Narrators Grant Cartwright and Hannah Norris establish very different voices for the two distinct stories that unfold in the first book of the Millennium's Rule trilogy. Cartwright has a slight Australian accent, and his youthful, slightly breathless delivery suits the action-packed story of Tyen, a young archaeology student in a world where magic is running out. Running parallel to Tyen's story is that of Rielle, a teenager in a land where using magic is to "steal from the Angels" and anyone who does so must be banished. Norris creates a much quieter atmosphere for these chapters while still making it clear that Rielle's plight is every bit as desperate as Tyen's. Again, the narrative voice sounds Australian, but Norris gives a Middle Eastern lilt to Rielle and those around her. Both story and narration will keep the listener engaged and keen for the next installment.
Pub Date: May 13, 2014
Duration: 17 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Bolinda Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.
Listeners will be immediately drawn into the vivid, sweeping world of the Azalea Dynasty. Narrators Katharine Chin and Eric Yang create an immersive fantasy setting for this powerful story about legacy, hierarchy, power, and politics. Primary protagonist Wei Yin is desperate as she watches her family and her village succumb to starvation, and she is willing to do anything to survive. As allegiances are formed and war is imminent, Wei Yin's talent for poetry gives her a voice, and she learns the dangers and advantages of taking her power.
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435576
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
James Marsters' weary delivery perfectly captures Harry Dresden's fractured psyche as he navigates a year of mandatory mourning and political maneuvering in Chicago. Marsters doesn't just read; he inhabits Harry's exhaustion, using deliberate pacing and a somber tonal palette that underscores the protagonist's post-traumatic stress. Marsters' gift for distinct vocal characterizations remains sharp, effortlessly pivoting from the ethereal, detached elegance of the Sidhe to the grounded warmth of Harry's remaining allies. By leaning into the book's quieter, more introspective moments, Marsters elevates this urban fantasy's emotional stakes, transforming a year of Dresden's life into a poignant study of grief. It's an immersive performance that makes the wizard's vulnerability feel hauntingly real. Marsters' soulful performance makes this a compelling entry in the Harry Dresden series.
Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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