HARLEY IN THE SKY

Ali Ahn thoughtfully narrates this introspective coming-of-age story about the value and cost of chasing your dreams. Harley, the daughter of circus owners, wants nothing more than to become a trapeze artist. When her parents push her to attend college instead, she runs away to train with the star aerialist of a rival circus. Ahn sensitively portrays Harley's struggles with both manic phases and depression, letting the listener know through subtle changes in tone and expression how Harley is coping from day to day. Disreputable circus owner Simon Tarbottle is appropriately creepy, while mysterious love interest Vas has the perfect Russian-by-way-of-London accent. Listeners will be swept up into the detailed descriptions of circus life and have no trouble understanding Harley's bone-deep need to be there. N.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2020]