BREATHE

Melissa Eccleston narrates gingerly--as if she and the characters of this book walk an indistinct line between reality and magic, order and chaos. In contrast, her character portrayals are solid. The heroine, Undine, who works to control her magical powers, visits her father, Prospero, in Corfu. Both have strong voices that represent their strong wills. Trout, Undine's best friend, has a questioning tone, which is perfect as he's uncertain about almost everything--from his burgeoning feelings of sexuality to his observations of the universe. The beautiful Max has a dual personality as she flirts with Trout and, more dangerously, courts Magic. A listener favorite might be Eccleston's cameo of Undine's eccentric, squeaky-voiced 3-year-old brother. S.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]