Bahni Turpin's versatile narration pulls together the many threads in Nicole Glover's debut novel, a heady mix of historical fantasy, magic, and mystery set in post-Civil War Philadelphia. Hetty and Benjy Rhodes, once conductors on the Underground Railroad, now use their magical powers to investigate crimes in Philadelphia's Black community. When one of their friends is found murdered, the two realize with horror that the murderer may be one of their own. Turpin's considerable talents allow listeners to experience the vibrancy of Philadelphia's Seventh Ward, brimming with busybody neighbors and puffed-up politicians. The intricacies of the case are fascinating, but it is Turpin's portrayal of Hetty--who is strong, resilient, and forgiving--that raises the bar in this noteworthy production.
Pub Date: 2021
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780358306979
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ell Potter makes 1st century CE come alive as she narrates this tale about the warrior queen who tried to drive the Romans from Britain. The Roman tax collector--having no respect for any woman, let alone a queen--attacks Boudicca's stronghold and flogs her when she refuses to bend the knee to Rome and orders soldiers to rape her young daughters. Barely surviving and believing she has the blessing of Andraste, her tribe's patron goddess, Boudicca inspires her people to fight. Potter captures Boudicca as she becomes a force to be reckoned with, leaving no doubt about who's in charge. But Potter is equally adept in exposing Boudicca's softer side as a mother, a lover, and a queen who feels her people's pain.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 18 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063295001
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Su Ling Chan narrates a dark historical fantasy set in 1970s Singapore. It centers on a secret society capable of channeling ancestral gods and a schoolgirl swept up into it. After Adeline's mother dies in a mysterious fire, she tracks down a girl emblazoned with the same butterfly symbol that marked the fire. Chan maintains a fantastic narration that is bright, clear, and almost melodic as she sets the stage for this cinematic listen. She glides between subtle post-colonial accents, while her strong narration commands the ear. Chan's characterizations are consistent, and her characters sound nuanced with careful inflections. The narration and the prose weave together for an intense and emotional fusion of mythology and character drama.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 18 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250417923
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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