New Reviews: Fantasy

This sweeping time-travel fantasy is both innovative and moving, and Suzanne Freeman gives it a terrific narration. Her voices are distinct and clear, and she deftly delivers realistic female and male voices. Sloane Becker is haunted by events that took place on graduation night. When she discovers she has the ability to travel through time, she keeps being swept back to that... Read More

Evan Sibley narrates a sweeping historical fantasy inspired by the iconic board game Settlers of Catan. Three half-brothers--Thorolf, Yngvi, and Digur--attempt to help a Viking princess escape oppressive rule. But before they can succeed, they're exiled. The brothers and a handful of allies leave on a difficult journey in hopes of finding a new land: Catan, the Land of the Sun.... Read More

Set in ancient Greece, the first installment of The Dark Pantheon Trilogy introduces Danae, the "last daughter" of a prophecy foretelling the end of the Twelve Gods. Lucy Walker-Evans narrates this debut audiobook, which brings new insights about Zeus, Prometheus, and other heroes. Danae is a fisherman's daughter whose life is never the same after she eats a golden apple.... Read More

The talented Andrew Fallaize reprises his narration of THE TAINTED CUP, the first in this series. Fallaize aptly narrates this imaginative and suspenseful story in which older, experienced Ana and young Din investigate the unsettling murder of a treasury officer. Through Din's perfect memory and Ana's brilliance, they discover a plot that runs deep, threatening the empire's... Read More

Tim Gerard Reynolds gorgeously narrates this Elan world novel, the fifth in the Riyria Chronicles. In this prequel, a disgruntled dwarf has been fired and threatens to wreak havoc on the towers of Drumindor, thus destroying the lavish town of Tur Del Fur. Royce and Hadrian, friends who together form Riyria, are hired to find the dwarf and stop him. Reynolds brings depth that... Read More

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith narrates an immersive fantasy set in post-WWII London. When Dennis Knuckleyard suddenly and violently learns there is a second London alongside the one he knows, it causes his entire worldview to reshape itself. Holdbrook-Smith depicts Dennis as naïve and somewhat feckless, mostly harmless, and truly out of his depth. The vast scope of characters Dennis... Read More

Sid Sagar immediately draws listeners into this riveting novel, set in ancient Thebes. Phaidros is a soldier who was raised to fight. Now he's in his 30s, lonely and grieving the loss of his sworn companion even as he trains a new generation. He's immensely likable, and the first-person perspective and colloquial language mean that Sagar is able to bring listeners intimately... Read More

A full cast of narrators, including the author, delivers this enchanting collection of short stories about love, magic, and betrayal. Stephanie Németh-Parker voices a woman who grants wishes at a bridge during the full moon, enhancing the romance with her careful pacing and delivery of banter. David Monteith portrays a man who accidentally kills the woman he intends to marry,... Read More

This audiobook adaptation of the graphic novel features a stellar cast and vibrant soundtrack. Sébastien, portrayed by Ramón de Ocampo with a French accent, is freshly moved into a new apartment and ready to finally learn magic. Elia, depicted suavely by Fajer Al-Kaisi in an Italian accent, is the hot supermodel vampire next door. Alexander Cendese voices Sébastien's adorable... Read More

Khaya Fraites and Emily Lawrence give spirited performances in this introduction to a rich duology based on Finnish fantasy. Aina and Siiri have been separated by the death gods as they work to survive a very harsh winter. Aina is sent to endure Tuonela, the underworld, and Siiri travels to save her. Both women embark on challenging trials, and Fraites and Lawrence depict them... Read More

This third volume in Yarros's fantasy romance series offers an engaging listening experience. It centers on Violet Sorrengail, who after nearly 18 months at Basgiath War College, embarks on a dangerous quest beyond the crumbling Aretian wards to gather allies against both internal and external threats. With her dragons, family, and love interest, Navarre, at risk, the story is... Read More

Veteran narrator Shiromi Arserio takes on a new role as author, and who better to narrate the audiobook than she? Former assassin Samara is hired to infiltrate a magical auction and rescue the girl who is being auctioned off. It's all the sweeter because if Samara succeeds, she will get revenge against the man who sold her as a child. The heist requires careful planning, and... Read More

Narrator Alexandra Hunter rescues a meandering fantasy and steers it into a highly enjoyable listen. She introduces Kaley Arens, who visits the islands of Bellis under the pretext of hearing new fairy tales for her dissertation. Once there, Kaley learns the islands are actually another planet. While there, she travels with companions Tanek and Sojee, watching Earth fairy tales... Read More

Sarah Slimani narrates this debut fantasy, the first installment of The Shattered Lands. Naila is a student at the magic academy who is trying hard to find her magic. Soon, she catches the attention of Haelius, the most powerful wizard, who takes it upon himself to mentor her. Slimani captures Naila's progression from an uncertain "hollow mage" who is relegated to the lowest... Read More

Anna Burnett's soft, precise voice is the ideal vehicle for this gothic novel about a young Victorian woman and her sentient garden. Harriet, who was psychologically abused by her uncaring father in the years after her mother's death, has been breathing easier following his disappearance. But when an inspector starts sniffing around, Harriet decides marriage to the seemingly... Read More

Golden Voice Grover Gardner is a familiar narrator to listeners of the Penric and Desdemona audiobooks. Using a treasure map, Penric and his demon, Desdemona, are hunting for a long-forsaken monastery that may hold valuable theological documents. They meet Roz, a bandit who has eyes only for the treasure map, and, of course, adventure ensues. This novella set in the World of... Read More

Gem Carmella narrates a magical novella inspired by traditional ballads. Sisters Esther and Ysabel use their musical talents to tend the enchanted willow their family has honored for generations. When an unwanted suitor appears, everything they love is suddenly at risk. Carmella's narration perfectly blends the fantastical elements of fairy tales with the macabre elements of... Read More

The classic story of the Hollywood dream meets an ancestral ghost story in this entertaining audiobook, narrated by Elyse Dinh. She provides excellent voices for both Issa Bui and Olivia Nong, best friends who dream of becoming movie stars. Dinh's voice-acting experience is apparent in the dialogue between the friends, as well as that of the many other characters. Her narration... Read More

Narrator Mirai skillfully brings new life to an old classic with this arresting audiobook. Low's story is a reimagining of PETER PAN told from the perspective of Captain Hook. In this case, the woman who would become Hook is Jordan, who was a Lost Boy until puberty struck and she was forced to return to the real world. Since she returned with an addiction to magic dust, adult... Read More

Chris Davenport's fluid narration ties together the voices of this full-cast production set in the Cosmere universe. Sweet, naïve Tress, voiced by Crystal Lee, collects cups brought by sailors from other lands. Now her friend Charlie needs her help. In disguise, plucky Tress sets off across the deadly spore-laden Emerald Sea to the Midnight Sea and its sorceress to rescue him.... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Soneela Nankani takes on this paranormal thriller set in an alternative New York City of the mid-1800s. Nankani takes on the role of Miss Radhika Dhingra, a newly minted lawyer of South Indian heritage with a hard shell and the need to overcome racial prejudice. Dhingra's first client is the undead Mr. Evelyn More, a 400-year-old vampire who has been... Read More

Aoife McMahon and Aidan Kelly manifest a pantheon of Irish gods in this enchanting story of family and loss. After killing dozens with a never-ending frost, Cailleach is forced to live multiple lives to learn the responsibility of godhood. Newly human and fragile, Cailleach forms unshakable bonds with a small dog, several lovers, and her daughter--only to lose them again and... Read More

British narrator Penelope Rawlins gives her American accents some exercise in voicing FBI Agent Kimberley Reynolds in this Rivers of London urban fantasy series. The Oklahoma native recounts her adventure with a slight twang, which Rawlins smoothes out for the Upper Midwest characters Kimberley encounters in her investigation of strange occurrences in northern Wisconsin.... Read More

Susanna Clarke's spellbinding performance of this enhanced audiobook brings out the alluring beauty of this mystical tale. Nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scot is most at home when she's walking in the woods with her dogs and Apple, her pig. Evocative sound effects and music add to Clarke's haunting narration, highlighting Merowdis's deep connection to nature as she engages with the... Read More

Amanda Leigh Cobb delights listeners with the first in the Queens of Villainy series, which is perfect for those who like their romantasy on the lighter side. A case of mistaken identity has Archduke Felix serving as librarian and wizard for the wicked witch, Queen Saskia. The empire thinks Felix is a tyrant bent on conquering all. In reality, he is kept under the thumb of his... Read More