DAMSEL

From the start, Elizabeth Knowelden's haunting narration gives listeners a sense of unease as Ama--a prophesied damsel--wakes up in the arms of Prince Emory, who has rescued her from the dragon's lair. What should be a happy ending is just the beginning of a quiet revolution. Knowelden's voice is soft as air; her pitch ebbs and flows in a way that wonderfully mirrors the damsel's hesitation to question her existence and her burst of bravery as she fights to find her own place--and truth--in Prince Emory's kingdom. Knowelden expertly captures the swaggering confidence and duplicitous charm of Prince Emory. Her moderate pace allows listeners to absorb the rich symbolism and allegory in this twisted fairy tale. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2018]