Catherine Ho narrates a collection of dark fairy tales featuring witches, warriors, princesses, and more. Most of the stories in this collection lean into the darker and creepier side of Liu's aesthetic, which Ho excels at. Standouts include "Sympathy for the Bones," in which Ho digs into the bitter desperation of a young woman who refuses to succumb to it; "The Last Dignity of Man," a disturbing twist on the Lex Luthor mythos that allows Ho to explore identity; and the title novella, which is a fairy tale about a runaway princess that allows Ho to voice both a menacing enchantress and a plucky heroine. As with any collection of shorter works, some are stronger than others, but Ho's performance remains outstanding throughout.
Pub Date: June 15, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781705036471
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A humorous narration of a twisted fairy tale.
Rebecca Stern’s narration plays up the exaggerated irony in Waggoner’s cozy political fantasy. Gretsella is a forest witch whose adopted son, Bradley, turns out to be the secret heir to the kingdom. Gretsella’s misandry and pragmatism take center stage as she helps her kind but naïve son settle into palace life—before deciding it would be better if she overthrew his government. With her textured voice, Stern illustrates Gretsella’s ability to take charge and execute grand schemes. Stern leans into Bradley’s uncomplicated goodness and portrays other palace characters appropriately, including the knight Bradley falls for. Stern’s knowing tone makes clear the parallels with modern politics while staying focused on Gretsella’s maternal pride.
A humorous narration of a twisted fairy tale.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217282784
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
A heartwarming listening experience touched by magic.
Genevieve Cocke narrates this fantasy audiobook set in 1920s Montreal. Agnes is desperate to find a new home for her cat shelter and herself after a magical duel in front of her building left only three walls standing. For this and other reasons, Agnes is not a fan of magic, but the only person willing to rent to her and her feline rescues is Havelock, a notorious magician. Cocke endows Havelock with a Quebecois accent, although most other characters have no identifiable accent. Agnes prepares a checklist for most everything, and Cocke makes her organized but not officious. Cocke instills personality in the many secondary characters, including the cats.
A heartwarming listening experience touched by magic.Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217279272
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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