The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch

Gr 9 Up–Taylor’s “Windwitch” series starter transports listeners to the world of the fae. It’s a world where Magpie Windwitch, a devil-hunting faerie, and her band of crows ­explore the landscape and the magic it holds. After discovering that a devil of endless hunger has been released into the world, Magpie and her friends are determined to fight back despite staggering odds. Narrator McCarron’s voice is a perfect match for Magpie’s faerie world. It captures the whimsical delight of this fantasy tale and Maggie’s spirited, occasionally volatile, can-do spirit. McCarron voices multiple characters and the world’s dialect with flair and is equally adept at capturing the energy of thrilling ­action scenes, the relaxing, playful banter of friends, and the emotional blows Magpie absorbs. The narrative and the worldbuilding required to establish the fae realm demand patience from listeners, but the excellent narration will draw them in. ­