THE ASTONISHING CHRONICLES OF OSCAR FROM ELSEWHERE Kingdoms and Empires, Book 4

Dorje Swallow and Rebecca Norfolk alternate narrating duties in this fantasy quest. Six children and an elf search for the pieces of a key that are needed to save an Elven village from destruction. Oscar is a skateboarding teenager who finds himself sucked into this alternative world. In Swallow's hands, Oscar is a laid-back Australian with dashes of wry humor and charm. Norfolk's Imogen is full of moxie and banter as she shepherds her younger magical sisters, a cousin, and a family friend. Both narrators have fun with other characters--tiny elf Gruffudd squeaks and demands food; pirate-turned-prince Alejandro is unflappable and practical from years at sea. The journey matters more than the destination, and it is the expressive and charming narrators who elevate it to a lovely magical carpet ride. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]