Lucy Paterson's dramatic performance of the first in a new fantasy trilogy pulls listeners into a world reminiscent of medieval times. Magic is real, and its knowledge is closely held by a privileged few. Only the emperor's justices are taught the skills. Helena Sedanka, once a young clerk for Justice Sir Konrad Vonvalt, recounts her memories of investigating a noblewoman's death and uncovering a far deeper plot that affected the entire kingdom. Paterson's skills are evident, and she breathes life into the world surrounding Helena, capturing the emotions of the vast cast of characters. Most notable is Paterson's portrayal of Helena, both during her first-person storytelling as an older woman and as her remembered younger self. An exquisite production.
Pub Date: Feb. 22, 2022
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549166372
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Hembrough ratchets up the tension while leading listeners through this exploration of belief.
Oliver Hembrough voices an array of fascinating characters in this fantasy audiobook, the first in a planned trilogy. Sister Svangerd, a nun/assassin, and Brother Desiderius, an expert forger/atheist monk, are sent to the Ecumenical Council to assassinate a princess with troublesome views. What follows? The hunters become the hunted; the undead "walkers" formulate their own assassination plans; many deaths ensue. Hembrough’s performance is true to the characters he portrays, from steel-spined nuns and questioning clerics to rage-filled walkers; his narration is replete with dry humor, sarcasm, and a penchant for scoffs and growls in bringing these characters to life.
Hembrough ratchets up the tension while leading listeners through this exploration of belief.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668642269
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
James Marsters' weary delivery perfectly captures Harry Dresden's fractured psyche as he navigates a year of mandatory mourning and political maneuvering in Chicago. Marsters doesn't just read; he inhabits Harry's exhaustion, using deliberate pacing and a somber tonal palette that underscores the protagonist's post-traumatic stress. Marsters' gift for distinct vocal characterizations remains sharp, effortlessly pivoting from the ethereal, detached elegance of the Sidhe to the grounded warmth of Harry's remaining allies. By leaning into the book's quieter, more introspective moments, Marsters elevates this urban fantasy's emotional stakes, transforming a year of Dresden's life into a poignant study of grief. It's an immersive performance that makes the wizard's vulnerability feel hauntingly real. Marsters' soulful performance makes this a compelling entry in the Harry Dresden series.
Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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