A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS

Jeff Woodman expertly ushers listeners into the fourth audio he’s narrated about Attolia, a classical-based fantasy world. Woodman’s glib reading of details and his facility with language patterns establish a strong sense of place that welcomes new and returning listeners. Woodman’s precise delivery and emphasis on allusions match the bookish personality of the first-person narrator, Sophos, the prince of Sounis, who is bent on reading poetry rather than acquiring the political savvy needed to lead a country. When the security of his home is breached, Woodman conveys the complexity of Sophos’s character. He must draw on his intellect to surmount his uncertainty and muster the strength to face life as a slave, soldier, and finally a king. S.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2010]