WITCH & WIZARD

Brother and sister Whit and Wisty, accused of being a wizard and a witch, are sentenced to death by the New Order, the oppressive regime that has taken over the country. Elijah Wood and Spencer Locke give authentic voices to the siblings, who alternately narrate this suspenseful adventure. They superbly communicate the teens' closeness and streetwise ways of dealing with the terrors they face. In particular, they vary their tempo to provide the appropriate intensity for this fast-paced story. The occasional brief musical interludes and use of sound effects contribute to the menacing atmosphere. Teens who listen to this dystopian novel will most likely forgive the preachy bit at the end and eagerly await the next in the series. C.R.A. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2010]