Book description
Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty isn't just a coming-of-age story-it's a full sensory immersion, especially as an audiobook. Set in 1895, it follows Gemma Doyle, a 16-year-old reeling from her mother's suicide and shipped to a rigid English boarding school. What makes this novel shine in audio form is how the narrator-through subtle shifts in tone, pacing, and even silence-transforms Gemma's haunting visions and emotional isolation into something you feel in your bones. You don't just hear about her premonitions; you lean in as the voice drops to a whisper, making the moment feel unnervingly real.
The audiobook excels where prose alone might struggle: capturing the eerie atmosphere of Spence School. The creak of old floorboards, the hushed whispers of secret societies, the tension in Gemma's interactions with the school's elite-these details land with visceral impact when voiced. You hear the chill in her loneliness as she's ostracized, and the urgency in the mysterious Indian man's warnings. His dialogue, delivered with quiet intensity, avoids melodrama, making his role feel urgent rather than cliché.
Bray's genius lies in balancing gothic mystery with raw teenage vulnerability. Gemma isn't a passive victim; she's grappling with guilt, identity, and the terrifying power of her own mind. The audiobook amplifies this. When she questions her sanity-"Was it my fault?"-the hesitation in the narrator's voice makes you sit up, feeling her doubt as your own. The spiritual elements, often tricky to convey, feel organic here. The audiobook's pacing slows during key scenes, letting the weight of a diary entry or a vision linger, so you absorb the stakes alongside Gemma.
What truly elevates this as an audio experience is how it avoids over-explaining. The narrator trusts the listener to piece together clues alongside Gemma, mirroring her own journey. You lean into the mystery as she does, hearing the unspoken tension between her and the girls who pull her into their world. The audiobook's strength is in its restraint-letting silence speak as loudly as dialogue, making the eventual revelations feel earned.
For readers aged 12 and up, this isn't just a story about ghosts or destiny. It's about finding your voice when the world tries to silence you. The audiobook format makes Gemma's internal struggle palpable, turning her fears and discoveries into something intimate, like a secret shared just for you. It's a rare adaptation where the medium enhances the message, proving that sometimes, hearing a story is the only way to truly live it.
Sun Washer
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities.
Miss Mustard
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Master Jetson
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. 📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨
3P-own
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Opulent Gamer
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. 💡 This app's convenience is a blessing – I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! 📱👩🍳 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧
Red Pepper
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Chlorine
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Call Back Queen
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Atlantic Rim
With ListenBook, I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠
Cross Thread
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Pixie
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Mr. Fabulous
💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition!
BuffFreak
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's pure bliss. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Daisy Stick
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
DuckDuck
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. 🎶 Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! 🎶📖
Crossing Guard
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
HOV
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Impulse
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. 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. 📖📱 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
FlyGuardX
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner.
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