The second book in the Replica series continues the intertwined stories of Gemma and Lyra. Narrators Sarah Drew and Erin Spencer alternate chapters, telling the story from the perspective of each girl. With the print book, readers can choose to read each story on its own, by alternating chapters, or to shift back and forth between the two stories, by reading the chapters consecutively. This version of the audiobook is read in alternating chapters, an approach that maintains the timeline but can make it difficult to follow the thread of the story (there is also an audio version available with back-to-back novellas). Drew and Spencer portray each of the girls in a slightly different tone. Lyra is sometimes naïve and is doing her best to be cautious and to fit into the human world. Drew portrays her with a slightly higher-pitched, uneven voice. Gemma, portrayed by Erin Spencer, is more direct and is presented in a straightforward tone.
(Science fiction. 15-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2017
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062688330
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A swashbuckling adventure with lots of heart.
Barnaby Edwards will have listeners hanging onto every word of this action-packed audiobook. This worthy sequel to Thunder City finds the crew of the Fire’s Astonishment helping the university city of Museion. Its inhabitants are willingly joining the city of London in order to preserve their knowledge and artifacts. But in order to do that, they’ll have to travel safely to the rendezvous point without being eaten by another traction city. With his panoply of accents, Edwards is just as skillful narrating close calls and violent skirmishes as he is with quieter moments between characters. Vespertine, the mechanical Revenant, and her relationships with Small Cat and Professor Stanislaus are particular standouts.
A swashbuckling adventure with lots of heart. (Science fiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798225035891
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
Gilli Messer narrates this YA thriller set in a dystopian future on Earth. Two hundred years after WWII, 18-year-olds around the world must report to government centers to have their past lives revealed. Sivon, who is unremarkable aside from her board-game skills, fears she'll be pronounced a bad soul. Instead, her unprecedented talent pushes her into the spotlight, and she finds herself wondering what secrets the leaders of the world have kept hidden for lifetimes. Messer's distinct character voices make it easy for listeners to distinguish dialogue from narration and women from men. She respectfully depicts a nonbinary character, as well. Overall, her sobs, excitement, anguish, and flirtatious inflections for the various characters add personality to the audiobook.
(Dystopian. 12-18)Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668138243
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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