Dragon's Oath

Set in early 19th-century England, this novella, which augments the popular House of Night series, finds troublesome teen Bryan "Dragon" Lankford exiled to America by his nobleman father. As his unwanted adventure begins, Lankford is magically chosen to become a powerful vampire and warrior. Along the way, he falls in love with a young vampire priest- ess, Anastasia, whom he vows to protect. Caitlin Davies's light, pleasant voice is well suited to the book's younger characters, but she lacks the range needed to adequately voice older ones. Listeners will find that many of the book's adults%E2%80%94 powerful, ancient beings%E2%80%94sound youthful and immature. Davies also does little to distinguish male and female voices or modulate inflection to dramatize changes in mood. Still, YA audiences will find the story light and appealing, and its narrator an equal match. A St. Martin's Griffin hardcover. (July)%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8