THE STOLEN PRINCE OF CLOUDBURST

This audiobook--full of heart, clever humor, and magical imagination--is a complete joy to escape into. Narrator Sarah Ovens exudes charm and vulnerability as 12-year-old Esther, a middle child attending boarding school with her sisters, who she believes are much more accomplished than she is. As portrayed by Ovens, Esther is quirky, quietly brave, and genuine as she contends with a bullying teacher who might actually be an ogre, a recurring nightmare, a mother who forgets about her, and constant attacks against her school by shadow mages, witches, fiends, and sterling silver foxes. Ovens is quite magical herself, a clear standout as she delivers shy Dot's teeny voice, librarian Carlos's singsong intonation, principal Hortense's sonorous tones, and the voices of many other students and teachers. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2021]