cover image Winter

Winter

Marissa Meyer, read by Rebecca Soler. Macmillan Audio, , unabridged, 19 CDs, 23 hrs., $49.99 ISBN 978-1-4272-5824-3

The fourth and final installment in Meyer’s fairy tale–inspired SF series Lunar Chronicles finds Cinder plotting a revolution against the exquisitely evil Lunar Queen Levana. Readers meet Levana’s stepdaughter, Winter, whose debilitating visions are kept in check by Jacin, her beloved personal guard whom she is forbidden from marrying. Reader Soler is one of those magical voice actors who can create a seemingly endless supply of memorable voices. Here, she offers an appropriately sweet, fluttery Snow White–esque voice for Winter; a deliciously purring, cooing “popular mean girl” voice for Queen Levana; a French accent for Scarlet; a strong, manly hero’s voice for Jacin; and many, many more. Even background characters who appear for just a line or two get distinctive voices, such as an Australian-accented guest at the wedding banquet. Soler’s pacing is excellent, and she skillfully navigates listeners through Meyer’s 23-hour story. Ages 12–up. [em]A Feiwel and Friends hardcover. (Nov.) [/em]