Joel de la Fuente skillfully narrates this sweeping historical fantasy audiobook. Keema, a disabled outcast, and Jun, grandson of the emperor, are sent on a mission to rescue the Moon goddess from her three terrible sons to end their tyrannical reign. De la Fuente immerses listeners in this atmospheric story in which each character, from the powerful goddess to a seemingly insignificant peasant, is given a distinct voice that keeps listeners grounded--especially when the story switches among first-, second-, and third-person points of view. De la Fuente's perfectly adjusted pacing makes this performance seem like watching a theater performance as he captures a wide range of characters who are full of malice, paralyzing fear, and desire.
Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
Duration: 17 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593414699
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.
The gods might be sleeping in this vibrant fantasy novel, but Joe Eyre keeps listeners wide awake with an electric performance. As a mortedant, Irody Hasp reads dead people’s thoughts. When a simple job turns deadly, however, Hasp gets accused of murder and must work quickly to avoid the gallows. As he hunts down the real killer alongside his spunky new apprentice and a giant warrior guard, he soon unveils a larger and more sinister plot. The poor of the lower levels of the tiered city are threatened, and Hasp and his newfound friends must thwart the bad guys before the gods awaken. Hasp’s world is equally odd and engaging, and Eyre explores every inch, providing various voices to round out an eclectic group of characters.
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 16 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250455390
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
There are monsters, magic, treachery, bravery, and stalwart friendship—in all, another rousing adventure.
Listeners captivated by The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (2023) will return with delight to Chakraborty’s fantasy version of the Indian Ocean of yore. Lameece Issaq again voices not-so-retired pirate Amina, a complicated woman whose unshakeable Muslim faith and ferocious maternal devotion help her face down foes both human and supernatural. Issaq captures every nuance, as well as nimbly bringing to life Amina’s crew of lovable rogues and the people they encounter. Amin El Gamal reprises his role as historian Jamal, who fills in a few gaps in Amina’s first-person account. Sneha Mathan joins the ensemble, lending her silky tones to an intermittent second-person account that slowly reveals the backstory of Amina’s millennia-old adversary in this outing.
There are monsters, magic, treachery, bravery, and stalwart friendship—in all, another rousing adventure.Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: N/A
DD ISBN: 9780062963574
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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