Wanted

I’ll admit, I approached *Wanted* with skepticism—how many times can a ‘genius protagonist’ story surprise me? But Dahners flips the script by making Ell Donsaii’s intelligence a liability as often as an asset. This isn’t a book about solving puzzles; it’s about surviving the fallout of being *too* good at it. The plot kicks off with Ell already in the crosshairs, and the relentless momentum never lets up. Dahners excels at writing action that feels *earned*—Ell’s escapes aren’t just clever, they’re physically grueling, and the body horror of her mutation adds a layer of unease that lingers. Laura Bannister’s performance is the audiobook’s secret weapon. She nails Ell’s dry, analytical wit without making her sound robotic, and her delivery during fight scenes is *electric*—you can hear the adrenaline in her voice. That said, the production isn’t flawless. A few transitions between scenes feel abrupt, and there’s a minor sound inconsistency around the 3-hour mark where the audio levels dip noticeably (though it’s brief). My bigger critique? The villain’s motives, while compelling, occasionally veer into mustache-twirling territory. Still, the sheer *energy* of the narration and the fresh take on ‘superhuman’ tropes make this a standout. If you love sci-fi that’s equal parts cerebral and visceral—with a protagonist who’s as flawed as she is formidable—this is your next listen.