Fairy Tales & Folklore Audiobooks | Literature

""From the lush setting to the evocative prose to the can't-look-away characters, this is one of my most anticipated novels of the year." -NPR "Come for the fantasy; stay for the vengeance, and enjoy the beauty of both." -Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and Daughter of Smoke & Bone For fans of The Night Circus, this sweeping historical fantasy set in a lush, Puerto Rico-inspired world, uses magical realism to combine Caribbean carnaval culture and the mythology of the Taíno-the Indigenous people of the region-in a gripping exploration of community, reclamation, and healing in defiance of a violent past. When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises. Within the shores of Isla Bestia, guests from around the world discover a utopia of ever-changing performances, sumptuous feasts and beautiful monsters. Many enter, but few ever leave-the wine is simply too sweet, the music too fine and the revelry endless. Sofía, a freedwoman from a nearby colonized island, cares little for this revelry. Born an enslaved mestiza on a tobacco plantation, she has neither wealth nor title, only a scholarly pragmatism and a hunger for answers. She travels to el Carnaval de Bestias in search of her twin brother, who disappeared five years ago. There's a world of wonder waiting for her on the shores of this legendary island, one wherein conquerors profit from Sofia's ancestral lands and her people's labor. But surrounded by her former enslavers, she finds something familiar in the performances-whispers of the island's native tongue, music and stories from her Taike'ri ancestors…a culture long hidden in the shadows, thrust into the light. As the nights pass, her mind begins unraveling, drowning in the unnatural, almost sentient thrall of Carnaval. And the sense that someone is watching her grows. To find her brother and break free, Sofia must peel back the glamorous curtain and face those behind Carnaval, before she too loses herself to the island… What you can expect in BEASTS OF CARNVAL: - Indigenous Taíno Mythology - Themes of Decolonization + Reclamation - Atmospheric Island Setting - Carnival Culture & Vejigantes - Caribbean + Latine Adult Fantasy - Historical Fantasy with Magical Realism - The Revelry Never Ends"

Rosália Rodrigo (Author), Inés del Castillo (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Market of the Dead

"An "enthralling" (Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library and Elusive) Italian-inspired gothic historical fantasy about a young woman who finds her power in the nocturnal realm that lurks beneath her town. Just beyond the waking edges of Lucerìa, an 18th-century town in the kingdom of Naples, lies the Night: an enigmatic fiefdom governed by seven immortals and fueled by Moira, the power to reshape one's destiny. On this porous border separating Day from Night, Oriana spends her time fantasizing about becoming a smith in her father's forge and eavesdropping on whispered tales of beasts and men who roam the nocturnal realm. But in the Night, these stories come alive, as Oriana saw for herself after she inadvertently trespassed into the Secret Market of the Dead, where vendors hawk Moira to those desperate enough to accept its immeasurably steep price. Years later, when her father chooses her twin brother to succeed him, Oriana challenges her sibling to a series of trials to determine the forge's true heir. But as the twins' fierce competition escalates, with the town and her own family set firmly against her, Oriana realizes that to break free from the stifling confines of Day, she must once again embrace the Night—and, as always, everything comes with a cost."

Giovanni De Feo (Author), Carlotta Brentan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Salt Bones: A Novel

"Three women in one twisted family race for answers in this "stunning" mystery set in the Mexicali borderlands that "breathes new life into the myth of Persephone and Demeter" (Ana Reyes, author of The House in the Pines) and "beautifully explores the dark complexities of mother-daughter relationships" (Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal). At the edge of the Salton Sea, in the blistering borderlands, something is out hunting. . . Malamar Veracruz has never left the dust-choked town of El Valle. Here, Mal has done her best to build a good life: She's raised two children, worked hard, and tried to forget the painful, unexplained disappearance of her sister, Elena. When another local girl goes missing, Mal plunges into a fresh yet familiar nightmare. As a desperate Mal hunts for answers, her search becomes increasingly tangled with inscrutable visions of a horse-headed woman, a local legend who Mal feels compelled to follow. Mal's perspective is joined by the voices of her two daughters, all three of whom must work to uncover the truth about the missing girls in their community before it's too late. Combining elements of Latina and Indigenous culture, family drama, mystery, horror, and magical realism in a spellbinding mix, Salt Bones lays bare the realities of environmental catastrophe, family secrets, and the unrelenting bond between mothers and daughters. "Taut with a mother's fierce love and the corrosive power of secrets . . . this is storytelling at its most urgent and haunting." -Morgan Talty, author of Night of the Living Rez "A novel of visceral and celestial storytelling power, where the grieving land holds as many secrets as the characters." -Kali Fajardo-Anstine, author of Sabrina & Corina"

Jennifer Givhan (Author), Victoria Villarreal (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Alchemy of Flowers: A Novel

"'Utterly captivating. This beautiful novel casts a whispery spell of dark enchantments, secrets, and myth.' --Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris A broken woman. A mysterious job ad. A chance to heal in French castle gardens--but strange things are growing behind the ancient stone walls. This debut adult novel is an enchanting, modern-day take on The Secret Garden, sprinkled with magic. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen. Help Wanted: In search of a gardener for the ancient walled Jardins du Paradis in the South of France. Unique and rustic lodging provided. Off the grid in all ways. One must grow flowers from one's merde . . . Exhausted by fruitless attempts to make a family, Eloise takes the chance of a lifetime to answer an ad in a French gardening magazine. To fly away from her life in the States and tend to both her shattered heart and the flowers of Paradise. And best of all for her . . . Absolutely no children allowed on the premises. Within the high garden walls, Eloise starts to learn the strange rules of the elusive estate owner. Living and working in isolation with her three companions, she finds her heart opening again to friendship--and realizes she's drawn to the handyman, Raphael. The flowers whisper to her, enchanting, delighting, healing. But why are the workers forbidden from going out during dusk? Who is the 'Goddess of the Garden'? Is her mind playing tricks on her, or does she see a woodsprite flitting through the trees? The giggles and glimpses of a little girl haunt her and make her question: What is real in Paradise and what is illusion? Eloise tries to rationalize her uneasy feelings and the darkness she uncovers beneath the garden's lush beauty, but as she digs deeper into the mysteries of her sanctuary, she begins to suspect there's a child on the grounds--who may be in danger. When Paradise becomes a deadly prison, she must risk everything to protect her newfound family and claim her second chance at happiness. 'The Alchemy of Flowers captivates the senses as well as the imagination in a magical tale of healing and forgiveness. Resau has written with great heart an eerie yet deeply touching story that keeps the pages turning until the very end.' --Melissa Payne, bestselling author of In the Beautiful Dark and The Wild Road Home"

Laura Resau (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Peculiar Gift of July: A Novel

"With a dash of magic and a cast of oddball, small-town characters, this feel-good novel explores forgiveness, family, and the sense of humor it takes to live with the ones we love the most. Ebey's End is a small town on an island off the Pacific coast, reachable only by ferry (assuming the gods are with you and it's not a Tuesday). It's a comfortable, familiar (but okay, fine, sometimes lonely) life for its resident grocer Anita Odom. That is, until fourteen-year-old July shows up on her doorstep. Taking in the recently orphaned daughter of an estranged cousin had not been on Anita's to-do list. In fact, it's a terrible idea. Anita is ill-suited, ill-prepared, and absolutely certain the entire enterprise will end in disaster-for both of them. From the moment she arrives, July seems to "know" what each customer at the Island Grocery needs. They're small things: a housekeeping magazine slipped into old Mr. Daly's basket or a coconut cream pie pressed into the hands of Pastor Chet. But one by one, these gifts start to change the lives of nearly everyone in town in ways much larger than they-or July-could have imagined. It's not long before secrets are exposed and questions emerge, and everyone in Ebey's End has to open their hearts a little wider to make room for it all."

Ashley Ream (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

American Mythology: A Novel

"A charming and comic debut novel about a quirky ensemble embarking on an epic quest to find bigfoot "American Mythology is a riveting, big-hearted novel about a group of pilgrims who encounter both the mysteries of nature and ultimately those of the human heart. Giano Cromley has given us a much-needed reminder that, if sought, wonder may yet be found in our world." -Ron Rash, author of The Caretaker Every month at St. Pete's Tavern in rugged western Montana, a meeting is convened by the Basic Bigfoot Society's members-both of them. Jute and Vergil are lifelong friends, bound by an affinity for the elusive North American Wood Ape. Their monthly meetings and annual expeditions are a tradition that keep their friendship alive when so much else about their small town has fallen away. But things are about to get exciting for the Basic Bigfoot Society. Dr. Marcus Bernard, the country's foremost Bigfoot "expert," approaches them with a proposition that seems almost too good to be true: to join their next expedition, along with an ambitious young documentarian, Vicky Xu. Thankfully, Vergil's daughter Rye is home from college, and decides to tag along in order to make sure her dad and Jute aren't made fools of. Once in the woods, strange things begin to happen to them that seem to defy rational explanation. Is this a hoax? Or are they on the precipice of the greatest anthropological discovery ever? A spooky adventure story and a wry and heartwarming tale of friendship, American Mythology is a fabulous debut about the power of belief and our sacred bond to nature."

Giano Cromley (Author), Lee Osorio (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Kingdom of Deceit and Desire

"Being tied to the Fae is no guarantee the folk will open their gates to welcome you in. Believing they've earned a place in the Faerie kingdom of Tír na nÓg, Eala, a folklore academic, and her time traveler soulmate, Sionnach, are about to face the harsh reality that mischief and misdirection lurk at the very core of Fae bargains. When Finnbheara, King of the Connacht Fae, confronts the pair on the threshold of his domain, he declares only Eala, by virtue of her Faerie origins, is welcome into his land of eternal youth. Desperate not to be separated from Sionnach, she agrees to a bargain with the wily king to grant the lovers a future together in the Fae realm. The only help offered in solving the royal challenge is from the sexy yet duplicitous Faerie, Robber Bright, arrogant commander of the Host of a Thousand Wings . . . which might be worse than no help at all. Now, with a looming lunar deadline and dark forces at work against them, Eala and Sionnach must time travel through the magical Veil, taking part in Irish history and folk tales to unravel the truths hidden in Finnbheara's enigmatic challenge."

Leslie O’Sullivan (Author), Felicity Munroe, Tim Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Fateless

"Steal your Fate. Unravel your destiny. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Laini Taylor and Sarah J. Maas, this new fantasy trilogy from Sunday Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa will sweep readers into a bold and exciting new world, where a twisted game of destiny has far-reaching consequences. 'Fantastic' SUN ‘Fateless is a breathless page turner packed with action and adventure and world ending stakes that kept me hooked beginning to end’ ALWYN HAMILTON, New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel of the Sands series 'A page-turning thrill ride with an unforgettable heroine, Fateless deftly weaves everything I love about the fantasy genre into the tapestry of its pages. This gripping read will have you begging for the sequel!' KAMILAH COLE, bestselling author of So Let Them Burn *** The Hourglass of Time waits for no one. Not even the Deathless Kings can turn back the sands once they have fallen. Seventeen-year-old Sparrow has no family other than the Thieves Guild. They found her, an orphan on the streets of Kovass, and gave her a home, training, and a purpose. Ever since, Sparrow’s sole focus has been proving herself to the guild. But the guild and the mysterious Circle that controls them are more than simple criminals. They work to bring back the reign of the Deathless Kings, the godlike sorcerers who once ruled over the world. In Sparrow they believe they have found the key to turning back the sands of time. Betrayed by those closest to her, Sparrow must turn to Raithe – the enigmatic yet alluring assassin sent to eliminate her – to escape the Guild’s shadowy plots. What ensues is a death-defying adventure that takes Sparrow far from home, across the Dust Sea, and into the trackless desert where she will discover that it’s not only her own fate that rests in her hands – but also the fate of the world entire. *** Readers are ENCHANTED by Fateless: 'The kind of fantasy I crave: fast-paced, richly imagined, and brimming with danger, loyalty, and fate-twisting magic' 'Fateless had me captivated' 'The world building was so immersive and so easy to get lost in' 'Reading this book felt like a cinematic experience' 'A brilliantly adventurous read, and I can't wait for Book 2' 'This epic tale has impressive world building with fantastic characters' 'The tension was palpable, keeping me invested right to the final page' 'Refreshingly different … an exciting, inventive start to a new series that promises epic adventure, high stakes, and a heroine worth following' Readers LOVE Julie Kagawa: ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ‘Gripping and unforgettable’ ‘A captivating read full of intriguing characters and plot twists’ ‘An amazing world to get lost in. Amazing writing and fabulous characters. Can't wait to get stuck into the next book’ ‘I am totally hooked’ ‘God, I pretty much devoured this book’ ‘This book was outstanding… I was totally enthralled’ ‘I never wanted to leave the beautiful world Julie Kagawa painted’ Fateless was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller w/c 27-07-25"

Julie Kagawa (Author), Mia Hutchinson-Shaw (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hearts and Halos

"Forgive me, Father, for I'm about to sin . . . My life is a country song. I lost my abuela, my wife, my house, and my religion. After helping my two best friends find love, I'm broke, out of shape, and lonelier than ever. Until I find an injured winged monster in the church basement I'm remodeling. He's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. Hurt and alone, he needs my help to find his missing halo. He also seems to think I'm destined to be his mate. I don't have the heart to tell him I'm straight . . . Well, straight-ish. But his himbo charm is growing on me and I don't know how to feel when he showers me with praise for every little thing. Being attracted to a man is new enough, but to a monster that looks like an angel? Seminary school never could've prepared me for this. Contains mature themes."

L Eveland (Author), Lance West, Simon Dornet (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stranded and Spellbound

"Meeting the parents can be deadly . . . Tessa Daniels finally has it all figured out. Her magic shop is booming, and she's found love with the lead detective of the Royal Agency, Derrick Chambers. Sure, her magic's still a little faulty, but she hasn't turned anyone into a mouse or started a plague in ages, and her mixed-up spells are all part of her charm. Until Derrick takes her home to the countryside to meet his parents. He promises a romantic holiday, but the cozy escape is plagued with strange accidents, mysterious guests, and exposed secrets. Tessa is convinced there's a mystery to solve, and when a snowstorm strands everyone inside the manor, they discover they're trapped with a killer. First one murder. Then two. It was supposed to be the perfect fairy tale ending, but meeting the parents may end up costing Tessa her life."

Jenna Collett (Author), Ada Sinclair (Narrator)

Audiobook

Shatter the Dark

"First, she escaped the witch, now in order to save her family, she'll have to bargain with a beast. Liana Archer knows the kind of evil that lurks in the dark. Kidnapped by a witch and forced to leave behind her brother to escape, she vows to live her life with purpose even as the past haunts her. Years later, her adoptive family and her ability to forge magical weapons have put her on a fresh path, until her father is thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Now she'll do anything to gain his freedom, even if it means bargaining with a beast. A scarred and broken man, Bowen Mackenzie only wants one thing: revenge. It's finally within his reach when a merchant delivers the mystical blade he's been searching for. But a new plan forms when he learns the merchant's daughter forged the magical weapon. Living together in a remote manor by the sea, Bowen gets more than he bargained for as the tempting beauty upends his cold existence. When buried secrets threaten to destroy their fragile bond and an old enemy from Liana's past returns, he must choose between his revenge and the woman who could be his salvation. Hansel and Gretel meets Beauty and the Beast in this exciting new retelling!"

Jenna Collett (Author), Ada Sinclair, David Brenin (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Marriage Hex

"It was a stupid wish. One that's come to haunt my doorstep fourteen years later. When I made a pact with my best friend to marry each other if we were both still single at thirty, I had no idea it would be magically bound . . . by me. Time and circumstance have separated us, and we're no longer the naïve teenagers we once were. I'm thriving with my coven and Silas is the newly appointed Alpha of the local shifter pack. Which is why this marriage will never work. The Celestial Coven and the Moon Walker Pack have had an ongoing feud that spans generations. My former best friend has now become my sworn enemy. Unfortunately, my magic hasn't gotten that memo and my nemesis/husband is now living under my roof and walking around my house topless in gray sweatpants. I don't want him. I shouldn't want him. But why do I find myself stalling at figuring out a counter curse? Contains mature themes."

Sarah Blue (Author), Amy Hall, Patrick Zeller (Narrator)

Audiobook

Fairy Tales & Folklore Audiobooks in Literature