OUT OF SALEM

Narrator Natasha Soudek expertly portrays an array of nonhuman teenagers who are trying to survive violent acts of discrimination in the small town of Salem, Oregon. She is pitch-perfect with the two protagonists, a zombie-witch named Z and a goth-like werewolf named Aysel. With unique inflections and textured intonations, Soudek also portrays a variety of teen antagonists who accomplish their goal to irritate others--including the listener. Even Soudek's third-person narration carries an indifference that matches the tone of this young adult story. In this world filled with vocal opinions on what is and is not acceptable, Soudek creatively draws listeners into Z's and Aysel's angst as outcasts searching for a little happiness. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2019]