In this dystopian novel listeners are led down the primrose path to the City of New Hope, a seeming Garden of Eden that promises a new future for the survivors of “the floraes.” Julia Whelan gives a commanding performance as Amy, the young protagonist who survives the green globs of terror with wit and cunning. It looks like her life has returned to normal—better than normal, even—until she finds herself questioning the principles of her new society. Lunetta's characters—Amy herself; her mother; the silent toddler, Baby; and even the wily Dr. Reynolds—are all superbly portrayed with Whelan's vocal arsenal. Her tempo complements the quick and clever plot, which leaves listeners breathless with anticipation. Listeners who want a heart-thumping ride will find that this audiobook and Julia Whelan deliver.
(Science fiction. 13 & up)Pub Date: June 25, 2013
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062254122
Publisher: Harper Audio
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
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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