In the first installment of The Siren Mage romantasy series, narrator Ell Potter transports listeners to a land of myth and magic. After her siren powers emerge, Imogen begs Theodore, a king who is visiting for her engagement celebration, to rescue her from certain death. Forging a blood bond for their safety, the two wrestle with their feelings for each other and the obligations they need to fulfill--all while battling threats to their world. Telling the story from Imogen's point of view, Potter imbues her performance with the siren's often dramatic flair. Her use of nuances in voices fleshes out secondary characters. At an appropriately quick pace, Potter captures the short timeframe of the story. Listeners who enjoy romantasy will be pleased.
Pub Date: July 15, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668649367
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.
Listeners will be immediately drawn into the vivid, sweeping world of the Azalea Dynasty. Narrators Katharine Chin and Eric Yang create an immersive fantasy setting for this powerful story about legacy, hierarchy, power, and politics. Primary protagonist Wei Yin is desperate as she watches her family and her village succumb to starvation, and she is willing to do anything to survive. As allegiances are formed and war is imminent, Wei Yin's talent for poetry gives her a voice, and she learns the dangers and advantages of taking her power.
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435576
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
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: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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