High Tides

I’ll admit, I approached *High Tides* with skepticism—another urban fantasy set in Hawaii, another guardian protagonist with a tragic backstory? But Herzog’s worldbuilding is so immersive that skepticism drowns in the sound of crashing surf. Virtual Voice’s narration is a standout, capturing the rhythmic cadence of Hawaiian pidgin with authenticity while modulating their voice into something genuinely unsettling when the supernatural wades in. The book’s strength lies in its refusal to romanticize the islands; the beauty of Hawaii is always undercut by its harsh realities, from tourism-induced corruption to the literal ground trembling under divine wrath. Marcus Aries is a compelling lead—flawed, weary, but not whiny, which is a relief in a genre where protagonists often verge on martyrdom. My biggest critique? The corporate villain, though well-intentioned, occasionally feels like a cardboard cutout compared to the richly realized supernatural threats. And yes, the pacing stumbles once or twice in the middle act, but the payoff in the final third is worth the detour. If you need proof that audiobooks can deliver visceral, location-driven horror-thrillers, *High Tides* is your tide chart.