The conclusion to the Courting Darkness duology is the fifth fantasy set in a medieval world in which young women train as assassins to serve the god of death. This audiobook centers on Genevieve and Sybella. As the queen of Brittany joins the French court, tensions and intrigue run high and are keenly felt by the two heroines. Suzy Jackson, as Genevieve, maintains a soft affect that suits her role as a calming influence for the overwrought king. Her will and constancy become apparent to both listeners and Sybella. Amanda Cobb narrates Sybella's chapters, showing her fierce protectiveness of the queen and her reluctance to trust Genevieve. When the heroines discover the true villains, their relationship builds and deepens. Suspense and romance are also heightened by periodic chapters read by Brian Munn and Eva Kaminsky.
(Historical fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 17 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501942228
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
Winslow’s deep voice and emotional resonance suit an overwhelmed teenager with too much on her plate.
Andia Winslow narrates this witchy YA fantasy. The witches in 17-year-old Mikaela’s coven are having their magic stolen, and as the next Witch Queen, she’s expected to solve this mystery. She also helps out at her family’s occult shop, and when a beautiful new girl in town visits Mikaela for a tarot reading, she is struck by a vision of her own murder at the stranger’s hand. Winslow easily differentiates characters of different genders and ages and seamlessly shifts between African American Vernacular English and Standard American English. She elegantly adjusts her pacing for action scenes and political debates.
Winslow’s deep voice and emotional resonance suit an overwhelmed teenager with too much on her plate. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217342082
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
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