NICHOLAS ST. NORTH AND THE BATTLE OF THE NIGHTMARE KING

Gerard Doyle’s rich narration suspends time and disbelief as listeners enter the mythic world of Santoff Clausen, a land of dream. Doyle reads with the excitement of a child waiting for Christmas. He shepherds listeners into a wizard’s sanctuary, a place where moonbeams bear important messages, and a protective oak and bear live. Nicholas St. North, a bandit who will become Santa Claus, turns from swords to magic to defeat Pitch, the evil King of Nightmares, who has sworn to turn every child’s dreams dark. Doyle transforms fantastical creatures into convincing characters with performances that range from Pitch’s chilling coldness to the wizard’s calm kindness. Propelling young listeners through the nonstop action, Doyle captures St. North’s acts of daring and enchanted quests. S.W. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2011]