AUNT TIGRESS

Jen Zhao narrates an urban fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, First Nations traditions, and European folklore. The story is set in modern-day Canada. Tam has struggled with her dual human/tiger nature for years. Now that both her father and aunt are dead, an ancient power is chasing her. While Tam seems to be passive, Zhao's performance shows the wide range of emotions that lurk just under Tam's tightly controlled surface. A myriad of secondary characters-- human, inhuman, and supernatural--stretch Zhao's performance in ways that highlight the eeriness of Tam's adventures as she reconciles with her heritage. Zhao balances the introspective pacing required by the story-within-a-story structure of Tam's journey and the intensity of the horror elements. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]