The Isle of Blood

The second sequel to Yancey's 2010 Printz Honor Book, THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST, brings listeners back into the point of view of Will Henry, now 13, loyal assistant to aberrant biologist Dr. Pelinore Warthrop. Set in 1889, the novel has a darkly Victorian feel, casting the hunt for the most gruesome of monsters as a scientific quest. Steven Boyer is a master narrator. Although he uses accents sparingly, he captures listeners with his reading agility, even taking a comic turn as Will and his adult cohorts try to free Warthrop from a lunatic asylum. By making the challenging language perfectly clear in context, Boyer smoothes out what could be a bumpy ride. M.M.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Starred review from May 1, 2012
Gr 9 Up-The chronicle of Will Henry's apprenticeship with 19th-century monstrumologist Pellinore Warthrop continues with the pair's most dangerous and psychologically revealing adventure to date. The arrival of a grotesque and deadly package heralds a clue to the whereabouts of Typhoeus magnificum, the "Holy Grail of monstrumology." Warthrop's obsession with finding the Unseen One is all-consuming and neither he nor Will Henry will escape unscathed. Listeners are treated to another stellar performance from Steven Boyer who returns for the third installment (S & S, 2011) of Rick Yancey's riveting and gruesome series. His nuanced narration allows listeners to fully appreciate the fascinating and penetrating examination of monsters and men. Boyer deftly switches between distinct character voices, yet never allows them to overshadow the philosophical underpinnings of the narrative or the extraordinarily complex relationship between Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop that is at the heart of the series. Listeners will be completely absorbed by the tale as Yancey delves deep into the core of his characters and explores their fears, faults, trials, and triumphs. The next installment can't come soon enough.-"Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL"

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