WILDWOOD DANCING

Clever use of motifs from THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES and THE FROG PRINCE propel this variation on vampire romance. For nine years five sisters have experienced happy secret visits to the fairy kingdom's dancing glade at full moon. With a youthful light-soprano voice, Kim Mai Guest perfectly captures the young teen Jena, the practical second eldest, as she tells the tale. The sweet high voices of the sisters contrast with the slight Transylvanian accents of the supporting characters, both human and fairy. Heavier accents suggest the evil of several players who threaten the girls' youthful innocence. Plot surprises keep listeners engaged through some longer emotional passages as Jena struggles to maintain her independence and keep her sisters safe until her beloved father returns. R.H.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2009]