In this first installment of a duology, Ella Lynch's British-accented narration introduces listeners to an epic fantasy filled with political intrigue. Humble deputy courier Elen is tasked with leading an arrogant prince and his entourage on a secret footpath through a land infested with poisonous spores. Elen is keeping many secrets. One is that a spore-eating viper lives inside her. Another is that the prince has been possessed by an ancient haunt. Lynch's breathy feminine voice supports the main character's cheery outlook, while elderly secondary characters are given room to gasp their lines. Lynch's extended end-of-sentence pauses allow listeners to absorb the dense world- building throughout the story, while her overall energetic pace smoothly maneuvers through dry interspersed textbook passages.
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Duration: 18 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798331986346
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This time-bending romantasy, set in a nation called Dominion, is told from the perspectives of Sir Una Everlasting and her admirer and biographer, Owen Mallory. Moira Quirk and Sid Sagar bring these two characters to life, weaving the story with finesse. As Owen travels back in time to discover the true nature of Sir Una, they both discover that legends, songs, and stories don't always tell the whole truth about our heroes. The story is told as if each character is talking to the other. Quirk's and Sagar's voices are well suited to their characters and bring nuanced meaning to the story. This adventure invites listeners to explore the nature of storytelling and how it shapes our understanding of history.
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250402936
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Golden Voice Narrator Nicholas Boulton dives into this alternate-history adventure. Sir Seaton Begg and Dr. Sinclair Philips are metatemporal detectives--gumshoes who solve crimes in many different worlds. This installment is set in 1930s Europe, where the pair are seeking the Red King, a group of assassins who are committing murders throughout Istanbul. Boulton's stentorian tones echo throughout underground caverns, blown-up buildings, and dark alleys ranging from Turkey to Germany and beyond. As Begg and Philips team up with old friends and even older enemies, searching far and wide for the criminals, Boulton's performance never waivers. Perfect for Sherlock Holmes fans.
Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668114179
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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