Azarinth Healer, Book Five Audiobook – Azarinth Healer, Book 5

Sometimes, the only way to survive a gray, rainy Portland afternoon is to plug in an audiobook that’s pure chaotic energy—and Azarinth Healer, Book Five delivered just that. I started listening while prepping dinner (chopping veggies isn’t nearly as dull when you’re imagining Ilea uppercutting dungeon bosses between healing spells), and soon enough, I was hooked enough to let my tea go cold.

Rhaegar’s world has always been this gleeful collision of numbers-go-up satisfaction and tongue-in-cheek absurdity, but here it feels like both the stakes and the humor level up together. Our heroine Ilea—already notorious for healing by landing punches rather than laying on hands—finds herself taking on students: scrappy chaos kids desperate to learn her brand of battle-healing. There’s something almost heartwarming about her mentorship…if your idea of nurturing is “just walk into lava until you stop feeling pain.” It’s oddly inspiring (and hilarious) watching her accidently build a cult following just by being too stubborn and overpowered for anyone to ignore.

I’ll admit—I usually roll my eyes when power fantasies get too comfortable in their own formulas. But Book Five keeps everything fresh with its slice-of-life bootcamp vibes suddenly spinning into epic war politics. One moment we’re deep in resistance training montages (“block that spell with your face!” will never not crack me up); the next, kingdoms are toppling and shadowy factions are vying for influence because Ilea walked through their front doors uninvited. What truly surprised me was how seamless these transitions felt; Rhaegar knows exactly how much comedy or tension each chapter needs.

As someone who loves stories about reluctant leadership (I’m a former teacher myself!), I found Ilea’s growth from lone brawler to accidental mentor especially satisfying. Her refusal to take herself seriously makes her such an endearing protagonist—even as she becomes an unstoppable force shifting the fate of nations. There were times I actually laughed out loud—rare for audiobooks—with lines delivered so dryly they bordered on existential standup.

Travis Baldree is once again absolutely stellar behind the mic; he *is* this series’ secret weapon. His performance nails every beat: whether it’s stat announcements mid-battle (somehow both tense *and* comedic), deadpan one-liners (“Why use swords when you have elbows?”), or those rare moments where vulnerability flickers through all the bravado and banter. In group scenes with Sentinel trainees or high-stakes political confrontations, his pacing kept things propulsive without ever losing character nuance—a tricky feat given how quickly mood can shift from slapstick violence to genuine emotion.

If there was anything that didn’t land perfectly for me, it might be some occasional repetition inherent in LitRPG progression arcs—those familiar grind cycles—but even then, Rhaegar manages clever twists or unexpected reactions from side characters that keep monotony at bay. Plus, if you’re here after four previous books (like me), you know exactly what kind of fun insanity awaits.

Ultimately? Azarinth Healer 5 feels like a love letter to everyone who thinks healing should be less “gentle priest” and more “martial arts grandmaster.” It balances power fantasy thrills with genuinely funny writing—a rare combo—and sets up even bigger challenges ahead without ever sacrificing its irreverent spirit.

If you need something fast-paced but heartfelt, wild yet strategic, and bursting with found-family humor amid magical mayhem… queue this up immediately! You’ll finish ready to punch reality itself—or at least conquer your Monday commute—with a smile.