An ensemble of narrators presents the first in a series set in a dystopian world in which Ashlords rule. Three teens compete, riding magical steeds that rise from ashes at dawn and die in flames in the Ashlords' annual race. All of them are at an unfair advantage and have stakes more important than the prize money. Andrew Aiden mixes a drawl and a tone of determination to portray Adrian, the cowboy-like son of a revolutionary. Rebecca Soler expresses Imelda's tinges of desperation as a poor entrant as well as her strong desire to crush the oppressive system. Lauren Fortgang dramatizes Pippa's pride, which is encouraged by her parents, former Ashlord champions. Each narrator expresses the rising tension as the competitors fight for triumph and for their lives. Neil Hellengers enters at the end, giving an overall perspective and a view of what's to come.
(Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Jan. 21, 2020
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593155295
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
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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