Book description
A Canticle of Two Souls Delivers Dark Fantasy with Heart
Steven Raaymakers' debut audiobook in The Aria of Steel Trilogy wastes no time establishing itself as a compelling entry in character-driven fantasy. The story follows Raziel, a young man bent on revenge after witnessing his family's murder, and Alicia, a mysterious girl with dangerous empathic powers. Together, they navigate a harsh world filled with supernatural threats and moral ambiguity.
The audiobook format serves Raaymakers' intense narrative well. Listeners are immediately drawn into Raziel's quest for vengeance, which begins when he accepts a sentient demon-forged sword's promise of the emperor's head. What follows is an epic journey through treacherous territory populated by banshees and mercenaries.
Reviews consistently praise the author's ability to balance fast-paced action with deep character development. One Goodreads reviewer called it "moving, intensely emotional, darkly violent," while another noted it's "a quick and fast-paced read that is very character-focused with just enough world-building." An Amazon reviewer went so far as to say they "genuinely can't recommend it enough."
The relationship between Raziel and Alicia forms the emotional core of the story. Both characters carry dark pasts and harbor revenge-driven motivations, creating natural tension as they're forced to travel together. Alicia's terrible magic allows her to bend others to her will, adding another layer of complexity to their dynamic.
Raaymakers, an award-winning New Zealand author known for dark themes and unique magic systems, brings his experience as both reader and writer to this audio production. His background in fantasy literature and gaming clearly influences the story's heavy-metal aesthetic and brutal honesty.
The audiobook succeeds in delivering what reviewers describe as a "heavy-metal power ballad of clashing blades, blood-soaked betrayal, and sweet revenge." For fans of character-driven fantasy with mature themes, this opening installment promises an engaging trilogy worth experiencing through its audio format.
Stud
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Tornado Maker
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Paris Boost
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StarZen
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Suicide Jockey
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Mad Irishman
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Kitchen
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Moonflower
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Killer Curio
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Abiss
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High Deck
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Gunhawk
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment.
Pixie Soldier
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Kimono Goddess
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Saint La-Z-Boy
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Toy Dogwatch
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Blinker
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Brick Mooch
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Voluntary
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Roller Turtle
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience