New Reviews: Fantasy

Tracie Frank pulls listeners into this dark academic romantasy, in which those with an enhanced power of persuasion reign supreme. Just when Lennon Carter feels like her life is over, she gets a mysterious acceptance to Drayton College, a school for an elite group of persuasionists. There, she meets Dante, her intriguing advisor, and fellow students who can change memories and... Read More

Amber Benson performs a fun paranormal adventure in which a librarian attempts to escape from a book-loving vampire. Anushka, better known as Noosh, has trouble filtering her thoughts, especially around a mysterious but charming stranger. The stranger, who turns out to be Vlad Dracula--Sandu in the present day--sweeps Noosh off her feet in a whirlwind romance. But she soon... Read More

Narrator Moira Quirk shines once again in this dark academic fantasy, which explores the ripple effects of colonization. As the first-ever female highmage, Sciona has dedicated her life to overcoming misogyny, pursuing her magical research relentlessly within the male-dominated High Magistry. But as she learns about the ugly machinations that underpin her people’s magic, she’s... Read More

An amazing group of narrators enlivens this collection of 13 stories. They range in subject matter from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times and beyond and share a common theme: finding and seizing destiny. Genres vary from fantasy to fairy tale, mystery, and science fiction, and they include dragon riders and pirates. There are plenty of surprises, but one thing is... Read More

This challenging audiobook manages to be two genres at once, both a historical novel and a fantasy. Brooks's narrative delightfully captures the misadventures of the crew and passengers of the Trans-Siberian Express as it crosses the eerie Russian "wastelands" around the turn of the twentieth century. Only one thing detracts from this enjoyable ride: The narrators' choice of... Read More

The narrators deliver a genuinely captivating performance that enhances this thrilling tale. An invading king threatens Feyre's land. Melody Muze narrates with a perfect balance of vulnerability and fierce determination that makes her emotional journey all the more compelling. Anthony Palmini's portrayal of Rhysand brings strength and complexity, while the ensemble cast... Read More

Emily Woo Zeller narrates this audiobook, which imagines the life of the Evil Queen before Snow White's story begins. After her sister's death, Ayleth becomes heir to one of the powerful witches known as the Five Ancients. And even though she has no power of her own, she disguises herself and infiltrates the White City to bring her dead sister back. As Ayleth moves through... Read More

Saskia Maarleveld brings the haunting realm of this dark sapphic academic novel to life with an evocative performance. She captures the fierce intellect of Lorelai, a magical folklorist who is determined to get to the bottom of her mentor's mysterious death. As she investigates, romantic tension develops between her and her enemy turned reluctant ally, Sylvia von Wolff. The... Read More

Avast, me hearties, what could be more fun for a seasoned narrator than to talk like a pirate for 12 hours? In this happy mash-up of Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Doctor Who, Colby Elliott gives distinctive voices to a number of landlubbers and the crew of the mighty, magical pirate ship THE ARK DE TRIOMPHE. After a close encounter with a Martian space fleet that... Read More

Imani Jade Powers performs a cozy fantasy about a grieving witch who finds solace at a magical home under the watchful eye of a mythical beast named Frank. Saika lost her magical powers in the same series of events that took her beloved sister. She journeys to put her sister to rest and arrives at the famous Ash Gardens, where she's quickly taken in by Frank and then discovers... Read More

Josie Charles narrates a not-quite-fairytale told from the perspective of an "evil" stepsister. After her stepsister Beatrice marries the prince and has her happily-ever-after, Lady Theodosia Balfour--Theo to her friends--is determined to secure a similar fate for herself. Sadly, it's a lot harder than it seems. Charles does not soften Theo's unlikable personality but does... Read More

In this locked-room fantasy, Moira Quirk's vocal confidence and captivating talent are on full display. Just two months after giving birth, the famous Hound Guildmember Kembral Thorne attends a New Year's Eve party. But what's supposed to be a gathering of various public officials and guilds quickly becomes a bloodbath. Violent creatures come out of nowhere to kill guests and... Read More

Tamika Katon-Donegal narrates this fantasy, the first in a series. From the moment Kai wakes up in the woods with amnesia and discovers her belongings have been looted, life becomes a struggle. With the help of a gorgeous man who, suspiciously, seems too skilled at swordplay to be stuck in such a remote town, Kai hopes to regain her memories. Narrating quickly, Katon-Donegal... Read More

A fantastic ensemble cast narrates Lucy Westenra's story where her original story in DRACULA leaves off. Billie Fulford-Brown voices Lucy in two separate timelines: through her journals in 1890 and her therapy transcripts in 2024. Her transformation from a naïve girl to a capable vampire is perfectly realized through Fulford-Brown's powerfully emotional performance. In the... Read More

Vico Ortiz narrates this fantasy audiobook with an intensity that fully embodies Marney Honeycutt's vow of vengeance. Yann Chauncy, the sole person responsible for the extraction of ichorite, a new valuable metal, responds to his striking manufacturing workers by massacring them all. Only Marney survives, and a decade later, she disguises herself as an aristocrat, infiltrates... Read More

Gabby Beans performs this suspenseful novel about a Black nonbinary protagonist who is haunted by the events that occurred at their childhood home. After years of living in the UK, Ezri finds themself on a plane back to the U.S. to visit their parents in their suburban home outside Dallas, Texas. There, Ezri finds their parents dead and begins trying to reconstruct their last... Read More

A full cast of creatures—including a shape-shifting coyote, werewolves, vampires, fae, the local witch, and humans—are depicted by a talented cast of voice actors. Most impressive is Khaya Fraites, who takes on the role of first-person narrator Mercy Thompson, a plucky 20-something mechanic and shape-shifter. Mercy and macho neighbor Adam Hauptman, an alpha werewolf voiced by... Read More

Joanne Harris narrates this fairy tale set in London. Tom is a young photographer who has a special talent for capturing surprising effects in his photos. When he becomes enamored with Vanessa, he is drawn into the magical world of the midnight folk and the daylight folk, where memories are currency. Harris does an outstanding job of making this world come alive. She imparts... Read More

Joel Richards narrates the fourth Saint of Steel romance-tinged fantasy. When Marguerite Florian runs afoul of a previous employer, she hires a paladin named Shane to protect her. Unfortunately, Shane and Marguerite must battle their attraction for each other, as well as enemies who are out to kill them. Richards's wry and at times dry tone adroitly highlights the humorous... Read More

Narrator Stephanie Bentley initially presents Aila as shy and geeky; later, she captures Aila's professional and romantic growth. At a zoo full of magical creatures, Aila anxiously tends endangered Silimalo phoenixes and seeks a new bird for mating. Her charming crush, Connor, offers to help with the preparations. Still feeling overwhelmed, Aila enlists the aid of her outgoing... Read More

Nicola Coughlan narrates this short audiobook set before the events of HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL COVEN. In 1536, Lady Grace Fairfax is distraught after the death of her lover and coven leader, Anne Boleyn. She's convinced another witch betrayed the coven, but King Henry VIII engages his witchfinders, complicating Grace's quest for revenge. In flashbacks the story explores Grace's... Read More

Rosa Escoda's performance captures the essence of this magical and emotional story. Serin is a lonely young woman who enters a magical market where she must choose her perfect life within a week--or risk vanishing forever. Escoda's voice draws listeners into this enchanting world, skillfully rendering each character in their own distinct tone, making their interactions feel... Read More

Danice Cabanela and Dante Basco narrate the first in the Filipino inspired Stormbringer Saga. Lunurin, voiced by Cabanela, has the power to call forth storms capable of enormous destruction. Cabanela authentically depicts Lunurin's complicated emotions as she hides her powers from those colonizing her people and ignores her goddess's calls. Alon, voiced by Basco, has been in... Read More

Ciaran Saward gives an appealing narration of this fantasy, told from rakish Leovander Loveage's point of view. Leo, a scriver from a privileged gentry family, and Sebastian Grimm, a studious caster whose parents are farmers, are rivals in their fifth year at the Fount, a school of magic. Saward keeps all of the characters distinct, and he gives Grimm a Northern England accent... Read More

Listeners who can suspend their disbelief will appreciate this historical fantasy, which takes place in plague-ridden Florence in 1348. The author, a gemologist, fashions her story around a kind witch named Ginevra who uses the healing power of gemstones to cure plague victims. Golden Voice narrator Soneela Nankani tells this tale of sorcery, superstition, and sophistry with... Read More

There's a teasing, mischievous lilt to Omari Douglas's performance that perfectly suits this delightful romance set in a fantasy world. Dutiful son Mattinesh Jay is entering into an arranged marriage to save his family's failing textile business. An encounter with con-man and duelist Luca Pierre leads Matti to hire him as his ceremonial best man at the wedding; Luca also... Read More

Phyllis Ho narrates this gentle fantasy audiobook. Tao, an immigrant woman who stands out wherever she goes, travels the country as a fortune teller. When she meets an ex-mercenary who is searching desperately for his kidnapped daughter and the reformed (mostly) thief who joins him, they team up for the search. They are later joined by a talented baker whose delectable pastries... Read More

Narrator Cindy Piller is an ideal match for voicing Sherry Pinkwhistle, a Miss Marple-esque amateur sleuth who always solves the case--much to the chagrin of the local sheriff. This cozy mystery has everything listeners expect: a charming small-town setting, a cast of quirky characters, an endearing pet, and, of course, a murder or two . . . or sixteen. About three hours in,... Read More

The endearing husband-and-wife team of Kate Reading and Michael Kramer continue their stunning narration of the Stormlight Archive series. Reading and Kramer switch off narrating--with both bringing special touches to their performances. Their narration is equal parts emotive and emphatic, gliding through accents and inflections with aplomb. The story is nuanced with... Read More

This captivating audiobook proves to be an unlikely but winning blend of humor and terror. Thank author Henry Neff for creating such an exotic cast of bizarre characters. But it's up to narrator Ramiz Monsef to bring those characters to life. This Monsef accomplishes magnificently with characters who range from Laszlo, a snarky 800-year-old demon, to Maggie, an earnest young... Read More