Narrator Lisa Flanagan lends her voice to a 2019 National Book Award Young People's Literature finalist. In 1940s Chicago, teenager Frankie and her siblings live in a Catholic orphanage. Pearl, a ghost who lives there, too, observes the people, both alive and dead, who surround her. Drawn to Frankie, Pearl easily slips into her mind while witnessing her life. Flanagan provides a stellar performance, embodying all the characters irrespective of their corporeal state. Imbued with deep emotions, Flanagan's voice is well suited to Ruby's story. Listeners with discerning ears may notice a few early spots of uneven sound quality. Regardless, this is an audible treat for those who like their ghost stories to be more poignant than frightening.
(Historical fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: 2019
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062965127
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Sarah Agha's narration is a marvelous match for this parable, which takes place in an alternate 21st-century London ruled by tyrants. Agha deftly expresses the questioning nature of a young ghetto dweller named Adam Alhambra, who is used to being mocked for his Muslim faith. When he escapes a robber through a hidden doorway, Adam meets a Tyger, who sends him on a mission to discover guardians who can save his world from hate and oppression. Agha excels in her depiction of Adam's helpmate, the more confident Zadie. Agha's gentle reading works well for the layered quality of this production, which combines a fast-moving plot, hateful villains, and admirable heroes with philosophical considerations of creative imagining and finding true power.
(Fantasy. 12-14)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217072712
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrator Michael Sheen's return to the Book of Dust series gives it the spectacular ending it deserves. His versatile skills bring to life daemons, griffins, witches, and humans alike. Twenty-year-old Lyra is searching for her daemon, Pan, who is the physical manifestation of her soul. In chapters that shift viewpoint, Sheen's emotional range and mastery of accents keep listeners anchored to the story--even during rapid dialogue. Sheen excels at pacing, transitioning smoothly from quiet philosophical scenes to tender moments and to gripping action. This satisfying audiobook concludes with an hour-long interview between Sheen and Pullman, which reveals their devotion to the series, admiration for each other's work, and careful attention to characters.
(Fantasy. 13-adult)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 22 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217172504
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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