Matthew Spencer brings a royal air to his performance of this queer fantasy in which court politics meet the undead. As a Reaper, Remy Pendergast slays vampires to protect the citizens of Aluria. But as a suspected half-vampire, he is an outcast who must sometimes contend with the very people he defends. When Remy discovers a plot to transform citizens into bloodthirsty fiends through a virus called the Rot, he teams up with two regal vampires, Xiaodan Song and Zidan Malekh. The three battle for a cure, uncover family secrets, and forge a passionate—if unexpected—bond. Spencer is stunning in his ability to voice characters who are on the edge of both killing and loving each other. Combining depth with well-placed levity, he transports listeners to a kingdom on the verge of chaos.
Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
Duration: 18 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797149868
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.
The gods might be sleeping in this vibrant fantasy novel, but Joe Eyre keeps listeners wide awake with an electric performance. As a mortedant, Irody Hasp reads dead people’s thoughts. When a simple job turns deadly, however, Hasp gets accused of murder and must work quickly to avoid the gallows. As he hunts down the real killer alongside his spunky new apprentice and a giant warrior guard, he soon unveils a larger and more sinister plot. The poor of the lower levels of the tiered city are threatened, and Hasp and his newfound friends must thwart the bad guys before the gods awaken. Hasp’s world is equally odd and engaging, and Eyre explores every inch, providing various voices to round out an eclectic group of characters.
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 16 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250455390
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
There are monsters, magic, treachery, bravery, and stalwart friendship—in all, another rousing adventure.
Listeners captivated by The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (2023) will return with delight to Chakraborty’s fantasy version of the Indian Ocean of yore. Lameece Issaq again voices not-so-retired pirate Amina, a complicated woman whose unshakeable Muslim faith and ferocious maternal devotion help her face down foes both human and supernatural. Issaq captures every nuance, as well as nimbly bringing to life Amina’s crew of lovable rogues and the people they encounter. Amin El Gamal reprises his role as historian Jamal, who fills in a few gaps in Amina’s first-person account. Sneha Mathan joins the ensemble, lending her silky tones to an intermittent second-person account that slowly reveals the backstory of Amina’s millennia-old adversary in this outing.
There are monsters, magic, treachery, bravery, and stalwart friendship—in all, another rousing adventure.Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: 20 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062963574
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 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.
