Book description
A Reaper at the Gates Review
Sabaa Tahir's third installment in the Ember in the Ashes series delivers a masterful continuation of epic proportions. Following the success of her debut novel that established her as a formidable voice in young adult fantasy, Tahir crafts a narrative that expands the scope of her already rich world while deepening the personal stakes for her characters.
The story picks up with multiple threads converging toward inevitable conflict. Helene Aquilla, now the Blood Shrike, embodies the series' exploration of duty versus personal desire as she navigates the treacherous Martial court. Her desperation to protect her sister Livia creates compelling tension, particularly as Emperor Marcus's instability threatens to consume everything in his path. Tahir skillfully portrays how political machinations and personal trauma intersect to create dangerous power dynamics.
Meanwhile, Laia's eastern journey represents the series' broader themes about destiny and sacrifice. Her quest to stop the Nightbringer forces her to confront unexpected betrayals from allies, adding layers of complexity to what could have been a straightforward mission. Tahir excels at creating moral ambiguity-characters who seem helpful harbor hidden agendas, making Laia's path increasingly perilous.
Perhaps most intriguing is Elias's transformation into Soul Catcher. His complete surrender to ancient powers creates genuine emotional weight, particularly his willingness to abandon love for a greater purpose. This supernatural element elevates the series beyond typical young adult fare, introducing mythological concepts that resonate with classical themes of sacrifice and redemption.
Tahir's background in journalism shows in her precise prose and ability to balance multiple perspectives. The desert setting, inspired by her own upbringing in California's Mojave, provides atmospheric depth that grounds the fantastical elements. Her experience with fantasy literature and comic books informs the story's pacing and world-building, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
The audiobook format particularly suits Tahir's work, as the multiple viewpoints benefit from skilled vocal interpretation. The medium allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the emotional intensity of each character's journey while maintaining clarity across the complex plot lines.
A Reaper at the Gates succeeds as both continuation and evolution of Tahir's vision, proving her ability to sustain narrative tension across a series while developing characters with genuine depth and moral complexity.
Pitfall Whiskers
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app – it's revitalizing. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks.
Delicious Cupid
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Hemingway Mirmillone
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
180
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner.
Hemingway Mirmillone
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion.
Bootleg Taximan
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
Zod
⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Delicious Wing
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
CuriousCoder
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Twiddle Twix
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Stud
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
Black Mustard
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators – they add a unique charm to each book. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
PP Dubs
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Sherwood Gladiator
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Stud Buster
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Pepper Prada
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly.
VisionVortex
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
NexusNomad
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ⭐️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. 🎶📖
Petite Beauty
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Sleek Assassin
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure.
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