Narrator Kevin T. Collins's style is affecting as he delivers this engaging novel, which is rich with backstories. When Cheesemaster Grandible finds Neverfell, a 5-year-old human, in a cheese vat, he's as shocked as she is. The contrast between grumpy, reclusive Grandible and his young adoptee is perfectly rendered by Collins. They live in Caverna, an underground city where babies are born without facial expressions, which must be taught by "facesmiths." The wealthy have only the best of everything, for example, wine that erases memories and cheese that reveals the future, which the drudges must supply. Listeners will be transported to Caverna by Collins's vivid descriptions of the strange place and even more peculiar people. After seven years, Neverfell's maturity is audible as she observes the inequality that surrounds her when she leaves the safety of Grandible's home. Her fear will be shared by listeners as she realizes that she's in danger because of her expressive face. The touching epilogue brings a satisfying conclusion.
(Fantasy. 10-adult)Pub Date: 2017
Duration: 17 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
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:
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ell Potter narrates this YA novel, inspired by the legend of the Zikmund bell in Prague. The Strauss family has been tasked for generations with caring for their sentient city's bell towers in order to contain a great evil that lies sleeping within. When teenager Mina's bell rings 13 times on her patrol, it's up to her to prevent the ensuing destruction. Potter's sophisticated British accent gives a sense of importance to Mina and her legacy. However, more often than not, Potter's tone leans toward the melodramatic and woeful, sometimes even taking on a warble. This over-the-top delivery lends a sense of urgency to the narrative, and, while somewhat tiresome, matches the gothic fantasy atmosphere of the story.
(Fantasy. 13-17)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250411891
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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