THE SECRET OF LILLIAN VELVET Kingdoms and Empires, Book 5

Ten-year-old Lillian Velvet is an unusual Australian girl. She's lonely, homeschooled by her rigid grandmother, and has a very proper manner of speaking. Vivian Carter perfectly portrays Lillian; her every word and tone are filled with goodness and a desperation for emotional connection. On her tenth birthday, Lillian receives her first present, a jar of gold coins that shove her unexpectedly and seemingly randomly into magical adventures. Established fans of Jaclyn Moriarty will be happy to encounter characters from her other books as Lilian's adventures unfold. Carter's performance of Lillian's awakening joy and awe makes for heartwarming listening. Philip Bretherton performs alternating chapters in a mellifluous and authoritative tone. His character's role is not revealed until the end. A.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]