Nancy Wu does a commendable job narrating this story, set in Pierce's magical world of The Winding Circle. Wu fluidly pronounces the difficult words, names, and places, such as "Gyongxe," where the Living Circle religion's home temple is located. Wu's clearly enunciated, distinctly American accent helps the listener grasp the complicated plot and alternate world, which has an Asian ambiance. This story features plant mages Briar and Rosethorn and stone mage Evvy, who are traveling to view Eastern gardens. During their travels, they meet the cruel emperor of Yanjing; rescue his slave, Parahan; and discover a plot for war against Gyongxe. Character voices and accents are a bit inconsistent, sometimes creating confusion as to who is speaking. Even so, Wu keeps the listener's attention with her engaging narration.
Young AdultPub Date: Oct. 1, 2013
Duration: 14 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780545674294
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
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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