The author pleases fans by returning to the His Fair Assassin series for a story narrated by Angela Goethals and Suzy Jackson. The first of a new duology is set at the end of the French-Breton War in the fifteenth century. Familiarity with the series will certainly aid listeners' understanding. In alternating chapters, Goethals narrates the story of Sybella, who is dedicated to protecting her young sisters and the new queen. Jackson expresses the viewpoint of Genevieve, who releases a dangerous prisoner from an oubliette and finds herself in the middle of political and personal power struggles. The narrators' voices, while not strongly distinctive, both convey the heroines' wonderful mix of courage and strength, doubts and fears amid opposing dark forces. Romance, drama, intrigue, and the weaving of historical details make this a gripping listen.
(Historical thriller. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 17 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501942242
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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