her career, as well as the dread she feels at the financial burden of her approaching wedding. The unexpected job opportunity seems like a godsend, and while Aida initially thrives in the new setting, darker aspects develop. As the world hurtles toward the COVID-19 pandemic, Araya expresses the isolation and fear Aida experiences, along with her glimmers of hope. Araya's Italian accent for secondary characters adds authenticity to a young woman's exploration of Rome during the pandemic.
Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 14 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488236235
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Asimov's sweeping tale of the disintegration and fall of the Galactic Empire has never been more relevant or poignant. In the third book of the original trilogy, Dan Lazar handles the material adequately. He uses his limited range of voices nicely, if sometimes amusingly--he sometimes sounds like a foreigner attempting to mimic American accents. Varying pitch and pacing make for a lively narration, and his reading of a precocious young woman, who is ultimately an important figure, is delightful. Technical and editorial problems plague the title. Hearing Lazar repeatedly mispronounce a word that the text itself explains how to pronounce is very frustrating. Intermittent fade-outs on one channel; inconsistencies when switching sides; and low, rumbling background noise mar the sound quality.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Asimov's sweeping tale of the disintegration and fall of the Galactic Empire has never been more relevant or poignant. McKeever reads rapidly, but he also manages to identify individuals, if minimally, and the main characters are voiced consistently. His voice for the aging professor, in fact, is quite charming. Narrative passages are read competently with appropriate emotional expression. Technical and editorial problems plague the title. Intermittent fade-outs on one channel; inconsistencies when switching sides; and low, rumbling background noise mar the sound quality.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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