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.
Darling Peacock
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Bad Princess
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ByteBard
The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Dandelion
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Mad Viral
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Kamikaze Granny
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Red Pepper
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Mr. Lucky
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Metal Lady
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Sky Trinity
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
ThermalMode
Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Spoiler Betty
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CZR
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Low Menace
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Gothic Gucci
π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
SubWoof330
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§
Napoleonic Haze
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Tan Stallion
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
Devil Blade
Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
TeederSmartie
ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
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