Poison Jungle

Shannon McManus doesn’t just read *Poison Jungle*—she *performs* it. Her delivery of Sundew’s snarky, strategic narration crackles with equal parts defiance and exhaustion, making the LeafWing’s descent into vengeance feel personal rather than cartoonish. The side characters are where McManus really shines: her portrayal of a HiveWing royal’s faux-honeyed lies is so deliciously slimy it’s almost funny, while the gravelly tones of an older, battle-worn mentor anchor the story’s heavier moments. The pacing is tight, with enough worldbuilding woven into dialogue to keep newcomers oriented without ever feeling like a history lesson. My only critique? Some of the secondary characters’ motivations blur together in the audio format, making it hard to keep track of who’s allied with whom—though that’s less a narration flaw and more a structural one. The production quality is top-notch, with dynamic sound design that makes the jungle feel alive, from the hum of insects to the crunch of underbrush. As for the story itself, Sutherland walks a razor’s edge between hope and despair, refusing to let Sundew (or the listener) off easy. The ending is a gut-punch, but it’s the kind that lingers, leaving you hungry for the next chapter. If you’re here for a heroine who’s equal parts terrifying and relatable, *Poison Jungle* delivers—with McManus as your guide through the poisoned trees.