The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Scared to death of even a spider, Princess Aggie has always been content to exist quietly in her older sister's shadow. She has no desire for adventures like her sister Meryl. But when Meryl contracts the gray death, Aggie must choose between facing her own fears, or watching her beloved sister die. Lynn Redgrave's reading is wonderfully rich and textured. She creates individual voices that exemplify the main characters: Meryl, the adventurous, caring heroine; Aggie, the timid and na•ve sister; Rhys, the flamboyant yet kind sorcerer. Her portrayal of Vollys, the dragon, is exceptional; arrogant, lonely, he has a voice that drips honey with undertones of strength. A younger voice might have embodied Princess Aggie a little better, but one can find no fault in Redgrave's reading. This is a delightful fantasy, with all the elements of a grand adventure, read superbly by a gifted narrator. W.L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

April 1, 2003
"The author enters a world of high fantasy with this latest princess tale, peopled with sorcerers, elves and fairies, but plot twists win out over character development," wrote PW. Ages 10-up. (Apr.) .