Arserio’s tantalizing narration reminds us how short novellas can leave a lasting impact on listeners.
This fantasy novella offers a gripping gut punch, thanks to Shiromi Arserio’s standout performance. People have gone into the forbidden forest on the northern tip of the kingdom, but only Veris Thorn has made it out alive. When the tyrant’s two children disappear into the woods, the ruler forces Veris to rescue them. Err, and her entire village dies. Inside, Veris does find the children but not before escaping fantastical monsters and deadly traps. Exiting poses its own unique challenge, and tragically, not everyone makes it out. Arserio’s narration is at times explosive and at others uncanny, fully capturing the horrors of the forest. At the heart is Arserio’s Veris, just a tired woman in a world of tragedy. It’s emotive, captivating, and near perfection.
Arserio’s tantalizing narration reminds us how short novellas can leave a lasting impact on listeners.Pub Date: Nov. 25, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798331962265
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
You’ll never think about fungus the same way again.
Andrew Fallaize’s committed performance makes this twisty, creepy fantasy-mystery hard to turn off. Imperial investigators Din and Ana have traveled to the agricultural center of the Khanum Empire to dig into a disturbing death. It lands them in the middle of a feud between two powerful families, and Fallaize puts listeners squarely in Din’s point of view as he uses his biological enhancements to perfectly commit every suspect and clue to memory while managing the eccentric Ana. Fallaize breaks out a wide variety of British accents to believably portray each character, and he expertly enhances every moment of suspense, danger, and horror in this satisfying third installment in the series.
You’ll never think about fungus the same way again.Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217279296
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
As the group fights to save their world, listeners will be caught up in York’s performance.
In the land of Altarra, the people are suffering because the goddess Artemisen is imprisoned. Only a nobody called Soli can touch the jewel that will help free her, so Soli is tasked with saving the goddess. Accompanying her on this quest is Prince Kaelen; Elianna, a sorceress; warriors Chitai and Andras; Trick, a thief; and two guardsmen. Narrator Maeve York deftly handles the many characters, providing each of them with a voice that corresponds to their personalities. Kaelen has a steely determination, while Chitai sounds fierce. Soli suffers from "Gray Mind," or depression, and as the journey progresses, York aptly expresses her transition from timid to bold.
As the group fights to save their world, listeners will be caught up in York’s performance.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 52 mins
DD ISBN: 9798331968564
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Aug. 8, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
