Simon Bloom, The Octopus Effect

Nicholas Hormann narrates Simon Bloom's third fantastical adventure as the 12-year-old explores the Order of Biology, an undersea world of strange creatures. Hormann meets the challenge of a large cast of characters and multiple settings with an abundance of accents that differentiate and add color. He characterizes the story's omniscient narrator with crisp British enunciation that matches his detached view and depicts a sea creature with gurgles. He portrays the passionate director of the underwater realm with drama. When Simon and friends are enriched with octopus DNA, they develop special powers that are especially helpful when they confront their archenemy, Sirabetta. Hormann embraces the story's inventive spirit, leading listeners through adventure and intrigue. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine