SHATTER THE SKY

Catherine Ho delivers an emotional performance of this queer young adult fantasy. Maren is an ordinary girl leading a quiet life when her girlfriend, Kaia, is taken by the Aurati. Now Maren will do whatever it takes to save Kaia, even steal a dragon. Ho's narration changes over time, beginning in a wispy timbre with a higher pitch and a relaxed pace. As Maren builds up her courage and risks her life, Ho transitions to a purer timbre, a tense tone, and a quicker pace. While Ho's female voices are well done and distinct, her male voices come off less naturally. Nonetheless, Ho pulls at the listener's heartstrings with her poignant narration. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2019]