Narrator Dami Olukoya's commanding narration and English accent embody Saoirse, a siren in hiding. Her existence is outlawed in a world ruled by the fae, and she conceals her murderous impulses from her adoptive parents while training for a high-paying job to protect her younger sister. When she is blackmailed over her real identity, she accepts a job protecting the fae Prince Hayes. Olukoya excels at the banter between the two; Saoirse is stiff and prickly, and Hayes is smooth and charming, contrary to Saoirse's expectations. Listeners will swoon as forbidden romance blooms between them. All Saoirse's darkest secrets come spilling out in an emotional performance. Listeners will have a visceral reaction to the characters' betrayal and heartbreak.
(Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: 2023
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
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
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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