This twist on the story of Moby-Dick is told from the viewpoint of a whale called Bathsheba. Narrator Cassandra Campbell voices Bathsheba with world-weariness as she recounts her long-past days as part of a whale pod searching for the fabled Toby Wick, a sailor who takes pleasure in massacring whales and humans alike. Like its inspiration, Ness's story tackles complex themes such as subjective morality and reality versus perception. Campbell's voice hovers in a low range befitting a whale. At times, it dips into vocal fry to express the emotional pain Bathsheba experiences throughout the story. Campbell does not differentiate voices for other characters, but this makes sense within the narrative: Bathsheba herself is telling this story as it happened many moons ago.
(Fantasy. 13-15)Pub Date: Sept. 4, 2018
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062882684
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrator Michael Sheen's return to the Book of Dust series gives it the spectacular ending it deserves. His versatile skills bring to life daemons, griffins, witches, and humans alike. Twenty-year-old Lyra is searching for her daemon, Pan, who is the physical manifestation of her soul. In chapters that shift viewpoint, Sheen's emotional range and mastery of accents keep listeners anchored to the story--even during rapid dialogue. Sheen excels at pacing, transitioning smoothly from quiet philosophical scenes to tender moments and to gripping action. This satisfying audiobook concludes with an hour-long interview between Sheen and Pullman, which reveals their devotion to the series, admiration for each other's work, and careful attention to characters.
(Fantasy. 13-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2025
Duration: 22 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217172504
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Sarah Agha's narration is a marvelous match for this parable, which takes place in an alternate 21st-century London ruled by tyrants. Agha deftly expresses the questioning nature of a young ghetto dweller named Adam Alhambra, who is used to being mocked for his Muslim faith. When he escapes a robber through a hidden doorway, Adam meets a Tyger, who sends him on a mission to discover guardians who can save his world from hate and oppression. Agha excels in her depiction of Adam's helpmate, the more confident Zadie. Agha's gentle reading works well for the layered quality of this production, which combines a fast-moving plot, hateful villains, and admirable heroes with philosophical considerations of creative imagining and finding true power.
(Fantasy. 12-14)Pub Date: July 1, 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217072712
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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