Narrator Janina Edwards's compelling tone draws listeners into Wilson's searing narrative as a family reckons with a supernatural legacy. Chilling events and mythology are interspersed with descriptions of historical events and the editorial commentary of a father reading from his work in progress. As Easter and her family wield old magic against sinister forces, these elements illustrate how the evils of this story persevere into today's world. Immersive world-building heightens skilled characterizations of Easter's loving, courageous family and friends, the fervently whispering Angels, and the slippery, unyielding Devil. Edwards's pacing and precision with Wilson's imagery drive the narrative forward; captivating dialogue urges listeners through the mounting danger. A stark and enduring listen, well told and unforgettable. K.S.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
We’ve devoted a great deal of time and energy thinking about this year’s Nebula Awards, but even after reading all six of the best novel nominees and handicapping them based on a combination of merit, voting trends, and gut feeling, we still managed to walk away from Saturday’s awards presentation surprised.
Clearly no one told Kai Ashante Wilson, who won acclaim last year for the inventive novella The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps, how to write epic fantasy. Here he is, publishing a sequel, and it’s another slim volume (where is your doorstopper page count?), starring a completely new cast, embracing a vivid range of themes—gender, race, sexuality—with nary […]