Father-and-son duo Timothy and Samuel West bring decades of classic British stage and film experience to voicing this collection. The tales and poems feature a pair of star-crossed lovers near and dear to J.R.R. Tolkien's heart--the mortal human, Beren, and the beautiful, immortal elf maiden, Lúthien. Tolkien spent years revising and revisiting these stories, based on Welsh folktales and his deep love for his late wife, Edith. Samuel West is especially adept at accentuating the heightened language and finding the intricate rhythms in the epic poems, such as "The Lay of Leithian," which sounds as spellbinding, mythic, and timeless as the ancient Nordic, Germanic, and Celtic chronicles that Tolkien studied and drew inspiration from his entire life.
Pub Date: 2020
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Marsters' weary delivery perfectly captures Harry Dresden's fractured psyche as he navigates a year of mandatory mourning and political maneuvering in Chicago. Marsters doesn't just read; he inhabits Harry's exhaustion, using deliberate pacing and a somber tonal palette that underscores the protagonist's post-traumatic stress. Marsters' gift for distinct vocal characterizations remains sharp, effortlessly pivoting from the ethereal, detached elegance of the Sidhe to the grounded warmth of Harry's remaining allies. By leaning into the book's quieter, more introspective moments, Marsters elevates this urban fantasy's emotional stakes, transforming a year of Dresden's life into a poignant study of grief. It's an immersive performance that makes the wizard's vulnerability feel hauntingly real. Marsters' soulful performance makes this a compelling entry in the Harry Dresden series.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Katie Leung's Scottish accent immediately immerses listeners in the Scottish Highlands in this sapphic vampire audiobook. Rebecca, a vampire hunter, goes undercover at a vampire university to find the Book of Blood and Roses, a compilation of ways to kill vampires. After being attacked, her gorgeous vampire roommate rescues her but accidentally makes Rebecca her familiar in the process. Finding the book could break the familiar curse, but their new proximity heats things up along the way. Leung easily switches between accents and tones to enliven a large cast of students, and her precise pacing adds delightful tension to romantic scenes. Leung's Scottish accent and precise pacing elevate this vampire romance.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217159215
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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