Frost

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—*Storks* who deliver souls? In *Minnesota*? But *Frost* won me over with its refusal to take itself too seriously while still delivering genuine stakes. Katla is a protagonist who feels real: she’s flawed, occasionally petty, and her powers come with actual consequences (like, say, frostbite). The romance with Jack subverts the usual YA tropes—he’s not some ancient immortal, just a guy with his own messy history, and their chemistry hinges on shared sarcasm more than insta-love. That said, the plot occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own lore. Delsol’s Norse mythology is inventive, but there are moments where the rules of Katla’s abilities feel conveniently flexible to serve the story. Julia Whelan’s performance is what makes this audiobook worth your time. She avoids the pitfall of making Katla sound whiny, even in her most self-pitying moments, and her Jack is refreshingly *not* a gravel-voiced brooder. The supporting cast gets distinct voices, too—particularly Katla’s mom, whose warm but no-nonsense tone grounds the story’s weirder elements. My one critique? The production could’ve used a touch more atmospheric sound design. A few well-placed wind effects or subtle audio cues during the supernatural scenes might’ve heightened the immersion. Still, Whelan’s delivery is so engaging that I found myself forgiving the occasional pacing lag in the middle act. If you’re craving a YA romance with bite—and a narrator who makes snark sound like an art form—this is a solid pick.