This audiobook is a contemporary fantasy in which magic is real—and so are the monsters who are drawn to it. Hunted by these creatures, young magic users attend Scholomance, the only place they can go to learn the skills they need to survive. But those who don’t learn quickly or form alliances soon pay the ultimate price. El has all these obstacles and more. She comes across as a very put-upon character, a trait that narrator Anisha Dadia highlights with just the right amount of exasperation and sarcasm. Dadia adeptly conveys the story, matching Novik’s conversational writing style. With danger at every turn, the plot soon escalates to showcase El’s ultimate fight for survival. Who has time for homework, anyway?
Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2020
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593287415
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This tale of a man trying to prevent a catastrophe is brilliantly told.
The final installment of the Talisman Trilogy is a bizarre story about a man who can travel between our world and a ruined and savage netherworld on the verge of destruction. The best part is narrator Patton Oswalt, who ferries listeners through the massive 22-plus-hour work. Oswalt's narration is solid and engaging as he reveals the mysteries of Mid-world, a place somehow connected to the American Midwest. Like that of the main character, former cop Jack Sawyer, the journey for listeners is a long one, but fortunately ours is far less dangerous and more rewarding than Sawyer’s. He’s assisted and opposed by a peculiar group of characters who help move the story along.
This tale of a man trying to prevent a catastrophe is brilliantly told.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 22 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668171578
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2027
Weaving elevates an exceptional story that raises questions about modern society in a compulsively listenable experience.
Hugo Weaving narrates a thought-provoking adventure that blends science fiction and fantasy with intriguing philosophical quandaries. On a planet controlled by an omniscient network known as Maya, a young man invisible to Maya attempts to win the upcoming Divya Trials. The winner will achieve godhood—but everyone on the planet is able to compete. Weaving wields his clipped theatrical voice masterfully, giving a sense of weight to the larger narrative. He imbues the characters with subtle voices, using his skill to great effect. The intricate worldbuilding benefits from Weaving guiding listeners to the most important aspects with subtle inflections and emphasis.
Weaving elevates an exceptional story that raises questions about modern society in a compulsively listenable experience.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668157992
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
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