Narrator Bernard Setaro Clark has no trouble conveying the emotion and suspense of this futuristic adventure. The sequel to WHEN WE WAKE, the story is told by Abdi Taalib, a third-world immigrant from Djibouti whose scholarship and visa to Australia were granted on the strength of his singing voice. Abdi, along with Tegan (the first frozen and successfully revived person, featured in the first installment), is being tortured by the government. When the two teens are rescued, it isn't always clear who can be trusted. While Clark's pacing and tone keep listeners on the edge of their seats, he's not equal to the demands of the Australian accent--all the supporting characters sound the same and seem to hail from a grating not-quite-down-under nation.
(Science fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2014
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781478953449
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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