Rites of the Starling

Dagmar Bittner’s narration is the reason *Rites of the Starling* soars above the typical audiobook. Her voice has this rare ability to shift seamlessly between Odessa’s fierce determination and the quiet, devastating moments of raw humanity. When Odessa snaps an order to her troops or when she’s whispering confessions in the dark, Bittner’s delivery nails the emotional frequency—never overacting, always precise. That said, the production isn’t flawless. There are a few instances where compression feels too tight during intense dialogue scenes, muddying the edges of the sound. But those are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar performance. The story itself? A masterclass in balancing action and introspection. Perry doesn’t let the fantasy spectacle overwhelm the romance; if anything, the stakes of Odessa’s heart feel more gripping than the looming war. My only critique is that the side characters sometimes blur together, especially in large ensemble scenes, making it hard to anchor the emotional weight in their interactions. Still, this audiobook is a triumph for fans of immersive, emotionally layered fantasy romance. If you’ve ever wanted a heroine who’s as complex as she is capable—and a love story that feels earned rather than contrived—this is the one to hit play on.