CLEVER CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Ana Osorio narrates with youthful wonder and gentle breathiness, adding to the atmospheric quality of this young adult horror story. When Case arrives at her friend Drea's house in rural Texas after receiving an invitation, she meets strange and unhelpful housemates--and Drea is nowhere to be found. Osorio's voice shifts to a tone of anxiety as Case gradually realizes that something bad has happened. Osorio effectively differentiates characters and speaks brief phrases in Spanish clearly. Her careful pacing is particularly notable for its ability to smoothly shift from slow-building atmospheric moments to fast-paced emotional intensity as the truth about what has happened comes to light. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]