Hayes’s delightfully reimagined fairy tales get a theatrical presentation that makes this audiobook most entertaining. Fairies are renowned for granting mortals’ dearest wishes—but the price is usually painfully high. Enter the Bastard Champions, a trio of scoundrels portrayed by Scott Aiello, Marc Vietor, and Tavia Gilbert. They will perform any task as long as their payment is swiftly rendered. There’s Jack, the wily leader whose outward insouciance hides a dark secret; Frank, a cool, calm, and kind character marked by some notorious scars; and Marie, whose sharp-tongued savvy hides a fascinating alter ego. Their comradeship is clear from the first scene and evolves throughout each of their tests and trials. Each of the many secondary characters is easily identifiable, with Gilbert earning special praise for crafting so many distinct female characters.—AudioFile Magazine