Dragon Heart

Kim Reiko’s narration is the secret sauce in this audiobook, giving Sorcha the perfect mix of sarcasm, grit, and vulnerability. She nails the rapid-fire banter between students and the sheer exhaustion in Sorcha’s voice when she’s dodging yet another assassination attempt (because of course someone’s trying to kill her—again). The production quality is crisp, with subtle sound design that immerses you in the academy’s grandeur without overpowering the story. That said, the pacing drags in a few spots where the emotional beats could’ve been tighter, and I found myself wishing for more worldbuilding around the dragons’ hierarchy earlier on. Still, Reiko sells the book’s humor and heartbreak in equal measure, making it easy to forgive the occasional lull. Sorcha’s voice is the standout—she’s not your typical chosen one, and that’s what makes her refreshing. If you love heroines who fall more than they fly but claw their way back up, this audiobook will leave you cheering. Just don’t expect a fairytale ending.