It's hard to get a handle on this dark story of a boy and his adventures in an ancient coal pit where the kids play a game called "Death." Charles Keating gives the proceedings Shakespearean importance with his solemn reading. This seems apt, since this story is as hard to understand as some Shakespeare, even without the Elizabethan English. Even though Almond just won major honors in young adult fiction for his debut novel, SKELLIG, being lost in KIT'S WILDERNESS proves neither enjoyable nor enlightening.
(Fiction. 12-14)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's emotional journey in Kao's dark coming-of-age fantasy is unnerving at times due to an exceptional performance by Shawn Jain. Jain's whispery voice is filled with a creepy calm as Matt must determine whether Rae Winter is marked by the devil. Jain emotes tenderness when Matt is with Rae and when he pines for his late mother. While Matt is at school, Jain makes it clear that the teen is carefully controlling his emotions. Jain pivots to anger when Matt is being pressured to "finish off" Rae. Listeners will cringe at Rae's rage when she discovers Matt has spied on her. Fully realized secondary characters such as Matt's landlord and a potential rival help keep this compelling production racing to its dramatic showdown.
(Paranormal. 12-18)Pub Date: June 20, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593681916
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrators Ariana Delawari and Vaneh Assadourian portray best friends Layla and Mira after a road trip mishap leaves them stranded in a motel. Their room is inhabited by a dark force, voiced by narrator Ramiz Monsef. The room wants Mira because she carries the burden of her brother's death; Assadourian's mature and measured voice works well for the mourning teen as she and Layla plot to destroy the space. Delawari's softer and more youthful voice is an ideal fit for the introspective Layla, who quietly hopes she can save Mira in time to express her growing feelings for her. Monsef gives a chilling performance as the sentient room; his deep voice is delightfully villainous and menacing. Listeners are sure to enjoy this dark and enticing tale.
(Horror. 12-18)Pub Date: July 18, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798889567035
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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