The best historical fiction illuminates the past and brings it to life, building a human connection between eras. This audiobook animates historical details of the Women's Army Corps, offering three different perspectives from the only unit of Black women to serve overseas during WWII. Robin Miles's performance is strong: She is brisk and confident, maintaining both a focused pace and engaging phrasing. The dialogue is well delivered, with credible voices that are easy to follow. However, the characters themselves remain rather two-dimensional, despite Miles's skill. Bernadette, Mary Alyce, and Stacy are interesting to meet but still difficult to get to know. This audiobook is best for listeners who can accept the characters' remaining at arm's length as they immerse themselves in another time period.
Pub Date: July 18, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488228179
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
