Ain't No Basic Witch.
If your day needs a little more magic in it, check out one of these audiobooks for a bit of fantasy. If you have ever found yourself wishing you could dive into a fairytale kingdom, bend metal to your will, or change your appearance whenever the mood strikes, then these stories are for you. Dive into these fresh and unique stories that contain magic, witches, supernatural elements, and more. Be warned--there are no basic witches here, and not everything is as it seems.Adeyemi, Tomi. Children of Blood and Bone. Narrated by Bahni Turin. Macmillan Audio, March 2018. 17 hours, 44 minutes. $44.99. 978-1-4272-9551-4. 5Q 5P S NA
Magic used to exist in Ori'sha. Once an unjust king killed the maji, magic was gone. The children of the maji, called the diviners, were left alive and some remember the days of magic. Zelie is a diviner and has been struggling to live in a world prejudiced against her and anyone who helps her. When Zelie meets Amari, the daughter of the king responsible for killing Zelie's mother and removing magic from Orisha, everything changes. Zelie has the chance to bring back magic for good.
In this fantasy story, the listener faces challenging situations, including prejudice, genocide, and the struggle to know what is fair and right. The authors note at the end of the novel states that the current race relations in America inspired the story and although it may seem like it takes place long ago or far away, many of the themes are relevant to today's teens. Narrated by the talented Bahni Turin, the story feels truly alive. Turin's ability to alter her voice for each distinct character is admirable and makes the performance feel like many narrators are telling the story. Many readers will find a character to root for and, at the end of the story, will be eager for the next installment. Fans of the book will be excited to hear of the possible movie adaptation coming soon. Highly recommended, this story is not to be missed.
Albert, Melissa. The Hazel Wood. Narrated by Rebecca Soler. Macmillan Young Listeners, January 2018. 10 hours, 30 minutes. $39.99. 978-1-42-729353-4. 5Q 5P JS
Alice has been running all her life with her mother. Chased for years by fans of her grandmother's fairytale book and just plain bad luck, Alice and her mother never stayed anywhere too long. After her grandmother's death, her mother believes that luck will finally go their way, and they stop moving around. Unfortunately, it does not take long for the bad luck to find them again. Alice's mother is kidnapped, and the fairytale world her grandmother created seems to be coming to life in front of Alice's eyes. Alice knows she cannot let her mother stay captured, so she throws herself into her grandmother's world to save her.
Although The Hazel Wood is a fairytale, it is not a Disney fairytale. This is not a lighthearted read but something that will stick with listeners for a long time and may, at times, disconcert the listener. Fans of Neil Gaiman's work may find a new favorite here and will be hoping for more stories set in this fairytale land. Performed by Rebecca Soler, the audiobook is an excellent way to experience the story. Soler's voice is perfect for Alice-believable as a disgruntled teenager and, when the story calls for it, a little unsettling. It is not hard to forget one's self while listening to Soler narrate this lush fairytale. Pick up this title the next time you are looking for a story that makes you not want to press pause.
Gratton, Tessa. Strange Grace. Narrated by Amy McFadden. Tantor Audio, September 2018. 11 hours. $39.99. 978-1-63015-342-7. 4Q 4P J S
The village of Three Graces has no sickness, no suffering, and no pain. To ensure these blessings, the people of Three Graces must give their best boy to the forest every seven years. The forest surrounds the village and belongs to the Devil. Many years ago, a witch made a deal with the Devil, and the people of Three Graces still honor that deal. Mairwen Grace is the daughter of the Grace Witch and will someday be a witch herself. When she notices a sick horse only three years into the most recent deal, she realizes that all is not what it seems. The village is forced to send their best boy, Rhun, into the forest four years early. Rhun is one of the people Mairwen loves the most and she, as the future Grace Witch, must prepare him for the night ahead. Mairwen knows the bargain is not working, so when their friend Arthur runs into the forest ahead of Rhun, Mairwen decides to run into the forest as well to find out what is wrong.
This story of a protected village may seem similar to many in the same vein, but the core relationship between Mairwen, Rhun, and Arthur will keep people listening. Mairwen is a strong, loyal, and brave character. The love triangle presented in the story is more complicated and intriguing than many. This story addresses the fluidity of sexuality and gender in a way that feels true to the story and is not forced to fit. Amy McFadden narrates the story at a relaxed and slow pace, allowing the listener to grasp and imagine the story as it unfolds. While some elements of the plot may feel familiar, many listeners will want to stick with the story to find out the truth about Three Graces and see where the central relationships go. Recommended.
Lee, Yoon Ha. Dragon Pearl. Narrated by Kim Mai Guest. Listening Library, January 2019. 10 hours, 20 minutes. $30. 9780-525-58757-6. 4Q 4P M J
Min is a fox spirit. She can influence people to do her will and shapeshift into living beings and non-living things. Unfortunately, fox spirits have a bad reputation, and many people believe they cannot be trusted. Min and her family live in human form and keep their powers a secret. When her brother goes missing from the Spaces Forces, rumored to be chasing the magical dragon pearl, Min decides that it is up to her to find out what happened to him. She uses her fox magic to travel off her world and ends up going on an epic space adventure, meeting new friends and enemies along the way.
This story is part fantasy, part ghost story, and part science fiction. Using Korean mythology as inspiration, Yoon Ha Lee wrote a story that will draw many readers. Part of Rick Riordan's new imprint, this story will attract interest from readers of his work. The inclusion of mythology may be familiar to Riordan fans, but many readers may find something to love, because this story bends and blends genres. An important element of this story is Lee's treatment of personal pronouns; each character chooses their preferred pronoun, and it is then used respectfully and consistently. Narrator Kim Mai Guest brings life to thirteen-year-old Min in a way that feels very authentic. As the character of Min gains confidence, it can be heard in Guest's voice. This story will be attractive to many listeners.
Soria, Destiny. Beneath the Citadel. Narrated by Rebecca Gibel. Tantor Media, October 2018. 13 hours, 30 minutes. $29.99. 978-1-63015-301-4. 4Q 4PJS
The people in Eldra are governed by a high council that puts more focus on old prophecies than on helping their citizens. Cassa's late parents were revolutionaries, and Cassa is attempting to follow in their footsteps to overthrow the high council. She has been working with her friends Alys, Evander, and Newt, and they try to break into the citadel. The citadel is the stronghold of the high council, and people have been mysteriously losing their minds within its walls. Different rules apply in Eldra: some people can bend metal to their will like Evander, others have talents that allow them to remove memories by touch, and some can see the future. In the citadel, these talents are used against people. Cassa and her friends must navigate a difficult world of corruption and supernatural talents to survive the citadel.
This story is a well-plotted and intricate adventure. Eldra becomes a lush and vivid setting once the listener understands the rules. Fans of fantasy novels will enjoy Cassa and her friends and will be rooting for them to succeed in overthrowing the high council. Rebecca Gibel's strong voice works well for this plot-driven story. This audiobook would make a great addition to any library that has patrons clamoring for more fantasy stories.
Spotswood, Jessica, and Tess Sharpe, editors. Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft. Narrated by Amy McFadden. Tantor Media, August 2018. 11 hours, 30 minutes. $42.99. 978-1-977313-33-1. 4Q 4PJS
This collection of short stories offers a wide range of settings, genres, and characters all fitting into the themes of women and witchcraft. The women featured range from an old west homesteader to a Californian Instagram influencer and everything in-between. The stories are engaging. The characters in these stories represent many perspectives, sexualities, and ethnicities. Overall, the collection is engrossing. Many listeners will want more from some of the stories as the next one starts.
Listening to a series of short stories may be a new experience for some, but the format allows the listener to finish an entire story in a short amount of time. It is the perfect listen to squeeze into a busy day. Amy McFadden proves to be an excellent narrator, adapting her tone when called for while staying easy to understand. Recommended for all fans of witchcraft stories.
You will not need a magic spell to find your next favorite magical story. Just look at the list above and add a few of these excellent audiobooks to your to-be-read pile--one might become your new favorite.
Rachel Metzler is a librarian at Wisconsin Valley Library Service. She previously worked with children and teens in public libraries and new adults at a two-year college. Because much of her time is spent chasing after her two-year-old daughter, audiobooks are her favorite way to read.
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| Title Annotation: | Audio Talk |
|---|---|
| Author: | Metzler, Rachel |
| Publication: | Voice of Youth Advocates |
| Date: | Jun 1, 2019 |
| Words: | 1687 |
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