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ONCE WAS WILLEM

Joe Jameson guides listeners through a dark yet hopeful fable of a boy who is reborn at a terrible cost. From the moment Willem awakens--neither fully alive nor wholly revenant--Jameson's gruff tone and English accent suggest a rugged, intimately human presence. Jameson's storytelling strikes a deft balance between eerie surrealism and heartfelt warmth, drawing listeners into Willem's moral quandaries and supernatural plight. When describing undead boys or angelic skeletons, Jameson modulates his tone just enough to convey wonder and dread in equal measure. The result is a performance that sounds both raw and comforting, a fitting vessel for this fantasy tale of loss, renewal, and the enduring spark of humanity.

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins

DD ISBN: 9781668647691

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    AS MANY SOULS AS STARS

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    Kristin Atherton gives a masterful performance of this historical fantasy. Every first daughter in the Harding family is cursed to bring disaster, and in 1592 Cybil experiences this firsthand. Miriam is a creature of darkness who feeds her immortality with the souls of mortals, and Cybil's soul calls to her more than any other. In exchange for Cybil's soul, Miriam agrees to allow it to reincarnate. Atherton voices Miriam in a carefully paced sultry tone, perfectly conveying her desire for Cybil's soul--and later for something more. From Cybil's wrathful father and grieving mother to fearful, desperate Cybil herself, Atherton differentiates characters with ease. Atherton's emotionally charged performance of this historical fantasy will tug at listeners' heartstrings.

    Pub Date: Nov. 25, 2025

    Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins

    DD ISBN: 9780063418059

    Publisher: Harper Audio

    Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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      I, MEDUSA

      This vibrant account of the mythical Medusa's short but powerful life expands on her origin story. Narrator Tyla Collier illuminates the young woman's vulnerability, warmth, and passion. The teenage Medusa craves life beyond her family's island home. As she strives to establish her place in the world as an acolyte and priestess of the goddess Athena, she is unwillingly embroiled in the petty dramas and manipulations of ancient Greek gods. A'rese Emokpae's narration bookends the production, recounting Medusa's transformation from a firm remove. Her voice is steely as the resolute Gorgon metes out punishment and infused with tenderness as the epilogue unfolds. A wonderful story that centers Medusa's love and fierce loyalty toward her sisters, friends, and all in need.

      Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025

      Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins

      DD ISBN: 9798217159598

      Publisher: Random House Audio

      Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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