At the center of this production is the character Millie, who is all manner of screwed-up. Narrator Arden Hammersmith ably captures Millie's many moods. A fledgling film director with borderline personality disorder, Millie attempted suicide after a failed affair. The attempt has left her with two prosthetic legs and few prospects until she's hired by the mysterious Arcadia Project, which is responsible for policing an accord between this world and the dimension of the fae. Hammersmith skillfully uses her versatile voice to portray Millie's co-workers, mental cases all. Notable characters include a little Southern woman, a taciturn black man, and an angry Latino whom Millie is drawn to. They must pool their talents to locate a missing fae who really doesn't want to be found. Through Hammersmith’s narration, Millie ultimately develops into an engaging character who heralds a fascinating new series.
Pub Date: June 21, 2016
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781508225263
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
There’s sweet magic in this comforting tale of a coffee shop run by insightful cats.
Susan Momoko Hingley’s gentle performance suits the themes of introspection and healing as three people confront change and seek their authentic selves. Satsuki, a young actress, almost lost her career after an affair with a married man. Her mother, Fujiko, has also lived outside societal norms as a single mother. Fujiko’s childhood friend and one-time romantic interest, Wataru, is grappling with his own struggles. Though the characters’ voices are not always distinct, Hingley brings sensitivity and emotion to her performance, including her portrayals of the quirky and endearing cats whose astrological interpretations guide the cafe’s customers toward greater self-understanding.
There’s sweet magic in this comforting tale of a coffee shop run by insightful cats.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 34 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217404551
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
A must-listen for fantasy lovers.
Lawrence Neale’s narration of this underworld fantasy is so impressive, listeners can almost feel the hot breath of the dragon who lurks below. It’s up to Bait, however, to slay it. After the dragon stole Bait, a human infant, from her crib, she was adopted by goblins, protected by a minotaur, and taught by a talking skull. Despite potentially being a princess, the girl grows up in the dungeon, finding both enemies and chosen family. Torn between two worlds, Bait must ultimately decide who, in fact, are the monsters: the humans who seek to attack the dungeon, or the denizens who live there. The versatility of Neale’s performance takes this book to new heights—or, perhaps, depths.
A must-listen for fantasy lovers.Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657805
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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