New Reviews: Fantasy

Mollie Stark and Sebastian Grove narrate the first in a new fantasy romance series. With only three years until she meets her fated death at age 27, Althea knows time is running out to make her dream of becoming a warrior true--especially when women in her world aren't allowed to hold weapons. Then, an encounter with warrior Wilder Hawthorne provides the opportunity she's... Read More

Miranda Raison performs this magical adventure set on an alternative Earth, where a collection of mysterious books gives special powers to those who possess one of its volumes. When a customer dies in the bookstore where she works, Cassie discovers that he's left her an old, leather-bound work called THE BOOK OF DOORS, which can open almost any door across the world. In... Read More

January LaVoy performs this epic story of three teenagers who are brought back from the dead just long enough to compete in a mysterious game to see who gets to continue to live. In this debut novel by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kelly Link, characters Laura, Daniel, and Mo find themselves back in Lovesend, Massachusetts, one year after they died. Their families have no memory of... Read More

Ari Fliakos portrays Paul Bunyan, JD Jackson portrays John Henry, and Tanis Parenteau embodies Bright Eyes in this debut quest novel, which masterfully mixes myth, capitalism, and racism. Impoverished Paul Bunyan mines Lump, a toxic mineral that causes his wife to fall gravely ill. With a mythical creature guiding him, he races to find the one machine that could save her. In... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles brings a sense of wonder to a near future fantasy that explores the consequences of climate change. Firefighter Syrah Carthan has been angling for a return to Sequoia National Park ever since her family's death there in a wildfire when she was young. After a terrible incident during a planned burn, Syrah discovers there are uncanny forces at... Read More

David Tennant is at his best with his narration of this whimsical fantasy for children and adults alike. The audiobook was Pratchett's first published novel in 1971 and was rewritten 30 years later. Whether viewed as a parable of war, apropos of current events, or as a mere humorous tale of little creatures living in your carpet, it's a story that begs to be listened to.... Read More

Kitty Parker narrates a lush and atmospheric romantasy. In each generation, the most talented Everly is taken as payment for a wrong committed centuries earlier--until Violet Everly decides to break the curse. Parker's impeccable delivery perfectly matches the dense and sensuous tone of the story, emphasizing the moody and mysterious world in which Violet finds herself cast... Read More

Voice actor Colleen Delany narrates the conclusion to the Court of Thorns and Roses series, set amid the Night Court of the High Fae. Proud, prickly, short-tempered Nesta Archeron, portrayed by Natalie Van Sistine, spars with her battle-scarred lover, silken voiced Cassian, performed by Jon Vertullo. Sometimes they tangle between the sheets in scenes of explicit sex; sometimes... Read More

Book 1 in the Myrtlewood Crones series gets a near-perfect narration from Bethan Dixon Bate. Bizarre things keep happening to 60-ish Delia Spark. She's attacked by a stranger, her daughter is being secretive, and things around her burst into flame spontaneously--for example, her ex-husband's girlfriend's underwear. To get away, Delia travels to remote Myrtlewood, where she... Read More

An interconnected story set during three separate timelines is narrated by Dylan J. Locke, Will Dao, and Telly Leung. In 4 BCE, courtier Dong Xian is undone by court machinations; in 1740, innkeeper He Shican unintentionally lets a calamity loose; and in modern-day Los Angeles, college student River is sure he has met a brand-new acquaintance before. Locke portrays Dong Xian as... Read More

Narrator Lauren Fortgang channels the currents of magic and intrigue running throughout Bardugo's layered historical fantasy. Scullery maid Luzia Cotado hopes to remain unnoticed, but when she uses a spell to restore burned bread and fix a torn dress, her ability to cast "little miracles" comes to light. Forced to compete in a dangerous magic competition, she is tutored by the... Read More

Emily Woo Zeller invites listeners to the bustling semi-submerged city of Tiankawi. Mira, a border guard captain, has been working toward reform her entire career when Nami, an anti-human activist, is exiled to Tiankawi. Meanwhile, Cordelia, a sea witch, will stop at nothing to increase her family's power. Now she's ready to collect on her deal with a Siren to exchange her song... Read More

The author is joined by an ensemble of four narrators to deliver this collection of 14 short stories. The works are a bit bizarre, but all share the theme of human longing. January LaVoy conveys poignancy in a story about a vampire and a goat woman who find solace in friendship. Gabra Zackman is able to make a woman who transforms into a house to better serve her boyfriend's... Read More

In this dramatized adaptation, Khaya Fraites brings to life the character of Violet Sorrengail, and Gabriel Michael embodies Xaden Riorson. Together, they lead a distinguished cast, which includes LaMont Ridgell, Torian Brackett, and Rob McFadyen, through the harrowing world of the Empyrean series. Their performances, augmented by immersive sound effects and cinematic music,... Read More

Shannon McManus's cocksure, feisty delivery will keep listeners engrossed as Dani, a magically gifted art thief, prepares to steal works from a coveted art collection. McManus uses a gentle Southern accent as Dani heads home to Kentucky to reunite with the crew she betrayed years ago. Devising unique voices, McManus portrays the confident crew of magical criminals as they plan... Read More

Jeanne Syquia's narration of this audiobook skillfully portrays the enthralling story of Talasyn, a young woman who possesses hidden light magic, and Prince Alaric, the Night Empire's heir, who possesses shadow magic. Their intertwined destinies on the battlefield set the stage for a compelling narrative. Syquia's nuanced portrayal of each character's emotions enriches the... Read More

Bahni Turpin narrates this atmospheric audiobook, lending her voice to the four young Cauley women as they fight for their magic and their lives. As sisters Charlie, Lynn, Nicole, and their cousin, Rene, gather to grieve a loss, they are faced with literal demons. To save their family magic, they must work through their rivalries and look to the past. This audiobook features... Read More

Narrators Ferdelle Capistrano and Will Damron breathe life into this fanciful romantic story. Exes Camille and Ward reunite when they bump into each other in London. Then they accept jobs in separate magical antique shops before realizing that they're trapped and that they must use the antiques around them to solve several puzzles and riddles to escape. A limitation: They can... Read More

In this audiobook, we delve into the tale of Balthazar and his band of thieves, embarking on what first appears to be a straightforward heist. Sunil Malhotra's exceptional narration is the highlight; he provides each character with a unique voice that vividly paints the story's universe. The drama quickly escalates as the characters are entangled in a grandiose plot involving... Read More

Tanja Milojevic takes on the role of Trinity, a half-angel who narrates this story, on the eve of an apocalyptic battle between good and evil. In a warm tenor Robb Moreira voices Zayne, a shape-shifting gargoyle and bonded protector of the somewhat snarky, self-assured Trinity. Along with the smooth-talking Roth, a Demon Prince, played by Danny Gavigan, they patrol Washington,... Read More

Bert Seymour and Clare Corbett narrate this delightful historical fantasy, set in the mid-eighteenth century. Abel, a London watchmaker who creates fabulous automata, has disappeared. His son, Zachary, endowed with second sight, is being raised by his eccentric Aunt Franny. Many years later, Zachary sets off to rescue him from a sultan in Constantinople. Seymour, the primary... Read More

Victoria Villarreal performs impressive vocal acrobatics as she narrates this reimagined tale of Zorro. Leonora, the illegitimate mestiza daughter of the Viceroy of Mexico, has a reputation to uphold. But she cannot look away and do nothing as Spanish conquerors subjugate the various Indigenous people of Mexico. Harnessing the power of the sun and the Indigenous gods, she... Read More

Kit Griffiths transports listeners back to Middren for more battles with power-hungry gods and kings in this second installment of the Fallen Gods series. Still reeling from his brush with death, Elogast reckons with his new position as rebellion leader against Arren, the king who is marching through Middren in search of worshippers. At the same time, Inara struggles to find... Read More

Andrew Fallaize shines voicing this Sherlock-style mystery set in a fantasy world. The Khanum Empire faces threats from Leviathans that make it most vulnerable during the wet season. In a mansion belonging to a wealthy family, a high-ranking commander is killed by a tree that grows from his body. Discovering the assassin and motive before the upcoming wet season becomes... Read More

Alison McKenna and Gary Furlong bring all the angst of an enemies-to-lovers story to this retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" inspired by Irish folklore. In this version, the beast is trapped inside the body of a shape-shifting beauty named Rozlyn due to a curse spanning three centuries. When the charismatic Jamie comes to win her heart, Rozlyn suspects more is afoot. And she's... Read More

Darren Eliker provides an excellent narration of this complex and highly creative installment of the Venery series. Eliker's delivery allows listeners to become immersed in the adventures of Pelippé Trueblood and Fen il-Kheir, a fantastical kheiron, a creature that can shift between being a man and a horse. Each character and species has a distinguishable sound. The story... Read More

January LaVoy and Michael Crouch perform this historical novel with a supernatural twist. LaVoy delivers the perspective of Laura, a nurse who has recently returned from a WWI battlefield to her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Crouch narrates the viewpoint of Laura's brother, Freddie, a young soldier who has gone missing in the cold, wet trenches of Belgium. LaVoy conveys all of... Read More