Narrator Anisha Dadia chronicles teen witch El's final adventure. Formerly, El and the other students escaped the deadly Scholomance Academy, but her love interest, Orion Lake, fell in the battle. Now the school's ageless carnivores are attacking wizard enclaves worldwide. Dadia is believable as a teenage heroine, full of impassioned snark at the stupidity of the magical world leaders. She gives El's friends, Liesl, Aadhya, and Liu, distinct voices with accents. But as El travels the globe, battling soul-sucking mawmouths, Dadia struggles to maintain the same story cohesion that El's years at the Scholomance had. At times, El's extended monologues on wizard technique and history verge on recitation. However, Dadia does give El a definitive identity as a half-Welsh, half-Indian witch with an outsider's perspective.
Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
Duration: 14 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593287453
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A humorous narration of a twisted fairy tale.
Rebecca Stern’s narration plays up the exaggerated irony in Waggoner’s cozy political fantasy. Gretsella is a forest witch whose adopted son, Bradley, turns out to be the secret heir to the kingdom. Gretsella’s misandry and pragmatism take center stage as she helps her kind but naïve son settle into palace life—before deciding it would be better if she overthrew his government. With her textured voice, Stern illustrates Gretsella’s ability to take charge and execute grand schemes. Stern leans into Bradley’s uncomplicated goodness and portrays other palace characters appropriately, including the knight Bradley falls for. Stern’s knowing tone makes clear the parallels with modern politics while staying focused on Gretsella’s maternal pride.
A humorous narration of a twisted fairy tale.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217282784
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
A heartwarming listening experience touched by magic.
Genevieve Cocke narrates this fantasy audiobook set in 1920s Montreal. Agnes is desperate to find a new home for her cat shelter and herself after a magical duel in front of her building left only three walls standing. For this and other reasons, Agnes is not a fan of magic, but the only person willing to rent to her and her feline rescues is Havelock, a notorious magician. Cocke endows Havelock with a Quebecois accent, although most other characters have no identifiable accent. Agnes prepares a checklist for most everything, and Cocke makes her organized but not officious. Cocke instills personality in the many secondary characters, including the cats.
A heartwarming listening experience touched by magic.Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217279272
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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