Pathfinder

I went into *Pathfinder* skeptical—another YA sci-fi with a “chosen one” trope? But Card flips expectations early by making Rigg’s power feel like a curse first and a gift second. The audiobook’s narration elevates this further; Stefan Rudnicki’s Rasheed sounds like a man who’s carried too many secrets for too long, while Kirby Heyborne’s Rigg isn’t just a wide-eyed teen—he’s sharp, flawed, and a little reckless, which makes his mistakes hurt. The full-cast approach works best in dialogue-heavy scenes, where each actor adopts a unique cadence (Kristoffer Tabori’s dry, aristocratic tone as Param is a standout). That said, the first act drags a bit—Card lingers on world-building, which some listeners might mistake for filler. And while the time-jump payoff is brilliant, the middle sags when the plot shifts from survival to sociopolitical scheming. Still, the payoff is worth the patience. The audiobook’s 17-hour runtime feels earned by the end, especially thanks to the immersive sound design that makes the “paths” feel tangible. If you’re tired of YA sci-fi that treats its audience like it’s five years old, *Pathfinder* is a refreshing challenge.