In this series debut, set during the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, 12-year-old Hylas is on the run in desperate search of his sister. At the same time, a ruthless band of warriors known as Crows is set on destroying all Outsiders. Rich in historical detail, this harrowing story of survival and intrigue, complete with a runaway princess and an empathic dolphin, is brought to life with the husky, low tones of British actor Toby Stephens. Stephens excels at capturing emotional tension, expertly pitching his voice and measuring his pace to draw the listener close or to signal danger. His impeccable enunciation helps listeners feel completely at home in the ancient world.
. (Fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd.
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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