PALACE OF MIRRORS

Though disguised as a peasant girl, Cecilia's actually the true princess, who is hiding from the assassins who killed her parents. When Cecilia flees with her best friend, Harper, to the capital to claim the throne, she discovers that her decoy, Princess Desmia, has been told a different story. This plot-driven tale is engrossing, and Polly Lee does a good job with her main role, voicing Cecilia's thoughts and words. Lee’s other characterizations—from Nanny Gratine to Harper—are weaker. As she warbles her voice to become an old lady or deepens it to sound like a boy, Lee may irritate some listeners. Sometimes her voice takes on a wistful, keening quality that's hard on the ear. Still, listeners will be drawn in by her overall steady performance. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]