THE EMPIRE WARS The Empire Wars, Book 1

January LaVoy and Jesse Vilinsky narrate an absorbing fantasy about an annual hunt sponsored by a tyrannical government. Anyone the Allied Force considers an outsider is forced into a seven-day hunt, after which the family members of any participant killed are executed. Coa, who hopes to survive, holds a secret magical ability, rare among the dwindling population. She finds an ally in Ife, a princess from another nation who married into the Allied Force. LaVoy and Vilinsky bring Ife and Coa to life. Each imbues her character with a poignancy that commands the ear. Deep world-building and a story that touches on genocide, power abuse, and the importance of community are complemented beautifully by LaVoy and Vilinsky's skillful narrations. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2024]