VASSA IN THE NIGHT

Narrator Madeleine Maby's performance never waivers throughout this audiobook for teens. Magic appears in many forms in this Russian folktale turned modern-day horror story. Maby maintains credibility and consistency throughout the many characters that populate the story, clearly distinguishing who or what creature is speaking. Especially well done are the two "lawyers," Picnic and Pangolin. Maby's renditions of these two make them pop to life so that listeners believe in their vitality. Despite the gore and horror of parts of the tale, one hears an underlying sadness steeped in hope that somehow Vassa, the heroine, can make it all right again. Maby's presentation succeeds in fueling that hope. E.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2017]