Narrator Kathleen Gati deftly captures the tensions of the harrowing 1956 Hungarian Revolution in this powerful audiobook. The murder of 18-year-old Csilla Tisza's parents weighs heavily on her as she counts the days until she can escape from Budapest. Government oppression and scrutiny by state security push her and new friends Azriel, an angel of death, and Tamás, a man who is seeking his missing lover, to join others in the protest for better lives. Each chapter begins with a tone-setting passage from Csilla's father's journal, performed with sangfroid by Steven Jay Cohen. Gati's delivery of Eastern European accents during dialogue combined with unaccented narrative, accurate pronunciation of Hungarian names, and authentic-sounding Yiddish provides vitality. Intense emotion and building tension make this a fascinating dip into history with a touch of fantasy.
(Historical fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: April 5, 2022
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593506530
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
Nassif gives an emotional voice to survivors of bullying.
Victoria Nassif narrates this story of magic, grief, and racism. Syrian American Jihad Dabbagh enters a private school in her senior year of high school, and she hopes to attend an art school for college. Her name and the hijab she wears make her the target of dangerous bullies. To cope, she draws in a magical sketchbook, telling the story of her deceased mother’s journey from Syria to the U.S. Nassif relates Jihad’s story beautifully, taking her from a shy, introverted teen to a strong Muslim woman willing to call out bullies for their behavior. Her Arabic pronunciations lend authenticity to this story, helping to bring Jihad’s world to life, and she’s equally adept with the pretentious accents of the privileged white students at the academy.
Nassif gives an emotional voice to survivors of bullying. (Fabulism. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657515
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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