[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review of OUTCAST and OATH BREAKER.]--The fourth installment (OUTCAST) of Paver's prehistoric saga finds Torak marked as a soul eater, cast out from the clans, and succumbing to a soul sickness that robs him of his ability to distinguish good from evil and his powers to survive. As in the first three tales, Ian McKellen's opulent, melodic voice beckons listeners into Torak's world. Vengeance and change are the themes of the fifth episode (OATH BREAKER), and, once more, this richly imagined world is animated by McKellen's unvoiced reading, unfolding with sumptuous intonation and perfectly measured pacing. As Torak, Renn, and Wolf seek to avenge the death of a friend, McKellen draws us into their struggles by using his voice like a musical instrument, heightening the drama of warring clans and evil mages and softening his tones to spine-tingling effect when crisis is at hand. These are masterful performances.
Ages 10+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2008
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780061630552
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Sensory details, careful characterization, and realistic emotions make for a relatable historical tale.
Elise Arsenault’s wide-ranging accents transport listeners to 1277 Winchester, England, and introduce us to three 11-year-olds who dub themselves the Unusuals. With crisp pronunciations, Arsenault portrays the upper-class tones of wealthy, Jewish Chera, who offers unique accounts of her cousin, Lummie, and her poor Christian friend, Joan. Arsenault’s representations of different socioeconomic and religious groups convey the period’s upheaval, chaos, and open antisemitism. When Chera’s grandmother and Joan’s mother are murdered, the Unusuals work to uncover the murderer. This leads to new dangers, including meeting the Uncommons, a group of outlaws whom Arsenault convincingly portrays.
Sensory details, careful characterization, and realistic emotions make for a relatable historical tale. (Historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 4 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063325142
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Stribling’s prodigious skill brings Appalachia to life in this heartfelt tale.
Kramer introduces us to the folklore, religion, and power of community in 1970s Appalachia. Amanda Stribling’s stellar narration breathes vibrant life into this fascinating story. With her believable Appalachian accent, she becomes 11-year-old Delilah, who is struggling to find her place in her family and changing community. Listeners hear Delilah’s hurt as her older sister, Eve, once her best friend, seems to be growing away from her, and her patience as she tries to keep wild and impulsive younger sister Jezzie safe. Stribling transitions smoothly to the voice of bombastic, overconfident itinerant preacher Brother Jones, whose revival meetings introduce snake handling, dancing, speaking in tongues, and harsh judgments to the area.
Stribling’s prodigious skill brings Appalachia to life in this heartfelt tale. (Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 34 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668196373
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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