Gateway to Fourline

Gr 7 Up—Natalie is trying to finish college, and the situation at home is dire. Her dad is hurt, and her mom tries to balance a job with the extra stress of managing the family farm. Desperate to earn a higher wage, Natalie finds a job in a downtown costume shop owned by the family of a strange classmate, Estos. After she goes through a mysterious door and sees things she shouldn't, the family make her an offer she can't refuse. They need her to learn how to fight and use herbal medicine so she can enter their world and defuse a magical tracking device, allowing them to return safely and regain the throne. They dangle an enormous sum of money in front of her, and she agrees to enter their world as a test. After Natalie comes back safely, they offer more money if she'll return disguised as a Sister from an old warrior house and sabotage the device. Once there, she must avoid detection by blue creatures called Nala who have allied with those wanting to kill the rightful heirs. During her journey, she falls for her companion, Soris. When tragedy strikes, Natalie has to make a choice. Narrator Lauren Ezzo's voicing and pacing are very good, helping listeners to keep track of the plethora of unusual names.