THE DROWNED WOODS

Narrator Moira Quirk captivates as Mererid, the last living water diviner in Gwaelod and a fugitive from the cruel Prince Garanhir. Despite her misgivings, Mer agrees to join her former handler in his quest to bring down the prince and claim a fabled treasure. Quirk’s mastery of the soft accent and challenging pronunciations makes this fantasy heist loosely based on Welsh folklore a treat. Mer’s brittle and sarcastic attitude masks a tender heart, which Quirk brings into her vocal performance with subtle skill. When Mer joins a peculiar band of adventurers—who range from a fairy-cursed fighter to a whiny nobleman and a willful princess of thieves—Quirk deftly renders them all in a variety of delightful tones and styles that suit their personalities and backgrounds. N.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2023 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]