Rafael Abalos's convoluted tale, set in 1313 France, features the young tramp Grimpow, who is transformed by the discovery of a frozen corpse and a magic stone. The stone launches him on a journey to uncover secrets left behind by the persecuted Knights Templar. Richard McGonagle portrays Grimpow as a chipper, naïve young man who is bewildered by his quest?. His bewilderment is shared by the listener as clues are slowly parsed out using riddles and maps--not easily shared in the audio format. McGonagle's steady narrative flow does not alter whether characters are in the midst of battle on the jousting field, beset by French thugs (with unaccountably Irish accents), or uncovering yet more clues to the invisible road.
Young AdultPub Date: Oct. 9, 2007
Duration: 13 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780739359648
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Myths come to life through Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles's stellar narration of this young adult fantasy. Marisol and her mother left their home in the Caribbean to live in Brooklyn. Marisol hopes to leave their island traditions and her family's magic behind. Genevieve grew up listening to her white father's mythical stories from her unknown mother's homeland. When the teens' lives collide, both discover secrets that change their views of their worlds. It's no surprise that both Turpin and Miles are Golden Voice narrators. Their skills bring Genevieve's and Marisol's stories to life as they capture the teens' personalities. Miles exquisitely delivers Marisol's Caribbean accent, while Turpin channels Genevieve's frustrations with her family and her own health. Simply magical.
(Verse fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 11, 2025
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063395589
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This dark science-fiction story about three teens who participate in a doomed space mission is commendably narrated by Casey Holloway. Varied accents for the three teens—who are from France, Japan, and Norway—and strong pacing showcase Holloway’s talent as a narrator. As panic sets in among the astronauts and the teens find their adult companions to be unreliable, Holloway easily delivers the rising tension, and her quiet intensity draws listeners toward the story’s chilling conclusion. Harstad’s story will leave listeners contemplating the fate of humanity in the vast reaches of space.
(Science fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: April 17, 2012
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781611134094
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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