Honorine, a young maid in Lord Vidalia's mansion, becomes embroiled in a power struggle between the Mapmaker and Captain Oliphant, who are fighting for control of the Mordant, which are physical manifestations of constellations. Narrator Amy Landon taps into Honorine's sense of loyalty and willingness to stand up for what's right. The Mapmaker exudes primordial power from every pore in a deceptively friendly voice just seconds from being truly menacing. Each Mordant's voice reflects its celestial gift; stellar examples include the steady baritone of Lux, the protector; the soothing tones of Serona, the healer; and the confidence of Astrella, the leader. The building tension never wavers as Honorine is rescued by a sea monster, sabotages machinery, and joins her companions in waging a final battle against the hounds of hell.
(Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: April 11, 2017
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781478915409
Publisher: Hachette 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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