Narrator Allan Corduner squeezes every ounce of emotion from every one of the many characters he embodies in this Dickensian dystopian fantasy. In the author’s imaginative take on nineteenth-century England, Charlie and Thomas attend a posh prep school. When the children in this world think bad thoughts or tell lies, black smoke seeps from their bodies. While the words "We thank the Smoke" are commonly heard at the school, the school’s purpose is to cleanse the children of the smoke—a “moral cancer.” The smoke is the way the aristocratic class identifies and controls the lower classes. Corduner makes the fantastic believable, managing a dizzying array of voices and sounding like everyone all at once. Vyleta’s exciting, inventive tale is made mesmerizing by Corduner’s remarkable performance.
Pub Date: May 24, 2016
Duration: 18 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780735206755
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.
Kirt Graves tenderly narrates this audiobook about the end of the world. Don and Rodney, married for the last 40 years, have one month left to live as a black hole approaches Earth. They hit the road on a desperate trip across the country to fulfill one last promise. Graves easily distinguishes a variety of characters as they grapple with their impending deaths. He shows remarkable emotional versatility in his depictions of hope, desperation, apathy, and acceptance. Graves gives Rodney a low, gruff, and tough voice, while sentimental Don sounds gentler. Graves’ performance is leisurely paced, letting listeners linger in the stories of the people Don and Rodney meet along their journey.
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435606
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
Guite’s performance makes his poetry accessible.
Author Guite recites his epic ballad, the first of four installments in his retelling of the Arthurian legends. Starting in the 12th century, the Celtic tales of Arthur were recast with explicitly Christian interpretations. Continuing this tradition, Guite’s Galahad is portrayed as the most perfect knight, the embodiment of virginal purity facing potential downfall from the temptation posed by beautiful women. Only with God’s help will he succeed in his quest. Guite narrates at a leisurely pace, his gravelly voice rising and falling with the passion and intensity of the story. An informative author’s note details Guite’s reasons for undertaking this project.
Guite’s performance makes his poetry accessible.Pub Date: April 20, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 54 mins
DD ISBN: 9798895641408
Publisher: Oasis Audio
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026
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