Fearsome creatures, dangerous spirits, and horrifying humans abound in this riveting collection of stories written by 26 Indigenous authors and performed by 9 Indigenous narrators. Sheldon Elter's matter-of-fact portrayal of a frustrated son transforms into very believable terror in Cherie Dimaline's "Tick Talk." Tara Sky's youthful voice enlivens two disturbingly realistic stories of white people manipulating Indigenous girls and women with unsettling sincerity. Shane Ghostkeeper narrates in a steady, gravelly voice, giving a mesmerizing performance of Shane Hawk's tale of possession, "Behind Colin's Eyes." Fear is audible in Erin Tripp's rendition of D.H. Trujillo's surreal "Snakes Are Born In The Dark." Listeners will find stories full of horror and fear--yet community, humor, and joy abound.
Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593789988
Publisher: Random House 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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