Review: My Lady Jane

The Fussy Stuff

Title: My Lady Jane

Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

Narrator: Katherine Kellgren

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Young Adult

Quick Take: A playful, character-driven reimagining of history with delightful magic, lively banter, and a quick-witted narrator who turns the whole thing into a performance.

My Take

I quite enjoyed this one, and this is one of those rare books I genuinely liked more because I listened instead of read. Yay for audiobooks!

The voice of the narrator in the story, and Katherine Kellgren’s narration itself, adds humor, timing, and a level of theatricality that makes everything feel bigger, funnier, and sharper. The banter, especially between Jane and pretty much everyone she encounters, lands artfully in audio. This isn’t just an audiobook that complements the text, it elevates it.

I’m not usually a historical-fiction reader. But I do love a clever retelling: fairy tales, Arthurian legends, anything that reframes a familiar story in a surprising way. Think Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Fairy Tale by Stephen King, or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This book hits that same sweet spot. It carries the tone and whimsy of a modernized legend, with characters who feel flawed, likable, messy, and fully human.

The pacing works well despite the length. I always wanted to keep going, and the story never dragged for me. The ending is satisfying without insisting on a perfect fairy-tale resolution, which felt exactly right for this kind of reimagining.

A slightly odd comparison, but the narrative voice reminded me of Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. This book is one of my all-time favorites, mostly because of how much I love the voice of Hoid and the extra impact and comedy his voice added to the story. In both books, the narrator’s voice becomes part of the charm, adding personality and presence, not just plot.

I’ll unquestionably be picking up the rest of the series. But I’ll be waiting until I can get them as audiobooks. This is one of those stories where the format genuinely matters.

Unfussed Verdict

If you enjoy humorous retellings, strong narrative voice, or audiobooks that feel like a full performance, this is an easy yes. Highly recommend choosing audio for this one.

Unfussed Homework (Optional, Obviously)

Think about the last book you listened to instead of read. Did the format change your experience? For better or worse? Should your next pick be audio, print, or whichever one feels the most fun right now?