Changeling

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes when I saw *another* magical school book—but *Changeling* won me over in the first chapter. Cassandra Reed is the kind of protagonist I’d have adored as a teen: stubborn, funny, and *so* done with pretending to be something she’s not. The plot kicks off with a bang (literally—there’s an explosion involving a cursed teapot), and Harper keeps the momentum going with a mix of mystery, snarky dialogue, and genuine stakes. The magic system is refreshingly practical—no chosen-one nonsense here, just girls learning to wield power in a world that’s equal parts whimsical and cutthroat. Amanda Ronconi’s performance is a masterclass in audiobook narration. She gives Cassandra a voice that’s equal parts weary and witty, like a teen who’s seen too much but still cracks jokes to cope. The secondary characters shine too, especially the villainous (but weirdly charismatic) Miss Castwell, whose voice Ronconi laces with just enough menace to make you lean in. My only critique? The romance subplot feels a tad rushed—it’s cute, but I wished for more slow-burn tension. And while the ending ties up neatly, a few plot threads (like the fate of a certain rival) get resolved *too* conveniently. Still, the audiobook’s production is flawless—no jarring volume shifts or awkward pauses—and the overall vibe is like binge-watching a clever, feminist *Sabrina the Teenage Witch* reboot. If you love snarky heroines, lush worldbuilding, and narrators who *get* the tone, this is your next listen.