With enunciation so sharp it could carve a glass slipper, Zura Johnson deftly navigates the twists and turns of this fractured fairy tale based loosely upon "Cinderella." The story is told from the point of view of Ash, whom Johnson embodies with a posh British accent and an unassuming tone that shifts smoothly to biting wit. Johnson delivers an impressive array of male and female voices that enliven the colorful characters Ash encounters as she infiltrates the royal court through a political gambit cooked up by her stepmother and stepsisters. While lengthy periods of introspection occasionally stymie the plot, Johnson's consistent characterizations and expert pacing cast a vocal spell, keeping listeners engaged throughout.
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
Duration: 18 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593743003
Publisher: Random House 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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