April 25, 2016
In the first of Foster’s eight-book Spellsinger series, protagonist Jon-Tom, an average college student and aspiring musician, is unexpectedly brought to a fantastical world by a wizardly anthropomorphic turtle. He’s enlisted to help fight against even stranger beings, even though he’s only beginning to develop his skills as a wizard who cast spells through song. Foster’s novel makes perfect fodder for audiobook fans and illustrates how an audiobook can be better than the book. This full-cast production enhances the plot with numerous audio perks, including great audio talent, sound effects, and music. Director Terence Aselford drives the story, providing the omniscient narrator with a strong, deep voice. Gregory Linington captures the tone, attitude, and mood of Jon-Tom in every scene and is only slightly rivaled by James Konieck’s voice rendering of Falameezar, a Marxist dragon. Aselford also draws out strong performances from all of the actors involved as they take on a very colorful and eclectic characters. An Open Road paperback.