It’s been nine years since Clare Macleod’s mother died, and now she and her father are returning to their old home by the sea in Ireland, where Clare’s destiny awaits. Colby Minifie provides a perfectly paced, nuanced delivery of this magical tale. She brings all the characters to life and excels with accents—from the Scottish brogue of Clare’s father to the Irish lilt in the voices of Claire, Jill, and the fairies. Her rhythm and intonation turn every sentence into a poem and give the story the sound of ancient Irish lore. Listeners will find themselves immersed in a magical world that weaves the Time and the Timeless, the fey and the humans into an intriguing tapestry.
(Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Jan. 19, 2016
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780147525642
Publisher: Listening Library
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
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration.
Joe Jameson’s versatile performance of this audiobook drives the listening experience. This fantasy follows four teenagers chosen to wield elemental powers to stop an encroaching eternal night. Jameson narrates with distinct vocal characterizations, shifting smoothly between youthful humor and heavier emotional beats. His pacing keeps listeners grounded through complex worldbuilding while sustaining momentum during action scenes. Particularly notable is his restrained, empathetic handling of one character’s psychosis. Jameson’s narration emphasizes emotional authenticity, allowing listeners to connect with characters’ struggles as much as with the adventure itself.
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668162460
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
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