Audiobook review: Gray Tidings by Hailey Edwards
Rue is wrestling with fears that she’ll end up like her father or grandfather as she adjusts to her new role as the deputy director of the Black Hat Agency. The Director sends Rue to New Orleans to deal with a sea creature, and Rue’s worlds start to collide with her father also in town, and her human friends Amber and Camber vacation in the Big Easy.
Rue continues to mature as a gray witch, accepting a balance of light and dark within herself, but always questioning the source of her thoughts and motivation. Rue wants nothing to do with Black Hat, but over the course of this case, she starts to realize that she does care and may want to fix the system rather than let it all burn.
Her relationship with every character in the series is evolving. She and Asa have moved beyond flirting into a for-real, I-love-you relationship. I thought having sex meant they mated, but apparently, I misunderstood because they are still “in fascination.” I love how she’s allowing Colby to spread her wings, giving her more autonomy. I also love that Rue’s circle is growing with the introduction of two werewolves (Marita and Derry) in the previous book. They have a tie to her mother, which makes it all the more special. Rue is experiencing so many emotions and is learning how to translate these feelings and take action.
While I loved what the case came to be and the outcome of it all, I had issues with the storytelling. I’m not sure if it was me – did I keep missing things? Or if it was the writing, but I was confused a number of times throughout the case. Additionally, there is a huge reveal of sorts in the story, and while I’m glad it is out there, it was difficult to take. My heart hurt for all involved.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Rue. Ms. Richardson uses a strong, confident feminine voice for Rue/the narrator, which suits the character and storytelling. The narrator alters dialogue, giving characters a unique voice, suited to the age, gender, species, etc. Some voices are immediately identifiable, like that for Clay, whose voice is deeper, slower, and large, just like him. I also enjoy Colby, whose young voice sounds a bit cartoonish, which is perfect for the mythological friend. The narrator successfully portrays emotions and has created unique identities for the main characters. However, I find a few of the characters had voices that were very similar to the existing main characters, making it a bit confusing at times.
In the end, I enjoyed Gray Tidings and look forward to see what comes next for Rue and her friends.
My Ratings
Story: B+
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
Corpses are vanishing from New Orleans morgues, there’s talk of a sea monster in Lake Pontchartrain, and Hiram Nádasdy is turning the French Quarter upside down in search of a witch with the power to bring the dead back to life.
When the director assigns Rue the case, she suspects he’s sending her hunting all right. For her father, not the creature. Too bad she’s got her hands full with dueling covens, drunk revelers, and a whole lot of pool noodles. Oh. And it’s Mardi Gras. Of course it is. But as the locals say, laissez les bons temps rouler.
Author: Hailey Edwards
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Series: Black Hat Bureau #6
Genre: Urban Fantasy, mystery, romantic elements
Audiobook Release Date: February 14, 2023
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 8 hrs; 42 mins
Source: Tantor Audio
Audio Speed: 1.35x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)
Reviews in the Series:
Black Hat, White Witch by Hailey Edwards (Black Hat Bureau #1) – Audiobook Review
Black Arts, White Craft by Hailey Edwards (Black Hat Bureau #2) – Audiobook Review
Black Truth, White Lies by Hailey Edwards (Black Hat Bureau #3) – Audiobook Review
Black Wings, Gray Skies by Hailey Edwards (Black Hat Bureau #4) – Audiobook Review
Gray Witch by Hailey Edwards (Black Hat Bureau #5) – Audiobook Review