City of Time and Magic Audiobook – Found Things Series, Book 4

There’s a particular kind of magic in listening to an audiobook on a rainy Portland afternoon, the city outside blurring into mist as each chapter unfolds. That was my experience with Paula Brackston’s “City of Time and Magic”—a story that swept me into its intricately woven tapestry of time travel, danger, love, and impossible choices. As someone who treasures both the escapism and insight audiobooks can bring, this fourth installment in the Found Things series reminded me why I adore stories that refuse to fit neatly into one genre.

Xanthe’s journey resonated deeply with me—not just because she faces world-bending challenges (like which enchanted antique will call her next), but because her struggle between duty and desire feels so achingly human. The heartbreak Xanthe feels after losing Liam—the ache to rewrite what fate has snatched away—is something I’ve known in quieter ways: the longing for connection when life pulls loved ones apart or makes us choose between our own happiness and doing what’s right for others.

The stakes here are higher than ever before. Xanthe must not only rescue Liam but also confront a dark new threat: the Visionary Society—a secretive group manipulating time itself for profit. The concept is chilling; it made me think about how tempting it is to meddle with “what should be” rather than accept things as they are, an idea that ripples through our own lives whenever we wish we could change past regrets.

What sets this audiobook apart—beyond Brackston’s lush prose—is how vividly each era springs to life. The details, from Regency England parlors to shadowy gatherings of spinners wielding ancient magic, feel utterly real yet shimmer with possibility. I especially loved seeing familiar characters return (and yes—there’s even a crossover cameo from Elizabeth Hawksmith!), giving longtime fans like myself a warm thrill while still welcoming newcomers who might jump in here first.

Marisa Calin once again proves herself as one of my favorite narrators. Her voice captures Xanthe’s warmth and resolve perfectly; there’s vulnerability when needed but also steel beneath it all. Calin gives every character distinct shading—I never once lost track during fast-paced scenes filled with shifting alliances or emotional reckonings—and she delivers suspenseful moments with breathless energy that kept me hooked well past bedtime more than once!

That said, I occasionally wished for tighter pacing; some passages luxuriate so much in historical atmosphere that momentum lags just a bit before ramping up again for key confrontations or plot twists. But honestly? For listeners who savor immersive worlds (like I do), those detours feel like lingering over your favorite tea rather than rushing through an adventure just to see what happens next.

At its heart, “City of Time and Magic” asks hard questions about sacrifice and free will—about choosing love versus serving something greater than yourself—and does so without easy answers or tidy resolutions. It’s rare for fantasy novels to give such weighty moral dilemmas alongside page-turning excitement…but Brackston manages both beautifully here.

For anyone craving an audiobook brimming with historical richness, magical peril, romantic longing, and moral complexity—all voiced exquisitely by Marisa Calin—I can’t recommend this highly enough. Whether you’re new to Xanthe’s world or already spellbound by Brackston’s storytelling prowess like I am, let yourself get lost in this City; you’ll emerge changed…and maybe even a little more willing to believe in everyday magic.