THERE IS A DOOR IN THIS DARKNESS

Kristin Cashore, known for creating fantastical worlds, takes listeners into a very real 2020. Jorjeana Marie makes it even more authentic by depicting the many emotions of young Wilhelmina Hart, as well those of minor characters. Marie's portrayals anchor listeners as the story moves back and forth in time between Wilhelmina's childhood with three vividly described aunts and her present-day woes: the pandemic, election fears, and the shifting friendships of teens. Cashore's slow-paced writing style reflects the painful sluggishness of the pandemic time period and its atmosphere of grief. Marie explores Wilhelmina's relationship with her beloved Aunt Frankie, honoring the author's precise prose. In an upbeat author's note, Cashore compares her own experience to Wilhelmina's, leaving listeners room to explore the characters and story anew. S.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2024]