Book description
Forget everything you thought you knew about Hogwarts. Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education isn't a school for the magically gifted-it's a high-stakes survival camp where the curriculum is literally written in blood. Set at the Scholomance, where failure means actual death (no retakes, no pass/fail, just a one-way ticket to the afterlife), this book is less Harry Potter and more Lord of the Flies with better wands and a protagonist who'd rather you died than had to share a library table with you. El, our delightfully cynical heroine, isn't here for your platitudes. She's here to survive, and her greatest weapon? A power so devastating it could erase the entire student body with a sneeze. (Spoiler: She's terrified of using it.)
The genius of Novik's worldbuilding lies in its brutal, darkly funny logic. The Scholomance operates on rules so basic they'd make a toddler scoff: Don't walk alone. Don't trust anyone. And for the love of magic, don't accidentally genocide your classmates. There are no teachers, no holidays, and friendships are strictly transactional-like a high-stakes game of Don't Get Eaten By the Monster You Just Made Friends With. El's isolation isn't just plot armor; it's the only sensible strategy when your greatest asset is a magic that could level a city block. And let's be real: if you're spending your days dodging sentient hallway shadows and calculating whether a new classmate is worth the risk of getting eaten, "social anxiety" is the least of your problems.
What elevates this beyond a clever premise is the audiobook delivery. El's voice-sharp, sarcastic, and utterly exhausted-isn't just narrated; it's lived. You hear the exhaustion in her sigh when she realizes another "strategic alliance" just got her chased by a griffin. You feel the tension as she weighs whether to unleash her power, knowing the cost isn't just her life-it's everyone else's. The narrator nails her voice perfectly: a mix of teenage snark and the quiet terror of someone who's seen too many classmates turn into monster snacks. It's like having a brutally honest, slightly unhinged best friend whispering survival tips while the walls try to eat you.
And the humor? It's the kind that cuts. Novik skewers every clichΓ© of magical academia: "No holidays? Obviously. The Scholomance doesn't do 'spring break'-it does 'spring death.'" You'll laugh until you realize the joke is that this is exactly how school feels when your biggest test is whether the monster under your desk is hungry today. The book doesn't just critique school stress-it weaponizes it, turning the dread of finals week into a literal fight for your life. And El? She's not just surviving. She's making the school look like the bad student. Her power isn't a curse; it's the only thing keeping her from being the least interesting thing in a place where everyone's trying to outlive everyone else. By the time you reach the end, you won't just be rooting for El to survive-you'll be checking your own hallway for lurking shadows, wondering if your next coffee break might double as a final exam. And honestly? You'll be glad it's not your school.
Star Jammer
π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Vagabond Warrior
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
LocKz
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
PP Dubs
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Sexy
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§
The Howling Swede
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Zero Charisma
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Black Fantastic
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
London Fox
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
White Snare
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Guillotine Trigger
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Canine Hannibal
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
NexusNomad
ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π
Spit Turanga
This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
SunnySnap
ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Fuzzy Rainbow
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Steel
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in!
The Dude
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
FireBrang
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ
Austin Shamrock
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
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