Samara MacLaren narrates a magical romance between a sunshine witch and a grumpy librarian. Having lived her whole life in isolation from other witches, Mika Moon is both exhilarated and anxious to tutor Rosetta, Terracotta, and Altamira, three young witches. MacLaren captures Mika's sunny disposition, as well as her deep-seated need to protect her heart. While she delivers three distinctive personalities for the three girls, MacLaren's performances are utterly believable and age appropriate. Her portrayals of the adults who watch over them--flamboyant Ian, unflappable Ken, comfortable Lucie, and prickly Jamie--are just as memorable. Overall, MacLaren's warm and charming narration makes up for any small flaws in the narrative.
Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593590843
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Aysha Kala crafts a delicate performance surrounding a surprisingly complex story about a carousel. The carousel, originally built in 1900s Paris, is shrouded in a mystery and linked to a history of missing children. Kala narrates as Maisie, an immigrant just arriving in Chicago in 1920, uncovers the dark secret of said carousel alongside Det. Laurent. Kala's elegant narration style blends perfectly with the thrilling writing, clever descriptions of the magical settings, and a cunning mystery, delivering a catchy listen for a wide audience. The dialogue between the protagonists progresses the plot while also allowing for satisfying character development. Kala's narration is a mix of whimsical wonder and gritty determination.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781488237003
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Jensen Olaya and Joel de la Fuente share narration duties in this tale of a family haunted by the shadows of their past. Olaya primarily plays the part of Sophie, an outsider invited to the ancestral home of the Filipino Sepulveda family. Fuente takes over the role of Javiar, an exiled member of the family. While Sophie and Javiar have distinct points of view that might merit two narrators, both also assume the dialogue of the surrounding cast, which often leads to an inconsistent tone throughout the book. Olaya is typically monotone, offering no significant differences in the voice of any character. Fuente is a bit better at distinguishing characters than Olaya, but the mismatch of their narration styles detracts from the substance of the story. Overall, this recording may have been better served by a single narrator with a more diverse set of voices and tones.
Pub Date: Nov. 25, 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798890594716
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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