FBI agent Jane Hawk goes rogue to take on a shadow organization that may be responsible for the death of her husband and many others. Narrator Elisabeth Rodgers deftly portrays Jane as a grieving widow, fiercely protective mother, and dogged investigator. Early on, Rodgers exposes Jane's vulnerability and then smoothly switches gears to take on her steely resolve as the action ramps up. Rodgers also flexes her considerable vocal range to capture an eclectic supporting cast, though a few of her portrayals veer towards stereotypes. As Jane finds a surprising partner in the story's final act, Rodgers develops fantastic chemistry between the pair that listeners may wish had been explored earlier. If you're left wanting more, take heart: Jane Hawk is returning for at least two sequels.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470394486
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.
Listeners will be immediately drawn into the vivid, sweeping world of the Azalea Dynasty. Narrators Katharine Chin and Eric Yang create an immersive fantasy setting for this powerful story about legacy, hierarchy, power, and politics. Primary protagonist Wei Yin is desperate as she watches her family and her village succumb to starvation, and she is willing to do anything to survive. As allegiances are formed and war is imminent, Wei Yin's talent for poetry gives her a voice, and she learns the dangers and advantages of taking her power.
Descriptive magical settings, multidimensional characters, and nuanced storytelling.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435576
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
James Marsters' weary delivery perfectly captures Harry Dresden's fractured psyche as he navigates a year of mandatory mourning and political maneuvering in Chicago. Marsters doesn't just read; he inhabits Harry's exhaustion, using deliberate pacing and a somber tonal palette that underscores the protagonist's post-traumatic stress. Marsters' gift for distinct vocal characterizations remains sharp, effortlessly pivoting from the ethereal, detached elegance of the Sidhe to the grounded warmth of Harry's remaining allies. By leaning into the book's quieter, more introspective moments, Marsters elevates this urban fantasy's emotional stakes, transforming a year of Dresden's life into a poignant study of grief. It's an immersive performance that makes the wizard's vulnerability feel hauntingly real. Marsters' soulful performance makes this a compelling entry in the Harry Dresden series.
Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217176021
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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