In the future, when monstrous storms batter the Gulf Coast, teenager Nailer struggles to survive as a ship breaker, risking his life daily crawling through the ducts of grounded ships to salvage copper wiring. When he discovers a wrecked clipper ship with one survivor, the daughter of a wealthy shipping company owner, Nailer becomes involved in even greater dangers when he decides to rescue her. The author does a fantastic job of world building in this National Book Award Finalist. Narrator Joshua Swanson makes this harsh dystopian world all too believable. He adjusts the pacing to fit the intensity of the action and gives each character a voice that fits his or her personality. This is superb listening for teens—and adults too—even those who aren’t big fans of science fiction.
Young AdultPub Date: Nov. 17, 2010
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: Audible Inc./ Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Brittany Pressley holds listeners' attention as she narrates the spiritual, apocalyptic, and strangely pertinent story of Agnes, who breaks free of the oppressive cult she grew up in only to find a world in crisis over a pandemic. Viewpoints alternate between Agnes and her younger sister, Beth. Pressley does an excellent job balancing Agnes's humble and curious yet passionate voice with Beth's more dissatisfied, insecure one. Pressley also is excellent at pacing; although the plot unfolds somewhat slowly, she sustains listeners' attention with the palpable confusion and emotion that all the characters experience in a time of great change. This unique story eerily echoes aspects of our COVID-19 moment, and Pressley's narration adds to its captivating atmosphere.
(Dystopian. 13-18)Pub Date: June 9, 2020
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549101885
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This gripping and thought-provoking audiobook will not only please fans of dystopian stories, especially the author's, but will also add new listeners to both groups. In a post-Covid world, Crown Royale, a new virus that is seen as life ending--whether or not the sick recover--is spreading rapidly. All those who do recover experience enlightenment, losing any negative feelings they held before they were infected. The dramatic change causes some people to see the recovered as zombies. Greg Tremblay and Neal Shusterman's narrations clearly convey the multiple characters, making it easy to follow their varied points of view toward the new enlightenment.
(Dystopian. 13-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797161358
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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