Chris Harper delivers the second adventure in Jasper Fforde's postapocalyptic "Colortocracy." Centuries ago, "Something That Happened" caused Chromatacian society to become a vision-oriented caste system. Governed by National Color, citizens follow rigid rules and suffer harsh penalties for breaking them. Eddie Russett, a Red, is charged with a murder he didn't commit. Eddie regularly offends higher-ups; plus, he's involved in an intra-color relationship (a big no-no). Harper expertly navigates this minefield of mixed metaphors, convoluted storylines, and painful puns. He develops colorful characters while his highly skilled performance channels Fforde's wacky sensibilities. Fforde's groan-inducing wordplay causes laugh-out-loud moments, but the storyline never overreaches in its humor. A bonus chapter read by Fforde adds shine to this luminous audiobook.
Pub Date: May 7, 2024
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798892736374
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.
Four narrators bring this debut novel to life. Otta is an experienced diver returning to her hometown, where she meets May. May enlists her help to search for her daughter, Daphne, who has disappeared from an underwater community created years ago by a flooded valley. Charles Linshaw narrates interstitial chapters that give insight into the underwater town’s difficult beginnings. His voice reflects both uncertainty and tenacity. Emma Ladji pours world-weariness into Otta, who is reeling from a recent tragedy. Leeanna Albanese fills Daphne’s voice with hope and wonder as she makes discoveries. As May, Gail Shalan sounds almost hysterically desperate.
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 29 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217173983
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.
Samek's collection of 12 short stories is thought provoking, surreal, and original. These creative stories are linked by several common threads: psychology, technology, and time. Narrator Chandler Gregoire adopts a personable tone, feminine and relatable, though her pacing can sometimes become a little bit rapid. Several standout stories from the collection include the titular tale of an older brother who has a puppeteer to control him; “Muscle to Muscle, Toe to Toe,” in which a couple is matched by an algorithm but it ends up feeling artificial; and “The Cloud,” in which mothers' limbs are stored in the cloud.
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217278107
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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