Julia Whelan masterfully narrates the quiet everyday moments of a new world in which people live like settlers. Her voice rises in tones of shock, urgency, passion, and vulnerability when the new normal is tested by raiders and purity warriors that exist "post Doom." This second book of a trilogy features young Fallon Swift, who is both sheltered and wise beyond her years. Whelan straddles this dichotomy with squeals of glee at a child's delights and a tone of determination when Fallon takes on challenges destined only for her. Amid the continual contrast between light and dark, Whelan transitions between the sweetly high-pitched tones of children and fairies and the cruel voices of loathsome villains.
Pub Date: 2018
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Marsters' weary delivery perfectly captures Harry Dresden's fractured psyche as he navigates a year of mandatory mourning and political maneuvering in Chicago. Marsters doesn't just read; he inhabits Harry's exhaustion, using deliberate pacing and a somber tonal palette that underscores the protagonist's post-traumatic stress. Marsters' gift for distinct vocal characterizations remains sharp, effortlessly pivoting from the ethereal, detached elegance of the Sidhe to the grounded warmth of Harry's remaining allies. By leaning into the book's quieter, more introspective moments, Marsters elevates this urban fantasy's emotional stakes, transforming a year of Dresden's life into a poignant study of grief. It's an immersive performance that makes the wizard's vulnerability feel hauntingly real. Marsters' soulful performance makes this a compelling entry in the Harry Dresden series.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Katie Leung's Scottish accent immediately immerses listeners in the Scottish Highlands in this sapphic vampire audiobook. Rebecca, a vampire hunter, goes undercover at a vampire university to find the Book of Blood and Roses, a compilation of ways to kill vampires. After being attacked, her gorgeous vampire roommate rescues her but accidentally makes Rebecca her familiar in the process. Finding the book could break the familiar curse, but their new proximity heats things up along the way. Leung easily switches between accents and tones to enliven a large cast of students, and her precise pacing adds delightful tension to romantic scenes. Leung's Scottish accent and precise pacing elevate this vampire romance.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217159215
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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