SILVERWING

This absorbing tale mixes scientific detail (explaining echo-location and bug-catching from a bat's perspective) with the world of fantasy (creatures can speak, and a war is brewing between the owl and bat kingdoms). SILVERWING also depicts the sometimes brutal reality of a wild world in which creatures may die of cold or be eaten by one another, and is better suited to older children or those listening with an adult. But adults and young listeners alike will appreciate John McDonough's outstanding narration, which creates great depth of character in the main cast while managing to distinguish the story's many "extras." McDonough makes the hours of listening fly. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]