JD Jackson takes listeners straight onto the streets of Baltimore, where 17-year-old Elijah and his two best friends are prepping for an adult basketball tournament that will have a fatal impact, especially after they capture the attention of the Blood Nation gang. The gang wants the boys to flaunt their colors in glitzy uniforms. Elijah refuses. Jackson's narration stays very even, with no drama even during intense sports and gang conflicts. But his characterizations of the young men, their adversaries, their worried and grief-stricken mothers, and, especially, a gruff ex-military mentor named Banks are terrific. He gives the story depth and keeps moving to a pat conclusion that clashes a bit with the gritty realism of the rest of the story.
(Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101917343
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills.
Two women are caught up in a thrilling magical duel in this YA audiobook. Tamsin, voiced by Jo Yuan, is pressured by her famous magician father to follow in his career. Yuan narrates with assertive bluster, emphasizing Tamsin’s desire to escape from beneath her father’s thumb no matter what it takes. Sam, voiced by Mirai, wants revenge on Tamsin’s father, even if it means sending her infamous champion into the dueling ring to destroy his only daughter. Mirai narrates with meticulous care, perfectly conveying Sam’s scheming nature. But Tamsin doesn’t know Sam’s true goals, and as the two connect, they can’t help finding comfort in each other.
This duo delivers a fascinating web of deceit and magical thrills. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217279890
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
Three narrators find the essential humanity of a group of antiheroes in an action-packed dark academia stunner.
Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E.A. Castillo, and Nicky Endres voice characters who change identities in this body-switching fantasy/sci-fi mashup. When Annabelle Gage uses her illusion magic to steal the wrong object, she’s forced to be the top student’s personal assistant at the infamous Paragon Academy. There, she’s recruited to join a vengeful student, Wes, in capturing the Black Wraith, leader of a violent rebel group. Ana finds both family and secrets, learning quickly that those she once admired might be on the wrong side of history. Castillo captures the nuance of an emotive Ana, who’s trapped in a rotting male body, bringing complexity to her personality and identity. Fitzpatrick nails the seething anger of Wes, while Endres offers a genderfluid perspective on various side characters.
Three narrators find the essential humanity of a group of antiheroes in an action-packed dark academia stunner. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 16 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250432407
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
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
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
