The sonorous tones of Steve West perfectly suit the bleak gravity of this first volume of an epic fantasy trilogy. Thomas Cale discovers a grotesque secret that sends him and his companions, Kleist and Vague Henri, fleeing the Sanctuary of the Redeemers, where the priests brutally trained them from boyhood to become ruthless killers. But their martial and tactical skills may be insufficient to the pressures exerted by the complex politics of the city of Memphis and the sinister schemes of their former masters. West, like many British narrators, excels at exquisitely shifting his accent to indicate the social class of the speaker. He also clearly enjoys saying the charmingly bizarre names of some of the characters, such as Idris Pukke and Kitty the Hare.
Pub Date: June 15, 2010
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781101223123
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.
Kirt Graves tenderly narrates this audiobook about the end of the world. Don and Rodney, married for the last 40 years, have one month left to live as a black hole approaches Earth. They hit the road on a desperate trip across the country to fulfill one last promise. Graves easily distinguishes a variety of characters as they grapple with their impending deaths. He shows remarkable emotional versatility in his depictions of hope, desperation, apathy, and acceptance. Graves gives Rodney a low, gruff, and tough voice, while sentimental Don sounds gentler. Graves’ performance is leisurely paced, letting listeners linger in the stories of the people Don and Rodney meet along their journey.
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435606
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
Guite’s performance makes his poetry accessible.
Author Guite recites his epic ballad, the first of four installments in his retelling of the Arthurian legends. Starting in the 12th century, the Celtic tales of Arthur were recast with explicitly Christian interpretations. Continuing this tradition, Guite’s Galahad is portrayed as the most perfect knight, the embodiment of virginal purity facing potential downfall from the temptation posed by beautiful women. Only with God’s help will he succeed in his quest. Guite narrates at a leisurely pace, his gravelly voice rising and falling with the passion and intensity of the story. An informative author’s note details Guite’s reasons for undertaking this project.
Guite’s performance makes his poetry accessible.Pub Date: April 20, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 54 mins
DD ISBN: 9798895641408
Publisher: Oasis Audio
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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