Xanthe Elbrick, narrator of two other audiobooks in the Graceling Realm series, here uses tone, mood, and accents to distinguish characters and transition between settings. Five years after Queen Bitterblue has assumed rule of her country, she is en route by ship to the kingdom of Winterkeep to investigate the disappearance of her diplomats when she is swept overboard and kidnapped. Elbrick subtly shifts between fantastical elements like tender, empathic sea creatures and telepathic foxes to realistic characters and situations like the heartbroken daughter of two prominent Winterkeep politicians and the unrealized love of Bitterblue and Giddon, her defender. These disparate elements create a unified whole that speaks to the power and caring that transcend the story's treachery.
(Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 19, 2021
Duration: 16 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593341551
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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