Archangels of Funk

Climate change has reshaped the world into a landscape of flood refugees and roving militias, where water wars have left society fractured and desperate. Cinnamon Jones finds herself reluctantly stewarding a sci-fi carnival festival while grappling with threats from mysterious Darknet Lords and nostalgia militias who prey on the displaced. Surrounded by her loyal Circus-Bots, helpful dogs, and an eclectic community of Farmers and Motor Fairies, she struggles to honor the wisdom of her ancestors while protecting the vulnerable refugees who depend on her makeshift sanctuary.

January LaVoy delivers a masterful performance that brings Hairston's richly imagined post-climate world to vivid life through her nuanced character voices and rhythmic pacing. LaVoy expertly navigates the story's blend of Afrofuturist mythology, technological whimsy, and urgent social commentary, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the carnival atmosphere and community dynamics. Her narration captures both the playful energy of the circus elements and the underlying tension of a world in crisis, making this speculative fiction particularly powerful in audio format where the musical and performative aspects of Cinnamon's festival can truly resonate.