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 clichรฉ 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.
Liquid Science
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. With this app, reading is no longer a task โ it's a delightful habit. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales โ walking never felt this magical! ๐๏ธ๐ High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Spunky Chick
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ๐๏ธ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt โ what a game-changer! ๐๐ ๐ Unveiling the joy of reading once again โ this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ๐๐ Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ๐๐ง I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Jack Cassidy
๐๏ธ๐ง Escaping to paradise with a beach read โ this app is my vacation in audio form! ๐๏ธ๐ Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ๐๐ฑ
Gullyway
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable โ this app's design is a triumph. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Houston
๐๏ธ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures โ this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. โ๏ธ๐ ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon.
Sexy
This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Club Nola
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
King Panther
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ๐๐ฑ The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Demo Zero
โฐ Starting my mornings with inspiration โ audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! โ๏ธ๐ง ๐ถ๐ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling โ audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. ๐ง๐ ๐งโโ๏ธ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks โ mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. ๐งโโ๏ธ๐ง I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. I love the ability to change the background color. Itโs a nice touch.
EchoEnigma
The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Hobo Samurai
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Audiobook pleasure simplified โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
Pocket Mazda
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ๐ถ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! ๐ต๐
Twisty Dew
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
FRMhndshk
The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ๐ฑ No more lugging around heavy books โ this app brings the library to my phone! ๐๐ฑ Bravo to the creators of this app โ they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ๐๐ Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. ๐ฑ๐ง The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Slug-em-dog
Simplifying audiobook management โ this app's functionality is a true asset. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer!
Kickstart
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Eerie
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available โ so much to learn! With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Alley Cat
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life โ it's a unique experience. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Pockets
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app โ it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Canine Hannibal
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ๐๐ง Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
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