Nightfall

Gr 5–8—For the 14 years of Day (their whole lives) twins Marin and Kana have known that 14 years of Night will follow. With a short time remaining until Nightfall, their small coastal town is packing for their one chance to leave for the Desert Lands with impatient furriers, whose boats will not wait. Unfortunately, Marin, Kana, and their friend Line are left behind, and within hours, Night has fully arrived. Moonlight and torches light their way, and Kana's eyes (so ineffective in sunlight) do well in the dark. The village was aware of cryptic warnings and odd rituals that accompanied Night, but Marin, Kana, and Line soon encounter the dark-adapted creatures those warnings reference. Marin, Kana, and Line are likable and have an adventurous week or so, which will be enough for some listeners, but this world seems quickly built, with some logical inconsistencies. Some readers may be disappointed there is no exploration of what 14 years without sunlight might be like. Nicholas Guy Smith is an excellent narrator. The story benefits in every way from his smooth and professional delivery.