SYLO

Living on peaceful Pemberwick Island, Maine, Tucker Pierce used to worry about football and girls. Now there’s a lot more to worry about as government SYLO soldiers quarantine the island and establish martial law, ostensibly to prevent a virus from spreading. Narrator Andrew Bates uses a conversational style to convincingly portray Tucker’s high school angst. Once the soldiers arrive, Bates’s narration reflects the book’s nonstop action without seeming rushed. As Tucker and his friends struggle to discover the government’s real motives, Bates reveals their confusion and fear with character voices that are unique and believable. Brisk pacing and a confident narration ensure that listeners will race through MacHale’s series opener. C.A. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2013]