Book description
Freya Marske's Cinder House reimagines the Cinderella myth through a profoundly queer Gothic lens, delivering a debut novella of exceptional narrative precision. The audiobook format elevates this haunting tale, transforming Ella's spectral existence into an immersive auditory experience. As a ghost bound to her father's house following her murder at sixteen, Ella's voice-rendered with palpable frustration and yearning-masterfully conveys her isolation. She remains invisible to all but her stepfamily, trapped by a relentless midnight return to the staircase of her death, her only solace a precarious bargain: three nights of fleeting corporeal presence with a fairy charm-seller.
The narration's precise modulation of despair and hope constitutes a paramount asset. Listeners discern the subtle shift in Ella's voice when she finally dances, touches, and is seen-a sensory revelation amplified by the audiobook's intimate delivery. Marske's prose, already lauded as "the queen of romantic fantasy," achieves its greatest resonance here; the ghostly constraints feel rigorously defined, not merely poetic. The stepfamily's obliviousness, the charm-seller's wary pragmatism, and the chilling inevitability of midnight's return are rendered with clinical clarity through vocal performance.
Critically, Marske subverts expectations without sacrificing emotional truth. The "ball" is not the focal point; the true magic lies in Ella's negotiation of agency within her spectral prison. The audiobook's pacing ensures each of the three nights feels earned, each moment of connection charged with the weight of impermanence. Listeners will note how the narrator's measured cadence mirrors Ella's internal struggle-her fear of discovery, her hunger for connection, the quiet devastation of returning to invisibility.
This is not a mere retelling but a meticulously constructed Gothic romance where the supernatural serves character. The audiobook's strength resides in its ability to make the invisible palpable: the rustle of a ghost's presence, the echo of a touch that fades, the desperate hope in a whispered plea. For fans of Naomi Novik's intricate worlds or T. Kingfisher's atmospheric tension, Cinder House offers a debut of singular emotional precision. Its brilliance lies in rendering a ghost's longing as both universally resonant and utterly specific-a testament to Marske's command of voice, whether on the page or through the ear. The narrator's voice, a steady anchor in Ella's disorientation, ensures this novella's emotional core remains unshaken. It is, unequivocally, the most compelling reimagining of a classic fairy tale in recent memory.
Fadey
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Knight Light
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable. I’d listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Sick Saurus
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MrOnsTr
Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
EchoExplorer
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Sherm
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Stud
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. 🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚
Cinder Coffee
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level.
Upper D3ckR
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 🏃♀️🌟 Experiencing stories while staying active – this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. 🎧🏞️ Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Mental Prophet
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StarStrider
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Jelly Camber
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives.
Burn
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator.
Wrangler Jim
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Accidental Genius
⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! 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.
Mule Lock
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Pinup Diva
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Trip
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧
Guncap Slingbad
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Disco Potato
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
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