The Dead Take the A Train

I went in expecting another snarky urban fantasy with magic and monsters, but 'The Dead Take the A Train' surprised me with its nerve and rhythm. Natalie Naudus doesn’t just narrate Julie Crews—she performs her collapse and recovery in real time. You can hear the tremor in her voice after a spell, the slur of exhaustion, the sudden clarity when rage kicks in. It’s a masterclass in vocal character work. The story moves fast, but never feels rushed, balancing grotesque set pieces—a subway car full of weeping mannequins, a god made of graffiti—with moments of raw emotional weight. Kadrey and Khaw don’t waste time worldbuilding through exposition; instead, you learn the rules by stumbling through the wreckage, which keeps things exciting. That said, the middle sags slightly—two extended fight scenes back-to-back blur together, and the villain’s motivation feels undercooked compared to Julie’s rich inner mess. Still, the atmosphere alone sells it: this is New York at 3 a.m. when reality frays at the edges, and the soundscape production leans into that brilliantly. Perfect for fans of broken heroes and magic with consequences.