You Are Summoned 6

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—*film critic cats*? But Henegar makes it work by grounding the absurdity in Rico’s relatable, long-suffering perspective. The man’s just trying to live his life, and the universe keeps handing him quests that range from ‘teach a class at magic academy (while underqualified)’ to ‘defend a fast-food joint from eldritch horrors.’ The humor lands because it’s *specific*: the cats aren’t just snarky; they have *aesthetic preferences* and will roast Rico’s life decisions with the precision of a New Yorker critic. That said, the middle act drags slightly when the plot detours into academy politics—it’s funny, but the energy dips compared to the breakneck opening. Eric Jason Martin’s performance is a masterclass in comedic timing. He nails Rico’s weary resignation, the cats’ pretentious drawls, and even the background characters’ quirks (the burger joint’s manager, voiced with the enthusiasm of a man two espressos deep, is a standout). The production is clean, though a few sound effects—like the cats’ dramatic *paws on keyboard* typing—might feel over-the-top for some. Still, the audiobook’s strength is its *tone*: it’s silly but never stupid, heartfelt but never sappy. If you love fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers on character and worldbuilding, this is a summoning worth answering. Just be warned: you’ll never look at a drive-thru the same way again.