What would you do if everyone around you could be controlled by someone else—and you're the only one who can't? That's the question Cricket faces in this book, and honestly? It hit different while I was sitting in my car in the garage, avoiding going inside where Sophie was definitely about to wake up from her nap early.
My kids got me into Wings of Fire. Emma started reading them last year, and Lucas loves the audiobooks during quiet time (ha, "quiet" time). So here I am, a grown woman deeply invested in dragon politics. No regrets.
Cricket Is the Kid Who Asks Why (And I Love Her For It)
Cricket is basically what happens when you give a curious kid zero answers and expect them to just... accept it. Why are trees forbidden? Why does Queen Wasp control everyone's minds? Why is she immune? She's the kid who won't stop asking questions at bedtime, except her questions could get her killed.
The whole premise—a young dragon hiding the fact that she can't be mind-controlled while everyone else becomes a puppet—is genuinely creepy in a kid-appropriate way. When Queen Wasp takes over the HiveWings, Shannon McManus does this robotic, echoey voice thing that made me actually shiver. Picture dozens of dragons all speaking in perfect sync, same words, same tone. Sophie would probably find it hilarious. I found it unsettling in the best way.
The fugitive crew—Cricket, Blue, Swordtail, and the fierce LeafWing Sundew—are on the run with a stolen book and zero plan. Classic. The pacing works perfectly for interrupted listening. I paused this thing probably 30 times over the week (Lucas needed a snack, Sophie threw her sippy cup, Emma couldn't find her shoes) and never once felt lost when I came back.
McManus Does Dragons Like Nobody Else
Shannon McManus has been narrating this series forever, and you can tell she knows these characters inside and out. She brings that same lived-in familiarity to Darkstalker (Wings of Fire: Legends), which is honestly where I fell hardest for what she does with this world. Her Cricket sounds young and curious without being annoying—which, trust me, is hard to pull off. The emotional moments land. When Cricket is scared, you feel it. When she's determined, you believe it.
That said—and I say this with love—some characters sound... identical. Apparently Sundew and Cricket share a voice? And some other pairs throughout the series? My kids haven't noticed, but I did. It's not a dealbreaker, especially since the mind-control voices are SO distinct and creepy. But if you're new to the series, you might need a minute to figure out who's talking in group scenes.
The robotic HiveWing effect though? Chef's kiss. It's the kind of audio detail that makes you glad you're listening instead of reading. Emma asked me to do the voice at dinner and I tried. I failed. McManus makes it look easy.
Perfect Car Time Material
At just under 7 hours, this is exactly the right length for a busy week. I finished it during school drop-offs, one blessed two-hour nap, and yes, my sacred car-sitting time. It's engaging enough that you want to keep listening but not so complex that you need a character chart.
The violence is there—it's a war story with dragons—but it's age-appropriate. My 7-year-old has read the book version and she's fine. The audiobook doesn't amp up the intensity beyond what's on the page.
One thing I really appreciated: Cricket's journey is about finding your own power when you feel powerless. She can't control minds. She can't fight like Sundew. But she's smart and curious and refuses to give up. That's a message I can get behind, especially for my kids. Especially for me, some days.
Who's Going to Love This (And Who Should Skip)
If your kids are already Wings of Fire fans, this is a no-brainer. If YOU'VE gotten sucked into the series (solidarity), this one delivers. Cricket is a fantastic protagonist, the mystery of Queen Wasp's power is genuinely compelling, and the audio production with those mind-control effects adds something you don't get from the page.
Skip it if you haven't read any Wings of Fire books. This is book 12 and also book 2 of a sub-arc—you'll be lost. Start at the beginning.
Seriously, Hidden Kingdom (Wings of Fire #3) is a great early entry point—McManus is already fully in her groove there and it's where Emma first got completely hooked.Car Time Approved, Mom Tested
I finished this book during nap time. High praise. It's not going to change your life or make you ugly-cry at pickup (thank goodness), but it's exactly what it needs to be: a solid, engaging adventure with a great protagonist and a narrator who knows what she's doing. Sometimes you don't need groundbreaking. Sometimes you need dragons and a mystery and seven hours of peace.
Now if you'll excuse me, Lucas wants to know why Queen Wasp is "so mean" and I have approximately 400 questions to answer before dinner.
