When Alison wakes up in a mental hospital, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. What she does remember is that after a violent exchange with Tori, her archrival, Tori disintegrated before her eyes. Narrator Justine Eyre’s youthful voice has a sharp, reedy texture that fits 16-year-old Alison. Alison’s sensory peculiarities—sounds taste like flavors; numbers become colors—and Anderson’s startling plot leap—from a story of young girl’s offbeat reality to an unexpected science fiction tale—are convincing and gratifying, thanks to Eyre’s truthful performance. A persuasive explanation of the glitch in Alison’s neural net, what became of Tori, and what lies ahead for Ali, combined with Eyre’s credible narration, make this a thrilling listen for older teens.
(Science fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: Dec. 13, 2011
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307968623
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration.
Joe Jameson’s versatile performance of this audiobook drives the listening experience. This fantasy follows four teenagers chosen to wield elemental powers to stop an encroaching eternal night. Jameson narrates with distinct vocal characterizations, shifting smoothly between youthful humor and heavier emotional beats. His pacing keeps listeners grounded through complex worldbuilding while sustaining momentum during action scenes. Particularly notable is his restrained, empathetic handling of one character’s psychosis. Jameson’s narration emphasizes emotional authenticity, allowing listeners to connect with characters’ struggles as much as with the adventure itself.
A sweeping fantasy elevated by a balanced narration. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668162460
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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