Book description
Albion Imperilled
By Ruth Thomas
Four children. One magical threshold. A kingdom hanging in the balance.
Thomas crafts something rare here-a fantasy that trusts its readers. The story moves between 1950s boarding schools and a near-future Britain, connected by portals that live in trees. Simple premise. Complex execution.
The prose carries weight without showing effort. Clean. Direct. Uncluttered by unnecessary flourish. Like the best fantasy writers, Thomas understands that magic works best when it feels inevitable.
What sets this apart is its dual nature. Children will find adventure-midnight flights, secret tunnels, ancient magic. Adults will discover something sharper. A mirror held up to contemporary Britain, reflecting our social fractures without softening the edges.
The Festival of Trees sequence alone is worth the listen. When the trees wake and move, Thomas writes with such quiet authority that you'll find yourself holding your breath.
Character development spans decades yet feels organic. These aren't children who remain children forever. They age. They change. They carry their past into uncertain futures.
Thomas writes from experience. Her own isolation-living in a caravan while restoring a cottage-lends authenticity to the solitary act of creation. There's no social media presence, no corporate backing. Just the work itself.
The audiobook format suits this story particularly well. The shifting timelines demand attention, and a skilled narrator can guide listeners through the transitions seamlessly. The magical elements deserve to be heard aloud.
For those seeking fantasy that respects intelligence while delivering genuine thrills, Albion Imperilled offers both. It's politically incorrect in the best sense-willing to say what needs saying without apology.
Available directly from the author's website. Refreshingly independent.
Gothic Gucci
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers!
Nibbler
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Cooger
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖
Drift
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Grotas
🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
QuantumQuipper
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful.
Mr. 44
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained.
Freaky Ratbuster
ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now!
Star Sword
ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Pinball Wizard
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Con Mammoth
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! I've become so much more productive while cleaning or exercising – thanks to this app! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Pearl Girl
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape.
RealmRanger
Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. 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.
Rosie Bird
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Plum Moon
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app! The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Risen
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app – it's like being in the story. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Find It Girl
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Devine Melon
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Sky
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights – I'm never without a good story. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧
Armed Hawk
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t feel strongly about it one way or another.
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