The Sorceress

Paul Boehmer narrates a complicated contemporary fantasy with crisp precision. Despite a large cast of characters, this third story of Sophie and Josh's partnership with Nicholas Flamel against dark forces is easy to follow. Indeed, Boehmer's strength is his rich repertoire of characterizations and accents, ranging from the calculating John Dee to the reedy-voiced ghosts of Alcatraz. However, Boehmer struggles to give direction to a long, action-packed text that is decidedly nonlinear. This adventure-driven story would benefit from a quicker, more dramatic narration, even though Boehmer's calm style lends itself to clarity. Greater animation in the recording would make us connect more with the characters and their epic dilemma. Still, this skillful, if dry, audio will please listeners of the previous two titles. C.A. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine