HIGHER MAGIC

Sophie Amoss's narration elevates an uneven story into a more engaging experience. Struggling graduate student Dorothe Bartleby must pass her final exam in the Magic program, but when she's required to combine digital technology with spells, disaster results. Amoss's performance brings clarity and rhythm to the text, grounding its twee and meandering tone with precise pacing and emotional restraint. Amoss distinguishes each character with subtle vocal shifts that make the cast easy to follow. Her portrayal of Dorothe--a heroine whose inner monologue risks overwhelming the listener--is especially nuanced, adding warmth and dimension that the writing itself sometimes lacks. While the story's structure can be repetitive, Amoss's consistent energy and interpretive intelligence give the audiobook coherence and humanity. K.C. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]