MONKEY The Five Ancestors, Book 2

MONKEY is the second volume in Stone's Five Ancestors kung fu saga of medieval China. When their grandmaster is killed, five young monks, including Malao, escape and try to carry out his wishes. Narrator Kiki Barrera's youthful voice projects the dedication of the boys as they meet multiple challenges. Malao is similar to a monkey-he uses trees to hide in and travels by stealth. The story is violent and graphic, with ancient words and pronunciations incongruously interspersed with too many modern words and concepts. However, most boys will enjoy the martial arts details, the captain entering battle on a sedan chair, and the young monks themselves as activists and heroes. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]