Book description
Burned - The Seventh Beat of Alex Verus in Audio
The moment the narrator hits "Play," you know you're about to dive into a high-stakes race against time.
The audio version of Burned doesn't just tell a story-it drags you along with the breathless pacing and the urgency that's become a hallmark of Benedict Jacka's urban-fantasy world.
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### The Urgency Is Real
From the first line, you feel the pressure:
> "...time is running out..."
Alex Verus is no stranger to danger, but this time the stakes go beyond his own life. The Council of Mages has turned its grim reaper on him, and the kill order extends to Luna, Anne, and Vari. That personal threat turns Alex's fight into a mission to protect the people he loves. The audio narration captures that tension with a steady, urgent tone-every pause feels like a countdown.
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### A Familiar Hero in New Danger
- Old enemies re-emerge: Alex's previous clashes with the Council have landed him a full-blown death list.
- New allies must be found: He must pull allies from the very council that now threatens him, a twist that keeps listeners on edge.
- Confronting the past: The former master and the Dark Mages loom in the shadows, forcing Alex into direct opposition.
The narration paints Alex as the "diviner" we've followed for six books, but also shows him adapting-he's learning to disassociate from friends, to strategize, and to keep his head (and soul) intact.
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### Voice and Pace
The audiobook's narrator (a seasoned voice actor) brings the magic of Alex's world alive:
- Clear diction: Complex spells and council jargon are delivered with precision.
- Dynamic character voices: Each mage and minion has a distinct timbre-no two are the same, keeping the story vivid.
- Emotional peaks: The narrator raises the voice during Alex's moments of desperation and brings it down for reflective scenes, mirroring the book's emotional arc.
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### Why You'll Love It
- Fast-moving plot: You're in for a rollercoaster of betrayals, alliances, and magic.
- Deep character work: Alex's struggle to keep his friends safe while fighting his own fate feels real and relatable.
- Rich world-building: The urban fantasy setting is lush-every spell, every council decree feels grounded in a believable system.
If you've followed Alex from the beginning, this audiobook feels like a new chapter that respects the past while pushing the story forward. Even if you're new to the series, the narration's clarity and the story's immediacy make Burned a perfect entry point.
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### Takeaway
Listen to Burned and feel the thrill of a hero racing against a council that will stop at nothing. The voice, the pace, and the stakes combine to create an immersive experience that turns an ordinary listening session into an adrenaline-filled adventure. If you're craving a high-energy fantasy with a touch of moral complexity, this audiobook delivers.
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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