Book description
A Study in Drowning: Where Fairy Tales Go to Die
Ava Reid's debut novel promises gothic fantasy but delivers something closer to gothic fanfiction with commitment issues. Effy Sayre, our protagonist, clutches her tattered copy of "Angharad" like a security blanket while supposedly redesigning the deceased author's estate-an endeavor that sounds more glamorous than gutting a haunted mansion filled with literary hipsters and actual ghosts.
The plot revolves around proving whether the late author Myrddin was a fraud, which feels like Reid's thinly veiled commentary on her own genre credentials. Preston HΓ©loury, the stodgy scholar determined to expose literary fraud, apparently missed the memo that he's in a fantasy novel, not a dissertation defense.
Reid's writing style alternates between breathless fairy tale romanticism and clunky exposition, creating a narrative whiplash that would make even the most devoted romance reader reach for Dramamine. The "dark forces" threatening our heroes seem less menacing and more like poorly coordinated dinner theater.
The audiobook narration likely adds unintentional comedy to already awkward dialogue, transforming what should be tense supernatural moments into inadvertent farce. Listening to Effy's internal monologue about her precious fairy tales while she literally drowns in plot holes becomes a meta-experience in literary self-awareness.
This is fantasy for readers who think "research" means reading SparkNotes and "world-building" means buying expensive candles. Reid has created a story where fairy tales aren't just real-they're also really annoying.
Dr. Jam Man
ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration. The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time.
Mental
ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ
Sassy Muffin
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! Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Crash Test
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Noise Toy
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! πββοΈπ Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey.
Nice Gnome
This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. 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.
Force
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Dance Cannon
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Dahlia Bumble
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings.
Marbles
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! 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.
Lunar Treat
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ«
Tootsie Killer
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Dredd
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience! An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Domino Combat
Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
AirportHobo XD
Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues! Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Corny
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. 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 Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Sun Leo
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
MeeP
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
NemesisX
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Storm Master
π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
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