Lauren Ezzo's somber tones reflect the harsh world of the girls who risk their lives in mountain tunnels to bring the harvest to their isolated village. Through inflection and pacing, Ezzo imbues McKinlay's words with an enduring sorrow. Her greatest strength lies in her characterizations. There is a dogged curiosity to the young children and a cagey determination to key members of the village who are working to shape the lives of their people. The story captures the experiences of the villagers throughout the years, focusing primarily on Jena--a girl who yearns for life beyond the mountain and who works to uncover the secrets behind the rules of her society. A good listen for fans of dystopian fiction and mysteries.
(Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: March 7, 2017
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781536661989
Publisher: Brilliance 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
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