Marisa Calin returns to deliver the third installment in the Ruby Red Trilogy, in which Gwen finally has a chance to fulfill her destiny. Gwen is one of the time travelers, and the conclusion of this series will see her come into her own, right an old wrong, and figure out her relationship with Gideon, another time traveler. Calin's British accent is at times proper but is mostly more relaxed, and her choice is a great fit for the character of Gwen. As the gargoyle ghost Xemerius, she uses a more gravelly voice and aptly delivers his wisecracks. While Calin alters her reading to accommodate the emotional roller coaster Gwen finds herself on, the time-traveling aspects of the story make keeping track of characters difficult. Listeners will be best served by starting at the beginning of this trilogy before enjoying the conclusion.
(Fantasy. 12 & up)Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781427233165
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by.
Sylvie Castellano goes on an unexpected adventure with a vintage gold watch and Penn, the ghost who comes along with it. Barbara Castano’s narration expresses 18-year-old Sylvie’s loneliness. She’s recovering from a concussion, and while her family members' lives continue without her, Sylvie wishes for a more fulfilled life; she wants to have fun as well as take on new responsibilities. Alongside Penn, Sylvie embarks on a series of summer activities, which Castano describes beautifully. But Castano's optimistic tones turn grave as the story unfolds.
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by. (Speculative romance. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547619481
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Together, Vilinsky and Chastain’s performances create a forbidden and magnetic chemistry.
Narrators Jesse Vilinsky and Zac Chastain give heartwarming performances in this teen small-town baseball romance. Eliza Crowley has always loved two things in life: baseball and light design for the theater. Wanting to be seen more as the town's rich girl, Eliza plans to spend her summer focusing on a community theater production—until Reed Fulton, a pitcher for a rival baseball team, returns to town. Vilinsky’s energetic tone and nuanced pacing embody Eliza’s strength and love for her family and for theater. Reed is also dedicated to his family, and to baseball, and Chastain’s rich, warm timbre reflects his devotion.
Together, Vilinsky and Chastain’s performances create a forbidden and magnetic chemistry.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280810
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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