SHADE'S CHILDREN

Complex, immersive science fiction needs narrators who can keep the stories clear for listeners. Here, Charles Carroll's level tone and steady, thoughtful pacing will definitely help listeners stay on top of the book's events and characters. "The Change" has come over the world, killing everyone over the age of 14. Those who are left are captured by alien overlords for deadly war games. A few young people have escaped, and fight back guerrilla style, led by an artificial intelligence known as Shade. Though Carroll's calm voice can hinder the urgency of the plot, he excels at portraying the subtle differences between the four young main characters and at enlivening the "archive" sections of the text: He actually makes listening to several pages of lists enjoyable! G.D. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2013]