THE BEAST PLAYER

Narrator Caitlin Kelly sensitively conveys the lush beauty of this award-winning fantasy novel, now available on audio for English-speaking listeners. Ten-year-old Elin's world is torn apart when her mother, a caretaker of giant war serpents, is executed for harming the animals in her charge. Elin escapes the aftermath of her mother's death and soon discovers her own talents for communing with animals. Kelly skillfully depicts Elin's deepening confidence as her powers mature, balancing her joy at connecting with the animals and her worry over their callous treatment. Kelly's unhurried pacing allows listeners to fully appreciate Uehashi's exquisite prose and lose themselves in her vivid storytelling and world-building. Commendably, Kelly employs authentic pronunciations and a cadence that pays homage to the story's Japanese roots. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2020]