The magical voice of Julia Whelan casts a spell over Forest's sequel--picking up where THE BLACK WITCH ended. Elloren is still at the university and sheltering Marina, the rescued selkie, with the help of various friends. But life's becoming more dangerous for all those who work for the underground Resistance. Smooth-voiced and perfectly paced, Whelan strikes all the right tones, easily distinguishing a formidable cast of characters through her skillful use of accents and pitch. Her characterizations advance the story while building suspense and stakes. There are many couples in this book, and Whelan masterfully creates romantic tension; for example, Elloren is torn between Lukas and Yvan, with no easy choice in sight. Whelan's narration will please avid fans and delight new listeners.
(Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: 2018
Duration: 19 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781488205118
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
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:
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ell Potter narrates this YA novel, inspired by the legend of the Zikmund bell in Prague. The Strauss family has been tasked for generations with caring for their sentient city's bell towers in order to contain a great evil that lies sleeping within. When teenager Mina's bell rings 13 times on her patrol, it's up to her to prevent the ensuing destruction. Potter's sophisticated British accent gives a sense of importance to Mina and her legacy. However, more often than not, Potter's tone leans toward the melodramatic and woeful, sometimes even taking on a warble. This over-the-top delivery lends a sense of urgency to the narrative, and, while somewhat tiresome, matches the gothic fantasy atmosphere of the story.
(Fantasy. 13-17)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250411891
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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