Narrator Quyen Ngo transports listeners to Vietnam with this historical fiction debut chronicling a family’s struggles during the war. The audiobook begins with an all too familiar scene: Vietnamese people running for cover as the American military bombs Hanoi. Then, in two coinciding timelines, Huong and her grandmother, Dieu Lan, recount the survival stories of some members of their clan. Ngo’s able pacing immerses listeners in the realities of large-scale war, detailing the devastation and displacement it entails. However, her vocal characterizations are uncertain and the similar-sounding voices of grandmother and granddaughter can be perplexing. Nonetheless, Ngo’s performance in this intimate look at the Vietnam War is compelling. A.C. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: March 17, 2020
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781690588092
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Escape on a thrilling adventure with Soneela Nankani and Andrew Eiden as they narrate this suspenseful romance. A year has passed since Simi Chopra, her assorted crew, and Jack Danger pulled off a lucrative diamond heist. Now, the Chicago Mafia boss is demanding that the jewels be returned, so Simi gets the team back together. Nankani delivers an expressive performance that emphasizes Simi's conflict between her passion for Jack and the mission. Her distinct character voices keep the listener fully immersed. Eiden's lively tone gives Jack a subtle flair and confidence that make him easy to forgive and to love.
Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593907467
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This is not a story about guns, but about blue pearls. Gerald Browne takes us to the Pacific Ocean and the world of pearl divers and natural gems and mixes in mystery, intrigue and suspense. Barry Bostwick portrays the characters in one voice, varying his intonation slightly for the Asian personalities. His reading style is very smooth, evidence of preparation and interest in the story. 18mm Blues is abridged well, collecting the important elements of the story. Unobtrusive music indicates the end of each side. Disappear into the mystery of the Far East and one of its most beautiful commodities.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1993
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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