Audiobooks narrated by Vico Ortiz

"As endearing as it is humorous, this debut middle grade novel by Jess Callans is a tender, queer coming of age story about the courage it takes to find your own voice and choosing to just be. Puberty, AKA the ultimate biological predator, is driving a wedge between soon-to-be 13 year old Ollie Thompson and their lifelong friends. Too much of a girl for their neighborhood hockey team, but not girly enough for their boy-crazed BFF, Ollie doesn’t know where they fit. And their usual ability to camouflage? Woefully disrupted. When a school project asks them to write an essay on what it means to be a woman (if anyone’s got an answer, that’d be great), and one of their new friends is the target of bullying, Ollie is caught between the safety of fleeing from their own differences or confronting the risks of fighting to take their own path forward. 'Debut author Callans’ confiding tone leans into Ollie’s flummoxed first-person ruminations with rhetorical questions that probe moments of deep vulnerability and hope. … Clear echoes of Judy Blume couple with themes of social adaptation that rely a bit heavily on analogies to the animal kingdom, but a range of readers should relate to Ollie’s sense of otherness. As Ollie puts it, 'Being yourself can hurt,' but awkward and self-aware stories like Ollie’s can help more tweens 'just be.''—Booklist, starred review"

Jess Callans (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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A Sky of Emerald Stars

"The second book in the all-new Golden Court romantasy trilogy. A secret song. A hidden fortress. A world on the brink of war. Royal guard Sadie Rauxtide has been grappling with how she’ll fit into the Golden Court, after the long, tyrannical reign of the evil sorceress has finally ended. But all thoughts of peace are lost when rival Wolf king Nero kidnaps the new Queen’s friend and mentor, Ora. Sadie along with Navin and Maez are tasked with discovering Nero’s secrets. Yet Navin is hiding things too, and Sadie must uncover them, all while battling her growing attraction to the man who betrayed her. She may have a mission, but the heart wants what it wants and fate has its own magic. Meanwhile, Queen Calla is forced to seek help from the Ice Wolf pack’s queen to stop Nero’s prejudicial rule. But when she repeatedly dismisses Calla’s new gender identity and is unwilling to help rescue Ora, Calla must battle between diplomacy and being their true self. As war brews and Sadie and Calla struggle to gain support, the pair will discover that the world of Aotreas is more than it seems."

A.K. Mulford (Author), Bridget Bordeaux, Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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Metal from Heaven

"“WHEN MY VIOLENCE SUBSIDES, WE WILL HAVE NOTHING, AND BE CHAMPIONS.” Ichorite is progress. More durable and malleable than steel, ichorite is the lifeblood of a dawning industrial revolution. Yann I. Chauncey owns the sole means of manufacturing this valuable metal, but his workers are on strike. They demand Chauncey research the hallucinatory illness befalling them. Marney Honeycutt, a luster-touched child worker, stands proud at the picket line with her best friend and family. That’s when Chauncey sends in the guns. Only Marney survives the massacre. She vows bloody vengeance. A decade later, Marney is the nation’s most notorious highwayman, and Chauncey’s daughter seeks an opportune marriage. Marney’s rage and the ghosts of her past will drive her to masquerade as an aristocrat, outmaneuver powerful suitors, and win the heart of his daughter, so Marney can finally corner Chauncey and satisfy her need for revenge. But war ferments in the north, and deeper grudges are surfacing … “A queer, bloody love letter to rebellion.”—Nino Cipri"

August Clarke (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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Splinter & Ash

"“A winning addition to boundary-defying heroines like Alanna of Trebond and Sir Callie.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “An exciting, twisty story packed with everything you want from a fantasy adventure.” —Anne Ursu, author of Not Quite a Ghost In New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp's immersive middle grade fantasy, two young misfits embark on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom—and each other. For fans of B. B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers, Soman Chainani’s School for Good and Evil, and Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books. On the eve of her twelfth birthday, all Princess Adelisa—Ash to her friends—wants to do is run away. The palace doesn’t feel like home. Her mother is holding the war-torn kingdom together by a thread. Her brother bullies her. And the masked ball to celebrate her birthday turns into a nightmare when the nobles openly mock her. Then Ash meets Splinter. Fierce, brave, and adventurous, Splinter dreams of becoming a knight like her older brother, though only noble sons get to be squires. Until now. There’s never been a princess’s squire before, but Ash decides it’s the perfect solution. Together, they can face the bullies, snobs, gossips, and disapproving families. But as their friendship grows, Splinter and Ash discover a deadly conspiracy of nobles planning to overthrow the queen. When Ash is kidnapped, Splinter must navigate long-held secrets and dangerous plots. Ash needs to be a princess who saves herself. And they both have to find a way back to each other to save the kingdom, together. The first in a trilogy, bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp’s Splinter & Ash evokes the classic adventure and atmosphere of fantasies by Lloyd Alexander and Tamora Pierce and the fresh, inclusive lens of writers such as Rick Riordan, Angie Thomas, and Soman Chainani. It invites everyone—no matter who they are or what they look like—to fight for what they believe in."

Marieke Nijkamp (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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The Diablo's Curse

"From the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Bargain and Most Ardently comes a high-stakes race to defeat a curse designed to kill--about a teen demon who wants to be human, a boy cursed to die young, and the murderous island destined to bury them both. Dami is a demon determined to cancel every deal they've ever made in order to tether their soul to earth and become human again. There's just one person standing in their way: Silas. An irresistibly (and stubborn) cute boy cursed to die young, except for the deal with Dami that is keeping him alive. If they cancel the deal, Silas is dead. Unless... they can destroy the curse that has plagued Silas's family for generations. But to do so, Dami and Silas are going to have to work together. That is, if the curse doesn't kill them first. . . ."

Gabe Cole Novoa (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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A River of Golden Bones

"From bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the first riveting, enchanting book in the all-new Golden Court trilogy. A young heir begins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure as she comes out of hiding to save her sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curse… A sleeping curse. A fallen court. A secret twin. Twins Calla and Briar have spent their entire lives hiding from the powerful sorceress who destroyed their kingdom…and from the humans who don’t know they are Wolves. Each twin has their own purpose in life: Briar’s is to marry the prince of an ally pack and save the Golden Court. Calla’s purpose is to remain a secret, her twin’s shadow . . . the backup plan. No one knows who Calla truly is except for her childhood friend—and sister’s betrothed—the distractingly handsome Prince Grae. But when Calla and Briar journey out of hiding for Briar’s wedding, all of their well-made plans go awry. The evil sorceress is back with another sleeping curse for the last heir to the Golden Court. Calla must step out of the shadows to save their sister, their kingdom, and their own legacy. Continuing to hide as a human and denying who she truly is, Calla embarks on a quest across the realm, discovering a whole world she never knew existed. Outside the confines of rigid Wolf society, Calla begins to wonder: who could she be if she dared to try? Full of adventure, love, gender exploration, and self-discovery, A River of Golden Bones follows Calla’s journey through treacherous Wolf kingdoms, monster-filled realms, and the depths of their own heart in this thrilling romantic fantasy."

A.K. Mulford (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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Her Night With Santa

"Being the favorite niece of one of the Kings of the Magi has its perks. For example, borrowing Santa’s secret beach villa for a solo getaway, even if it’s just for one night. And after the year she’s had, Farnaz Castillo is planning to enjoy every second she has in this gorgeous mansion. With a suitcase full of *ahem* all her favorite toys, she’s sure to have a very merry time before she has to join the rest of her family for their annual ski trip. Being the first woman to command Santa’s sleigh is exhausting work. By the time Christmas Day comes along, Kristina Kringle is usually more than ready for some solitary R&R at her Caribbean beach villa— where peace and quiet are the only thing on her agenda. But when Kristina walks into her bedroom and finds an unexpected and sexy guest making extremely good use of Santa’s California King bed, it occurs to Kristina that a night of fun with the fiery brunette is exactly what she needs. Kristina and Farnaz vow to make excellent use of their night together, but when morning comes and it’s time to say goodbye, will Santa be ready to let go of the best gift she’s ever gotten? This festive novelette is guaranteed to make your holiday reading extra naughty."

Adriana Herrera (Author), Brooke Hayden, Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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The Evolving Truth of Ever-Stronger Will

"Will, an agender teen, struggles with the haunting aftermath of parental abuse as they forge a new life and love in this novel that is perfect for fans of If These Wings Could Fly and Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Will is a 17-year-old on the cusp of freedom—freedom from providing and caring for their abusive, addicted mother, freedom from their small town with an even smaller mindset, and freedom from having to hide who they truly are. When their mother dies months before their 18th birthday, Will is granted this freedom earlier than expected. They begin to dream of escaping to the big city of Baltimore, of dating the magnetic and gorgeous Julian, and of living, unencumbered and free. But their mother’s last words haunt Will. With her dying breath she cursed them, claiming her death was their fault. Soon their mother’s drug-dealing past threatens Will’s shiny new future, leaving Will scrambling to find their beloved former foster parent Raz before Child Protective Services or their mother’s drug associates find them first. But how do you reconnect with family and embark on a new love when you’re convinced you destroy everything you touch? 'A bittersweet portrait of an agender teen finding true family following parental abuse … MacGregor sensitively renders Will’s harrowing circumstances, culminating in an emotionally satisfying resolution.'—Publishers Weekly"

Maya Macgregor (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

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Toy Runners Boxset

"This audiobook set includes all three installments in the Toy Runners holiday novella series: Her Night With Santa, The Toy King, and Run Darling. Her Night With Santa In this festive novelette, the first woman to command Santa’s sleigh finds a fiery brunette in her bed when she returns to her Caribbean beach villa after Christmas Day. When morning comes and it’s time to say goodbye, will Santa be ready to let go of the best gift she’s ever gotten? The Toy King Kessina agrees to marry a son from the House of Correa to get herself out from under her father's watchful eye. The only problem? She's promised to the wrong one. Can she convince Valente they're a perfect match and get the best gift of all? Run Darling When an accident in the toy factory keeps Arabella Gaspar and Rhyne Carrasco in the North Pole—and in the same bed—for the night, Rhyne sees his chance to claim what's his."

Adriana Herrera (Author), Brooke Hayden, Gomez Pugh, Lola James, Ramona Master, Vico Ortiz, Victor Quixabas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes

"Sixteen extraordinary authors subvert mental health stereotypes in this powerful and uplifting mix-genre collection of fiction. A boxer whose strength is tested more outside the ring than in it. A hiker who develops magical powers when her serotonin is finally balanced. A teen activist wrestling with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A boy whose uncontrollable tears help enable another’s healing … In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose and verse, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes and remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean you are defined by it."

Alechia Dow, Anna Drury, Ebony Stewart, Francisco Stork, Isabel Quintero, James Bird, Jonathan Kastin, Karen Bao, Marcella Pixley, Mercedes Acosta, Nikki Grimes, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Patrick Downes, Rocky Callen, Sonia Patel, Val Howlett (Author), Ana Osorio, Maxwell Glick, Merissa Czyz, Priya Ayyar, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Sophie Oda, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic

"Perfect for fans of All Out and Cemetery Boys, this anthology claims a seat at the table of fantasy literature for trans and gender nonconforming stories. Transness is as varied and colorful as magic can be. In Transmogrify!, you’ll embark on fourteen different adventures alongside unforgettable characters who embody many different genders and expressions and experiences—because magic is for everyone, and that is cause for celebration. Featuring stories from: AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy g. haron davis Mason Deaver Jonathan Lenore Kastin Emery Lee Saundra Mitchell Cam Montgomery Ash Nouveau Sonora Reyes Renee Reynolds Dove Salvatierra Ayida Shonibar Francesca Tacchi Nik Traxler"

G. Haron Davis (Author), Avi Roque, Nicky Endres, Qamar Yochanan, Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

"Murder most fowl? In this sardonic and campy YA thriller, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself investigating a murder with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group...and trying not to get killed next. Sixteen-year-old Bianca Torre is an avid birder undergoing a gender identity crisis and grappling with an ever-growing list of fears. Some, like Fear #6: Initiating Conversation, keep them constrained, forcing them to watch birds from the telescope in their bedroom. And, occasionally, their neighbors. When their gaze wanders to one particular window across the street, Bianca witnesses a creepy plague-masked murderer take their neighbor’s life. Worse, the death is ruled a suicide, forcing Bianca to make a choice—succumb to their long list of fears (including #3 Murder and #55 Breaking into a Dead Guy’s Apartment), or investigate what happened. Bianca enlists the help of their friend Anderson Coleman, but the two have more knowledge of anime than true crime. As Bianca and Anderson dig deeper into the murder with a little help from Bianca’s crush and fellow birding aficionado, Elaine Yee (#13 Beautiful People, #11 Parents Discovering They’re a Raging Lesbian), the trio uncover a conspiracy much larger—and weirder—than imagined. And when the killer catches wind of the investigation, suddenly Bianca’s #1 fear of public speaking doesn’t sound so bad compared to the threat of being silenced for good. In this absurdist, darkly comical YA thriller that is a deceptively deep exploration of anxiety and identity, perhaps the real murder investigation is the friends we make along the way. "

Justine Pucella Winans (Author), Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Vico Ortiz