FREEDOM'S CHALLENGE

Science-fiction and fantasy writer Anne McCaffrey is as prolific and skilled as they come. This series, on the science fiction side, involves a race of evil symbiotes who enslave or destroy the inhabited planets they encounter. Several of the enslaved races are beginning to rebel, including humans. Two readers are employed here, one for female characters and one for male. Dick Hill handles the men fairly well, with sharp distinctions of accent and tone. Susie Breck does less well with the women; she is also the overall reader, and her "Chuck said" and "Zainal replied" make the reading sound choppy. D.R.W. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]