From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6 - Abby and Spike are the only children living in the small English village of Speller when they encounter a mysterious sea captain. Captain Starlight tells them fantastic stories about sea witches and magical boats and ice dust - the source of all magical power. So begins the first book in a fantasy series by British author Michael Molloy. "First we're going to tell your Uncle Ben and Aunt Lucy that we're off on a trip. Then we're going to London to steal the map. Then we're going to Antarctica to rescue your parents" the Captain says. The trio first journey to London where they receive help from the light witches. Then it's on to Antarctica where they hope to free Abby's parents, rescue the lost children of Speller, and liberate the magical ice dust from the evil night witches. The story is beautifully narrated by Bill Wallis, who moves easily between British and American accents and nicely distinguishes between the children and adult characters. Unfortunately, Abby and Spike are given little to do in this very busy novel except ask questions and meet an endless succession of adults who solve their problems for them. Only die-hard fantasy lovers will muddle through the complicated plot to reach its satisfying conclusion. -
Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
Incomparable narrator Bill Wallis plus Michael Molloy's delightful adventure-fantasy about White Witches, Black Witches, Sea Witches, and some very smart, brave children equals an audiobook that one wishes would last forever. It's also a children's audio that adults will want to borrow for their own pleasure. This is a story about how Abby Clover and her friend Spike, who live in an unusual seaside village, meet Captain Starlight (a.k.a. The Ancient Mariner) and a giant albatross named Benbow, and how they all set out to save the Light Witches' ice dust and rescue the Sea Witches' children from the truly awful (and smelly) Black Witches. Wallis masters every voice, from that of the American Ancient Mariner to the dramatically British Master of the Light Witches. He also manages to make the children sound authentic and fully realized without being squeaky. In between, his warm, well-paced narration ushers us through the cliff-hanging adventure with nary a moment of panic. A book to treasure. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio Cassette
edition.
