Fiona Hardingham’s energetic narration is the perfect partner for Durham’s outstanding fantasy debut. Recent strange happenings in the village of Drowning, coupled with Rye O’Chanter’s encounter with the supposedly extinct Bognoblin, have the villagers anxious for the return of the Luck Uglies. This secret society of men was exiled by Earl Longchance, who considers them wanted criminals and monsters. As Rye and her friends, Folly and Quinn, begin to unravel the labyrinth of secrets, legends, and lies that surround the village, they receive help from a mysterious family friend named Harmless, whose Irish brogue sparkles with mischief. Hardingham’s portrayals of the pompous Constable Boyle; the no-nonsense Mrs. O’Chanter; and the pouting Lottie O’Chanter help to raise this performance far above the norm.
(Fantasy. 9-13)Pub Date: April 29, 2014
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062324986
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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