Scandinavian mysteries, so popular with adults, now reach young adult listeners with this translated series by Finnish author Salla Simukka. Ann Marie Lee narrates the opening book of this Snow White trilogy. Lee's portrayal of Lumikki (which means Snow White in Finnish) rapidly establishes the 17-year-old's wit, independence, and chameleon-like personality. Reminiscent of Lisbeth Salander (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO), the heroine is newly arrived at a boarding school, where she discovers 30,000 blood-covered euros. The money involves her with schoolmates who fear a drug lord. Occasionally, the story becomes disjointed as Lumikki's sleuthing in the present veers off into stories from her past, fairy-tale references, and varying points of view. But Lee's reading is as active and dramatic as the quick-paced story. She is facile at shifting between viewpoints and accents, dialogue and narrative.
(Thriller. 13 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2017
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781524734329
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Greg Chun and Michelle Lee portray the alliance and the attraction between the two main characters whose alternating chapters tell this 1506 Korean mystery. Lee’s narration is suffused with 17-year-old Isuel’s desire to free her older sister from cruel King Yeonsan. Lee projects Isuel’s willingness to learn sleuthing from Prince Daehyun to achieve her ends. Isuel’s hatred of the king, along with her determination and daring, are clear in Lee’s narration. Chun’s portrayal of Daehyun, the king’s wise half brother, has many levels. Chun shows Daehyun yielding regretfully to the increasing demands of the king while slyly plotting treason. Chun’s portrayals of the king are potent with vitriol and menace, reinforcing the author’s trigger warnings for YA listeners.
(Historical thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: May 14, 2024
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593946114
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's emotional journey in Kao's dark coming-of-age fantasy is unnerving at times due to an exceptional performance by Shawn Jain. Jain's whispery voice is filled with a creepy calm as Matt must determine whether Rae Winter is marked by the devil. Jain emotes tenderness when Matt is with Rae and when he pines for his late mother. While Matt is at school, Jain makes it clear that the teen is carefully controlling his emotions. Jain pivots to anger when Matt is being pressured to "finish off" Rae. Listeners will cringe at Rae's rage when she discovers Matt has spied on her. Fully realized secondary characters such as Matt's landlord and a potential rival help keep this compelling production racing to its dramatic showdown.
(Paranormal. 12-18)Pub Date: June 20, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593681916
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 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.
