Magus Elgar

Listeners meet Magus Elgar; his apprentice, Udo; and the story's narrator in the middle of a noisy battle against another mage who has assumed the form of a dragon. The opening is a lot to take in and sort out at first, but it's worth the effort. The production is a rollicking tale, funny and action packed, with inventive wordplay and outstanding sound effects. Those effects frequently overwhelm the dialogue--better care with the sound mixing would help listeners track the action--but the effects are beautifully crafted, especially the many varieties of wet sounds. Overall, solid performances, good direction, clever writing, and inspired sound effects make this an enjoyable listen. D.L.Y. 2019 Audies Finalist � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine