BLOOD KIN

George Guidall expertly narrates this compelling Old West novel. While in Texas repelling the Mexican forces in the late 1830s, 16-year-old Isaac Webb falls in love and kills his first man. Guidall handles the various accents, ages, and genders of the colorful characters to perfection. He consistently differentiates the characters and switches pacing to fit the prose, capturing the cadence and nuances of the simple dialogue. Isaac matures, as does Texas, and he makes difficult choices, facing moral dilemmas as his empathy for the Comanches grows. Guidall's voice resonates with the tension of Isaac's dilemma and superbly reflects both the tragedy and the acts of humanity taking place in this slice of frontier life. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]