The Search for the Red Dragon

James Langton gives a polished performance of this sequel to HERE THERE BE DRAGONS. In Book 2, John, Charles, and Jack return to the imaginary worlds of the Archipelago. With Langton in command, it's easy to keep track of numerous cameo appearances, among them Peter Pan and James Barrie. However, even Langton's majestic reading can't make a cohesive story out of this hodgepodge of mythological characters and plots. Much of the action occurs offstage, slowing down the story's pace. And while Langton does a superb job with the dialogue, one wonders if a livelier delivery of the narrative would help save this wordy novel. The action picks up toward the end, but even Langton's valiant oratory can't entirely redeem this ponderous audiobook. C.A. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine