NOCTURNA

Kyla Garcia narrates this colorful Latinx-inspired fantasy. Finn, a face-shifting thief, isn't afraid to take risks to get what she needs. Reluctant prince Alfehr is still reeling from the sudden death of his older brother. They must join forces to defeat the powerful dark magic that was just accidentally unleashed in the kingdom of Castellan, overcoming their own demons to do so. Garcia does an excellent job narrating the world-building and magic, and she delivers the Spanish words throughout with expertise. However, her depictions of the main characters are too soft for the intense emotions they experience. It's difficult to empathize with their struggles when the tone of the narration is so relaxed. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2019]