LIES ON THE SERPENT'S TONGUE

Julie Webster narrates the companion to BITTERSWEET IN THE HOLLOW. A previously minor character, Rowan James, a teen who can smell lies on people's breath, tells this story. Webster's soft Southern accent reflects the Appalachian setting, and she deftly communicates Rowan's sarcasm. Also strong is Rowan's distrust of Hadrian, the family's farm worker. Webster captures Rowan's rage, which is reduced by working in the woods for the U.S. Forest Service. There, Webster's narration allows the lyricism of this novel to shine as listeners come to understand that magical forces are operating against the very real threats of poachers. Webster marvelously blends the fantastical and the real in this audiobook. S.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2025]