A father's foolish words--meant to save his dying infant daughter--inadvertently curse his seven older sons to live the remainder of their days as crows. While the plot of this YA novel seems promising, it's also a case study in tempered expectations: This is not a traditional narrative as much as it is a series of perspectives-- the father's, the mother's, the daughter's, and the sons'--told in various poetic forms. Knowing that while heading in will allow listeners to grant artistic license to the voice actors, who appear to have been directed to embody their respective roles in the manner of a live theater performance, an interesting departure for an audiobook. If you're looking for something unexpected, this might be for you.
(Verse fantasy. 12-15)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2021
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills.
Two women are caught up in a thrilling magical duel in this YA audiobook. Tamsin, voiced by Jo Yuan, is pressured by her famous magician father to follow in his career. Yuan narrates with assertive bluster, emphasizing Tamsin’s desire to escape from beneath her father’s thumb no matter what it takes. Sam, voiced by Mirai, wants revenge on Tamsin’s father, even if it means sending her infamous champion into the dueling ring to destroy his only daughter. Mirai narrates with meticulous care, perfectly conveying Sam’s scheming nature. But Tamsin doesn’t know Sam’s true goals, and as the two connect, they can’t help finding comfort in each other.
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217279890
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: yesterday
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