Book description
When I first heard the line "a villain's office meets the Office," I didn't know whether I'd get a funny corporate drama or a full-blown fantasy. I did, however, know that I was in for a wild ride. The audiobook, Assistant to the Villain, pulls me in from the very first page with Evie Sage, the bright-eyed, level-headed assistant who lands a job at the heart of a kingdom's most notorious evil empire. Her voice, calm and matter-of-fact, gives me a solid anchor in the absurdity that follows.
The story begins as Evie's life takes a sharp turn: a family to support, a job offer from Rennedawn's infamous Villain, and a promise of "excellent benefits." I laugh when she says "notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, level-headed assistant." That joke is the hook that lands me in the dungeon-filled office, where heads hang from the ceiling and eyeballs are oddly, unnervingly, on the menu. I can almost hear the faint hum of a dark power plant in the background as the narrator describes the setting in detail.
What makes this story feel fresh is how it balances romance, suspense, and comedy. Evie starts developing a "teeny crush" on the villain, a character who is both temperamental and undeniably hot. The tension between the office's mundane tasks and the looming threats of sabotage gives the narrative a dynamic pacing that keeps me glued. When the villain's work is being undermined, I'm on edge, wondering who's behind the chaos. The narrator's pacing mirrors this escalation, tightening the soundscape as the plot thickens.
The middle of the book is where the real charm shines. Evie's attempts to "resist drooling" over her boss are rendered with humor that feels like a dialogue between a quirky co-worker and a serious boss. I catch myself chuckling when the narrator narrates her internal monologue about "sabotaging" and "making them pay." The audio format allows for subtle inflections that highlight the absurdity of a villain who's still stuck in office politics-think "team-building exercises" with a touch of necromancy.
As the story moves toward its climax, I'm drawn into the stakes: a rotten kingdom, a villain's empire under threat, and a dangerous secret in the dungeon. The narrator keeps the tension alive, using pauses and emphasis to highlight the villain's rage and Evie's determination. When the final confrontation looms, the music swells, and I feel the full weight of the world that Maehrer has built.
I finish the audiobook with a mix of relief and anticipation. The ending leaves room for a sequel, and the narrator's delivery ensures that I'm already excited to hear more. The mix of fairy-tale tropes with a corporate twist, the engaging character dynamics, and the lively narration make Assistant to the Villain a standout. If you're looking for a story that's part romance, part mystery, and all humor, this audiobook is a must-listen.
Black Walnut
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. 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. I can focus on challenging content.
Lady Q
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Slinger
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Ice
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Canine Hannibal
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch – it's like having a personalized reading. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
JesterZilla
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver!
RealmRanger
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. 🌟 Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories – thank you, this app! 👚📖 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Fast FLAK
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Bug Blitz
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Twiddle Twix
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Lounge Master
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 🎶📚 Tuning in to the symphony of stories – audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. 🎵📚 Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
ByteBard
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Winded On Friday
🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Dallas Foxface
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Scarlet Mary
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is remarkable.
Berry Succubus
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver!
Keystone
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 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!
Zorkle Sporkle
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Doz
🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Easy Mac
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
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