On the surface, this may seem like a simple high school drama. The star quarterback hides his poverty from the popular kids; a girl falls for her best friend’s boyfriend; another girl attempts suicide because of bullying. But all is not as it appears since the Furies (yes, of Greek mythology) are in the small Maine town of Ascension, wreaking vengeance upon students. Emma Galvin’s husky voice is appealing and grounds the paranormal story elements, balancing reality with the supernatural. Whether depicting a crowd at a party or an immortal being taunting a human, Galvin never breaks the spell, allowing listeners to suspend their disbelief that the ancient goddesses would trouble themselves with rural high school students. Listeners will find themselves caught up in this tale of revenge.
Young AdultPub Date: Sept. 6, 2011
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781442347946
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration.
Joe Jameson’s versatile performance of this audiobook drives the listening experience. This fantasy follows four teenagers chosen to wield elemental powers to stop an encroaching eternal night. Jameson narrates with distinct vocal characterizations, shifting smoothly between youthful humor and heavier emotional beats. His pacing keeps listeners grounded through complex worldbuilding while sustaining momentum during action scenes. Particularly notable is his restrained, empathetic handling of one character’s psychosis. Jameson’s narration emphasizes emotional authenticity, allowing listeners to connect with characters’ struggles as much as with the adventure itself.
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668162460
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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