by Stephenie Meyer ; read by Ilyana Kadushin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 12, 2006
Readers will thrill to Ilyana Kadushin's elegant narration of NEW MOON, sequel to TWILIGHT. Her performance captures the emotional upheaval of mortal Bella's desperate love for vampire Edward and the obstacles to their perilous reunion. Like Romeo and Juliet, Edward and Bella suffer from their own folly, as well as the disapproval of their families. Kadushin's silvery, feminine voice delivers the unfolding events with precise, consistent timing, showcasing Meyer's story without overwhelming it. While the male characters could be slightly more distinct, the dialogue is clear as are Bella's numerous internal monologues. Kadushin ably succeeds at creating an addictive listen from Meyer's tumultuous story of star-crossed lovers. The combination will not disappoint.
Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2006
Duration: 15 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Linda Davies ; read by Emily Wilden ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
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
by Zoulfa Katouh ; read by Victoria Nassif ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2026
Nassif gives an emotional voice to survivors of bullying.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
Victoria Nassif narrates this story of magic, grief, and racism. Syrian American Jihad Dabbagh enters a private school in her senior year of high school, and she hopes to attend an art school for college. Her name and the hijab she wears make her the target of dangerous bullies. To cope, she draws in a magical sketchbook, telling the story of her deceased mother’s journey from Syria to the U.S. Nassif relates Jihad’s story beautifully, taking her from a shy, introverted teen to a strong Muslim woman willing to call out bullies for their behavior. Her Arabic pronunciations lend authenticity to this story, helping to bring Jihad’s world to life, and she’s equally adept with the pretentious accents of the privileged white students at the academy.
Nassif gives an emotional voice to survivors of bullying. (Fabulism. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657515
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.