Multiple perspectives enliven this science-fiction audiobook, narrated with poise and nuance by Almarie Guerra. Set in a near-future Los Angeles, the story focuses on an alien invasion as experienced by three Latinx teens: rule-abiding Luna, who's grieving her cousin's death from COVID-19; devoted Instagrammer Pedro, whose flamboyance hides a difficult homelife; and quiet Rafa, who's determined to protect his unhoused family. Guerra voices all three perspectives in the same smooth cadence, providing character voices and accents for dialogue. (This tactic is rendered chilling when Guerra portrays the alien "visitor," whose voice mimics those it hears.) Though the story's abrupt ending may cause some frustration, the audio experience is satisfying, especially for listeners who prefer inclusive, thought-provoking speculative stories.
(Science fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Oct. 26, 2021
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781980044147
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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
The satisfying, cozy resolution affirms the magic of romance, the power of loving a place, and the rewards of taking risks.
Soneela Nankani’s quiet narration carries a wish and a promise, setting the tone for high school junior Calisa’s escape from Brooklyn to her estranged great-aunt’s B&B in Vermont. Calisa, hurt from a breakup, receives a caustic welcome from her Auntie Zee and discovers an inn in disrepair. Nankani gives voice to the inn’s strange guests, who have puzzling manners, and gradually the odd occurrences Calisa notices begin to point in a distinctly enchanted direction. As Calisa travels through the inn’s portals to magical lands, Nankani’s narration helps listeners experience the richness Calisa finds. Tension builds as Auntie Zee goes missing, the inn’s future is threatened, and Calisa must decipher family secrets.
The satisfying, cozy resolution affirms the magic of romance, the power of loving a place, and the rewards of taking risks. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217171934
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: today
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