Dear Justyce

I devoured *Dear Justyce* in one sitting, not because it’s easy, but because it’s impossible to look away. Dion Graham’s performance is a revelation—he nails the protagonist’s voice with a gravelly cadence that screams ‘I’ve been through hell,’ while Nic Stone’s author narration is calm, almost soothing, creating a stark contrast that underscores the story’s themes. The letters format works brilliantly, but I’ll admit it did feel a tad repetitive after the first few chapters. Still, the repetition is intentional, mirroring the cyclical nature of the justice system and the protagonist’s internal struggle. The pacing is tight, with moments of quiet introspection punctuated by explosive tension, like when the teen confronts a corrupt system or grapples with the moral ambiguity of survival. I loved the subtle sound design—distant echoes of footsteps, the scrape of metal chairs—though I wish the background music had been less intrusive during the more personal letters. The ending left me breathless, but it also felt a bit rushed, as if the narrative couldn’t bear to linger in the emotional aftermath. That said, the audiobook’s power lies in its unvarnished honesty. It’s not just a story; it’s a reckoning, and Graham and Stone’s narration make that reckoning feel like a punch to the gut.