MEDIA

The Rains

by Gregg HURWITZ
8 CDs. 9:30 hrs. Brilliance. Oct. 2016. $26.99. ISBN 9781501238505. digital download.
COPY ISBN
Gr 7 Up—Listeners will be grabbed almost immediately by this story of what happens to a quiet farming community when space debris brings something unexpected and downright scary. Chance Rain and his older brother Patrick discover that the fragments carry something that has infected everyone over the age of 18. Several nifty plot twists keep listeners on edge as the story unfolds, with the author narrating his work skillfully. The three teens barely get past one hurdle before another more daunting one pops up. Secondary characters are interesting, ranging from very likable to just short of nasty. Even the family pets, Rhodesian ridgebacks, have their moments. This is a dandy and gripping audio, with the author's innate understanding of pacing and emotion adding a bit extra to the narration.
VERDICT Because of the violence, this title is not for the squeamish or fainthearted, but fans of alien invasions and postapocalyptic and zombie tales will be delighted, albeit surprised and possibly frustrated by the unexpected ending. ["Refreshing and surprising and won't leave teens feeling as though they've traveled this path before. Recommended for all YA collections, especially where Jonathan Maberry's "Rot & Ruin" series is popular": SLJ 10/16 review of the Tor Teen book.]
Reviewed by John R. Clark, formerly at Hartland Public Library, ME , Mar 01, 2017

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