POISON

In the Realm of Phaerie, no one can be trusted--not creatures like Murk or the white-cowled coachman and certainly not the Spider Lady. Narrator Virginia Leishman takes listeners by the hand and expertly follows the quest of 16-year-old violet-eyed Poison, who leaves the squalid life of the "black marshes" to find her baby sister, who has been stolen from her crib. Two eccentric old men, a bobble-headed girl, and a mysterious cat join Poison to match wits with a variety of creatures. Each character is wonderfully drawn and portrayed, and Leishman nicely captures the subtext of independence and challenge that makes this appeal to teens. Vivid descriptions of colors and atmosphere are Leishman's forte, and POISON is a showcase of her talents. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]