Ian Alexander thoughtfully narrates this YA novel about Liam, a nonbinary teen whose older brother, Ethan, has just died. They're struggling to return to normal life, especially since their two best friends have little patience for their grief. They start hanging out with Ethan's best friend instead, a friendship that brings them unexpected comfort. Alexander's voice carries a full spectrum of emotions. At one point, Liam breaks down crying; in another scene, they explode with rage. The emotional intensity of everything Liam is going through is ever-present in Alexander's narration. Their secondary character voices sometimes sound a bit forced compared with the rawness they use to portray Liam, but that doesn't detract much from their overall performance of this powerful audiobook about grief and healing.
(Fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: June 1, 2021
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781338773620
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship.
Michelle H. Lee has narrated several of Hur’s books, and here she proves her talents once again. Her narration easily moves between the dual perspectives of novel-loving commoner Haewon and writer Lord Yu Seojun in 1792 Korea, during the Joseon Dynasty, a time when fiction has been banned. Lee clearly identifies the many secondary characters while she portrays the oil-and-water meeting of the protagonists. Seojun dismisses Haewon because of her lower class, while Haewon detests his arrogance. Listeners may realize sooner than the protagonists do that they have already revealed their true hearts while exchanging secret letters. Haewon is “Magpie,” a committed fan of “Black Lotus,” Seojun’s alter ego.
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship. (Historical romance. 14-adult)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217345687
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: June 6, 2026
Tyo delivers a mic drop of a performance.
Ambrosia Lee is an actress. Well, a former actress. She’s still in high school, and already she’s lost roles because of her body type. Narrator Shannon Tyo handles Ambrosia’s adversities with a voice that sounds like an eye roll: casually comedic. Ambrosia is not the type to wallow, and she quickly finds a new passion in stand-up comedy. Tyo delivers Ambrosia’s jokes with confidence and sarcasm, adding levity to the animosity among the predominantly male crowd that sometimes greets these jokes. At home, Tyo deftly captures Ambrosia’s experience as an Asian American and the child of divorced parents. On the screen, stage, and page, Ambrosia shines. Listeners hoping for an encore are in luck: Author Park narrates notes on stand-up at the end.
Tyo delivers a mic drop of a performance. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217295326
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: June 6, 2026
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