In a sweetly luminous tone, narrator Cassandra Morris brings forth the wonder of Lloyd's latest magical tale. Morris's youthful voice communicates the goodness of 12-year-old Mallie, who toils ceaselessly to support her destitute family. The family lives high on Forgotten Mountain, a place once suffused with starlight and dreams but now clogged with dusty despair. Times are so hard that Mallie agrees to a desperate venture, complete with flying horses, terrifying monsters, and gold-dust-covered mountains. Morris channels Mallie's effervescent optimism and determination, along with the deep love that she feels for her family, particularly her younger brother, Denver. Morris's rendition of Mallie's "Mountain Girl" song is lovely and moving, a poignant audio treat that will resonate with listeners long after the story's close.
(Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Arsenault’s passionate performance brings this alternative world to life.
Fourteen-year-old Tessa lives in a dystopian world with a leader who has banned books and taken away the personal liberties of its citizens. Elise Arsenault establishes a steady pace with her narration. When an older neighbor is taken to elder care, Tessa finds a box of forbidden books in her house that changes everything. Arsenault captures Tessa’s tumultuous emotions as she learns about the past and discovers that her long-lost twin brother, Theo, who disappeared years ago, may still be alive. Fans of Lowry’s The Giver will be intrigued by this world, one that feels frighteningly plausible.
Arsenault’s passionate performance brings this alternative world to life. (Dystopian. 9-12)Pub Date: today
Duration: 5 hrs, 49 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063515130
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
Simply marvelous.
Samuel West gives a riveting performance of this thrilling, action-packed adventure. When scholar Irian Guinne is kidnapped, Christopher and Anya, along with Jacques the dragon and Ratwin the ratatoska, embark on an odyssey across the Glimouria Archipelago to collect various magical objects and ransom Irian’s release. Christopher is also trying to master his new ability to connect directly to the minds of magical creatures. West doesn’t have a youthful voice, but he’s still completely convincing as the young characters, and he deftly captures every moment of humor, fear, peril, and wonder. In his telling, a dangerous race becomes breathless and impossible to pause, and the themes of love, bravery, and kindness ring true.
Simply marvelous. (Fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 4 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593830123
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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