The Wolf vs the Warlock

I’ll admit, I went into *The Wolf vs the Warlock* expecting another by-the-numbers urban fantasy—boy, was I wrong. Hignett’s worldbuilding is *lived-in* in the best way: the magic isn’t just window dressing, it’s a messy, violent tool wielded by people who are equal parts clever and desperate. The plot kicks off with a corpse (because of *course* it does) and spirals into a mystery that’s equal parts noir and black comedy. The protagonist, a warlock with a chip on her shoulder and a talent for pissing people off, is the kind of flawed, sharp-tongued lead you can’t help but root for, even when she’s making terrible decisions. Now, let’s talk narration—Carrie Coello is *phenomenal*. She handles the rapid-fire dialogue like a pro, especially the banter, which could’ve felt stilted in lesser hands. Her pacing is spot-on, ratcheting up the tension during fight scenes and letting the darker moments breathe. My only critique? The sound mixing occasionally makes the male voices a touch *too* growly, bordering on caricature in a few spots. And while the humor lands 90% of the time, there’s a handful of jokes that feel like they’re trying *just* a little too hard. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar production. If you’re craving a thriller that’s as smart as it is vicious—with a narrator who could probably convince you to start a cult—this is your audiobook.