Amanda Dolan mesmerizes listeners with her raw portrayal of Endla, a mysterious magical island inhabited by fierce protectors and surrounded by a poisonous lake to deter outsiders from entering. Teenager Leelo possesses the gift of magical song that is necessary for the island's survival; those who don't have the same gift, such as her younger brother, are exiled from the island. When an outsider named Jaren arrives on Endla, Leelo makes an unthinkable choice that puts them both in danger and sparks revelations of Endla's history that will alter things forever. Dolan's ability to portray both innocence and complicity will hold listeners fast. She captures teenage longing and rebellion with a truth that is as compelling as it is believable.
(Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: 2022
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488215162
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: N/A
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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