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.
Sleek Zelda
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Blister
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Popeye Wipeout
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Lincoln Rider
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Sexual Chocolate
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K-9
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Master Jetson
Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Esquire
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Easy Sweep
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Baby Brown
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Admiral Tot
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Wooden Man
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
RedFeet
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
InsightfulInk
🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Fire Feline
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Pinball Wizard
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. 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! This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Marigold Loot
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Tweety
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
Crash Test
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Paris Boost
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze – thank you, app developers! ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
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