Lucy Tregear's narration teases out the magical elements of an enchanted island in this story loosely rooted in Shakespeare's TEMPEST. Pa and Moss believe themselves to be the only humans on a planet destroyed by floods. The arrival of the fish-like Cal and, later, two shipwrecked teenage sailors punctures this reality. Tregear is at home with the lyrical and rhythmic prose, especially Christopher's use of repetition and flowery description. Her narration falls short of creating truly distinct characters, and some scenes blend together, at times lulling even the most careful of listeners. But Tregear's tone captures the undercurrent of darkness in Pa's treatment of Cal and Moss's ruminations on puberty and life before the island.
(Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2018
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501991042
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
Winslow’s deep voice and emotional resonance suit an overwhelmed teenager with too much on her plate.
Andia Winslow narrates this witchy YA fantasy. The witches in 17-year-old Mikaela’s coven are having their magic stolen, and as the next Witch Queen, she’s expected to solve this mystery. She also helps out at her family’s occult shop, and when a beautiful new girl in town visits Mikaela for a tarot reading, she is struck by a vision of her own murder at the stranger’s hand. Winslow easily differentiates characters of different genders and ages and seamlessly shifts between African American Vernacular English and Standard American English. She elegantly adjusts her pacing for action scenes and political debates.
Winslow’s deep voice and emotional resonance suit an overwhelmed teenager with too much on her plate. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217342082
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
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