The moments where gets it right are few and far in between. The females aren't squeaky and Jesse handles them ok, but the lack of depth of his voice makes everything run together. The males characters are somewhat indistinguishable from each other. Everything is spoken clearly, but nearly emotion-less. Jesse doesn't have a good range of voices or inflection. But I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt. Eisenberg's voice is not the kind you would expect to narrate, which is why I was so surprised. I admit, that sometimes some things are better read than said. I bought it and I could barely get through it. He's an actor and I felt like he would definitely narrate very well. I had been further enthused when I saw Jesse Eisenberg would read it, even though he was an unexpected reader. I had been very pleased to see it on Audible after reading it. The world, it's settings, it's characters, and it's mystery. I read this book and adored everything about it. Great Story, Poor Narration - To Distraction Highly recommended if you like magic, gangsters, and con-artists. Jesse Eisenberg does a great job reading this - his performance is practiced nonchalance and low-key, so much so that you can't help wondering if he's just playing the odds and misdirecting your attention, making the magic feel all the more real and surprising. But at the same time, it's incredible fun listening as her story's long cons play out and are eventually revealed. Black's YA books have a dark, gritty feel to them, and this one's no different. When he finds himself about to take a walk off a rooftop in his sleep, he starts to think someone's playing him. He doesn't have the working talents his brothers do, but he knows cons. Cassel's a teenage kid who doesn't fit in at the rich preppy boarding school he's been forced to attend, and he doesn't quite fit in with his family of con artists - most of who work for the mob. So, naturally today - business is booming for the mafia and their curse workers. With White Cat, Holly Black's created a world where magic (or 'working') was outlawed during prohibition.

White cat by holly black