This world is an arid wasteland on either side of the Mexican/U.S. border. But 50 years from now it is a separate country: the land of Opium, a vast drug- producing territory ruled by the 140-year-old El Patron and worked exclusively by human clones. Only Matt, kept alive because he is himself a clone of El Patron, can restore its humanity. Robert Ramirez's narration echoes Matt's awakening to the evil around him and deepens the suspense of his attempted escape. As he hurtles through the land of Opium, Ramirez leaps from character to character, each one stranger and strangely dearer than the last. Ramirez's voice is subtly attuned to the humanity in all of them, even the clones. Winner of the National Book Award, The House of the Scorpion is a great mix of sci-fi, adventure, and powerful human values.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2003
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Myths come to life through Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles's stellar narration of this young adult fantasy. Marisol and her mother left their home in the Caribbean to live in Brooklyn. Marisol hopes to leave their island traditions and her family's magic behind. Genevieve grew up listening to her white father's mythical stories from her unknown mother's homeland. When the teens' lives collide, both discover secrets that change their views of their worlds. It's no surprise that both Turpin and Miles are Golden Voice narrators. Their skills bring Genevieve's and Marisol's stories to life as they capture the teens' personalities. Miles exquisitely delivers Marisol's Caribbean accent, while Turpin channels Genevieve's frustrations with her family and her own health. Simply magical.
(Verse fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 11, 2025
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063395589
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This dark science-fiction story about three teens who participate in a doomed space mission is commendably narrated by Casey Holloway. Varied accents for the three teens—who are from France, Japan, and Norway—and strong pacing showcase Holloway’s talent as a narrator. As panic sets in among the astronauts and the teens find their adult companions to be unreliable, Holloway easily delivers the rising tension, and her quiet intensity draws listeners toward the story’s chilling conclusion. Harstad’s story will leave listeners contemplating the fate of humanity in the vast reaches of space.
(Science fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: April 17, 2012
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781611134094
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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