Avenger

I’ll admit, I side-eyed *Avenger* at first—another ‘kids being mean’ story? But within minutes, Glen McCready’s performance had me hooked. His Gareth isn’t just a ‘nerdy kid’ archetype; he’s a *real* boy, the kind who practices his jokes in the mirror and overthinks every social interaction. McCready nails the vocal tics—Gareth’s voice cracks when he’s lying, Jake’s stories get louder and faster the more outrageous they become—and the result is an audiobook that *feels* like eavesdropping on a school corridor. The story’s strength is its refusal to soften the edges. When Gareth’s impression of Jake’s accent goes viral for all the wrong reasons, the humiliation isn’t glossed over with a quick apology or a heart-to-heart. Instead, Johnson lets the awkwardness fester, and the silence between Gareth and Jake afterward is *palpable*—a testament to McCready’s pacing. My only critique? The ending, while realistic, might leave some listeners wanting more closure. And at times, Jake’s tales veer *so* over-the-top that even the characters’ disbelief feels stretched. But those are quibbles. For anyone who’s ever cringed at their own past social blunders (so, all of us), *Avenger* is a short, sharp listen that packs a punch. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself wincing in sympathy.