The evil Count Karlstein is willing to sacrifice his two spirited nieces to the Demon Huntsman on All Souls' Eve in order to save his own life. Philip Pullman must have a mind crammed full of gothic and quirky wonders. Jo Thurley, as the young maidservant in the castle who risks her life for her charges, headlines this superb full-cast production with a performance that contains just the right amount of sternness and apprehension in her teenaged voice. Music is used effectively to enhance the suspense, and all the actors give pitch-perfect efforts. Particularly delightful are those who play Lucy and Charlotte, who exude manners and pluck, and Augusta Davenport, former governess, a hilarious no-nonsense feminist who is as at home skinning and cooking animals as she is improving Lucy's poor handwriting.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henry's parents are kidnapped while they travel the world. Henry is confused and lost when he's sent to his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Kansas. His bewilderment increases when the plaster of his bedroom walls cracks to disclose 100 strange cupboards that are portals to odd places. Vivid descriptions of fascinating lands hold listeners' attention through the story's many unexplained facts as does the steady, solid narration by Russell Horton. Horton accurately modulates the characters' up-and-down emotions, adapting his pace quickly to the changes. Listeners are able to keep up with the rapidly introduced characters because of Horton's stand-out portrayals.
Ages 8+Pub Date: Dec. 26, 2007
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780739362778
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A cast of narrators shares these stories, each told from the point of view of a supporting character from Riordan's Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. We hear from Halfborn Gunderson, Samirah al-Abbas, Alex Fierro, and more. In "So's Your Face!" narrator Sile Bermingham gives fiery einherji Mallory Keen an Irish lilt, and in "I Play with Fire," Bahni Turpin gets to pull out the stops creating voices for a meeting of immortals in Muspellheim. Riordan's signature humor is here--Thor makes a guest appearance in each story, running through the nine worlds in his leather short shorts. The characterizations might not quite match what listeners heard in earlier installments, but diehard Magnus Chase fans can still enjoy this collection.
(Fantasy. 8-14)Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780525641834
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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