Title: The Antidote
Author: Susan McCormick
Narrator: Andrew Tell
Genre: Action and Adventure, Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Book Blurb:
Kirkus Reviews says: "Impressively timely and resonant. A high-stakes and exciting tale of good versus evil that thoughtfully reflects on modern maladies."
Foreword Reviews calls The Antidote "a thrilling and informative adventure story with a fascinating villain".
Can a curse become a gift?
Twelve-year-old Alex Revelstoke is different. He can see disease. Also injury, illness, and anything else wrong with the body. This comes in handy when a classmate chokes on a hot dog or when the janitor suffers a heart attack unclogging a gooey science experiment gone awry. But Alex soon learns his new ability puts him and an unsuspecting world in peril.
Throughout time, Revelstokes have waged a battle against ancient evil itself. A man, a being, an essence - the creator of disease. Alex has seen its darkness. He has felt its strength. He does not want to fight. But Alex is the last Revelstoke. The war has just begun.
With her unique perspective as a doctor, mother, and writer, McCormick combines her knowledge of medicine and her storytelling skills to craft a one-of-a-kind adventure about disease, darkness, and deception - one listeners won't be able to put down.
My Review:
Summary –
You don’t have to tell twelve-year-old Alex Revelstoke he’s different. Classmates shun him and he’s bullied relentlessly. No, Alex doesn’t see dead people. Alex’s gift is the ability to see illness, disease, injuries, and more in other people. It can come in handy sometimes but most of the time it leads t0 disbelief and ridicule. He tries to act normal but soon learns he comes from a long line of Revelstokes who have the same power as him, and he’s being hunted. Alex is the last Revelstoke and an ancient evil is determined to snuff him out. In a fight for survival, will Alex embrace his heritage and defeat the dark entity, or will he crumble under the burden?
Narrator’s overall voice –
Andrew Tell has a good voice for narrating. His voice has a clear tone.
Does the narrator fit the characters?
Yes, Andrew Tell fits the characters, especially young Alex.
Narrator’s reading style –
Andrew Tell’s reading style is hard to describe. His evenness while narrating wasn’t what I was expecting but it fit the audience of this story.
Narrator’s impact on reading experience –
Andrew Tell’s impact is huge. Instead of the characters coming to life, it’s more like someone is telling you what happened.
Narrator’s pacing –
The pacing threw me a bit as the narrator reads slowly, enunciating every word. Maybe he thought this would be better for middle-grade children, the target audience. I found it took me a while to get into the story.
Audiobook flow –
The flow of the audiobook is continuous, and a lot of the credit goes to the author, Susan McCormick.
What makes this audiobook unique –
I think the subject matter is what makes this audiobook unique. Susan McCormick integrates STEM and medical terms throughout the story. Not only is it highly educational but fascinating as well.
Would I recommend this audiobook –
Yes, I would. A smooth narration along with an intricate action and adventure tale makes this a wonderful middle-grade story. The whole family will enjoy listening to this, whether it is on a road trip or sitting around the fireplace.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Susan McCormick is a writer and doctor who lives in Seattle. She graduated from Smith College and George Washington University School of Medicine and served as a doctor for nine years in the US Army before moving to the Pacific Northwest and civilian practice. In addition to The Antidote, she writes The Fog Ladies cozy murder mystery series. She also wrote Granny Can’t Remember Me, a lighthearted picture book about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. She is married with two boys, neither of whom have any special powers. She loves giant dogs and has had St. Bernards, a Mastiff, Earl, and two Newfoundlands, Edward and Albert. None of them had any special powers, either, except the ability to shake drool onto the ceiling. Visit her at https://susanmccormickbooks.com
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N