OF JADE AND DRAGONS Of Jade and Dragons, Book 1

Jen Zhao's narration of this silkpunk fantasy enhances the intriguing story. Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a master engineer like her father, but women are barred from the Engineer's Guild. After witnessing her father's assassination and receiving his journal, Ying sets out to avenge his murder. Disguised as a boy, she travels to the capital to take the guild's entrance exams. Throughout her journey, she befriends two princes who help her maintain her disguise. Zhao's pacing and inflections keep listeners engaged as Ying faces numerous challenges. Her animated descriptions of mechanical devices further enhance the world-building, making even the technical elements of the story captivating. Zhao's performance amplifies the drama and depth of this adventure. S.K.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]