Marcella Cox portrays 16-year-old Nigeria Jones, whose father views her as a warrior princess for his Black nationalist movement. Cox also captures the sadness and confusion Nigeria has felt since her mother left. Cox amplifies these emotions when Nigeria leaves home to attend the largely white private school her mother selected for her--which her father opposes. Cox heightens Nigeria's anger at her father's attempts to control her and her longing for her mother as her world expands and she examines Black identity, misogyny, homophobia, and stereotyping. As Nigeria grows emotionally and she realizes what she wants, Cox's performance especially shines. Though the story includes elements that address the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, it's Cox's depiction of Nigeria listeners will remember.
(Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 9, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063281189
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills.
Two women are caught up in a thrilling magical duel in this YA audiobook. Tamsin, voiced by Jo Yuan, is pressured by her famous magician father to follow in his career. Yuan narrates with assertive bluster, emphasizing Tamsin’s desire to escape from beneath her father’s thumb no matter what it takes. Sam, voiced by Mirai, wants revenge on Tamsin’s father, even if it means sending her infamous champion into the dueling ring to destroy his only daughter. Mirai narrates with meticulous care, perfectly conveying Sam’s scheming nature. But Tamsin doesn’t know Sam’s true goals, and as the two connect, they can’t help finding comfort in each other.
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217279890
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
Three narrators find the essential humanity of a group of antiheroes in an action-packed dark academia stunner.
Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E.A. Castillo, and Nicky Endres voice characters who change identities in this body-switching fantasy/sci-fi mashup. When Annabelle Gage uses her illusion magic to steal the wrong object, she’s forced to be the top student’s personal assistant at the infamous Paragon Academy. There, she’s recruited to join a vengeful student, Wes, in capturing the Black Wraith, leader of a violent rebel group. Ana finds both family and secrets, learning quickly that those she once admired might be on the wrong side of history. Castillo captures the nuance of an emotive Ana, who’s trapped in a rotting male body, bringing complexity to her personality and identity. Fitzpatrick nails the seething anger of Wes, while Endres offers a genderfluid perspective on various side characters.
Three narrators find the essential humanity of a group of antiheroes in an action-packed dark academia stunner. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 16 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250432407
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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