In this middle-grade fantasy, 17-year-old Princess Adela is passionate about flowers and gardening. When others in the court are invited to the infamous Lady Hortensia's party, Adela dresses, albeit reluctantly, for the occasion, but what she really wants is to see the renowned garden. How her life changes in that bewitched garden! Before her eyes, female guests are rooted into the ground as flowers and spells are cast upon handsome young men. With a lively voice, Kate Reinders brings pluck and spunk to the unconventional Adela; both press on with firmness in the face of unfolding adversity. As the witch, Reinders is silkily smooth; as the jewel-stealing magpie who just might be an enchanted prince (or thief), she is both perky and thoughtful. Enjoy an updated twist on damsels in distress.
(Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: March 12, 2013
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781469275468
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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