ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND

Here is an unusually rich work of young adult science fiction, with a mature message, believable characters and conflicts, and a satisfying ending. Briefly, the line between computer game-space and real space-time blurs for the 12-year-old boy protagonist, who must then treat the digital aliens as real...er...people. Like all Pratchett novels, this is loaded with pointed, good-natured humor. Richard Mitchley reads with the effortless ease of the veteran audiobook narrator, aptly capturing each character with pacing, intonation, speed and accents, the latter always British but not always from the same social class. No enhancements, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. D.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 98]