Book description
A Dark and Hollow Star Review
Ashley Shuttleworth delivers a refreshing urban fantasy that breathes new life into the faerie genre. Set against the backdrop of Toronto's magical underworld, this audiobook follows four distinct narrators whose voices blend seamlessly in the audio format.
The story's strength lies in its character-driven approach. Each protagonist brings unique perspective and motivation to the investigation of ritualistic murders threatening to expose faerie existence to humans. Shuttleworth's background in English Literature and classical history enriches the world-building, creating a mythology that feels both familiar and innovative.
What sets this debut apart is its unapologetic queerness and the authentic way each character's identity integrates naturally into the plot rather than serving as mere tokenism. The audio format particularly benefits from the distinct vocal performances that help differentiate between the multiple POVs.
The pacing maintains tension throughout, balancing mystery elements with political intrigue between the Eight Courts of Folk and the brewing war between mortal and immortal realms. While the premise initially echoes works like The Cruel Prince and City of Bones, Shuttleworth's voice emerges distinctly through sharp dialogue and morally complex characters who operate in compelling gray areas.
The audiobook's production quality supports the narrative well, with sound design that enhances rather than overwhelms the listening experience. This is urban fantasy that respects its audience's intelligence while delivering the escapism fans of the genre crave.
A promising start to what appears will be an engaging series.
Lightweight
ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. I'm impressed by the app's performance β it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts.
Snapple Whistler
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« 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
Bowler
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Murder Cherry
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Black Walnut
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
Twin Blaze
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Twitch
Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Rocky Highway
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Spooky Electric
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of β now they're my favorites! Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend.
DragonBlood
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Emerald Vine
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Highway
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ°
Shwatson
With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Acid Gosling
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
ChatterChampion
This app is a true gift for book lovers β it's like having a personal library wherever I go. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Impulse
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
QuantumQuill
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature.
Willow Dragon
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
Howitzer Rise
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Santa's Little Helper
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
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