Book description
Forget the usual brooding knights and damsel-in-distress nonsense-T. Kingfisher's Clockwork Boys throws you headfirst into a group of people so dysfunctional, they'd be kicked out of a support group before the first meeting. Picture it: a guilt-ridden paladin (who definitely needs a better therapist), a perpetually bored assassin who'd rather be napping than saving the world, a forger who can't even forge a decent cup of tea without burning it, and a scholar who explains the plot while tripping over his own feet. They're not a team. They're a liability, a walking, talking disaster waiting to happen. And honestly? It's glorious.
Kingfisher doesn't just give us a heist story; she gives us a dysfunctional family reunion where the family members are actively trying to kill each other. The premise? Stop a neighboring kingdom's mechanical army (the "Clockwork Boys") from destroying their city, all while the group spends more time arguing over who gets the last biscuit than strategizing. The stakes? High. The group cohesion? Nonexistent. It's like if your coworkers had to pull off a bank heist while simultaneously trying to figure out whose turn it is to clean the break room. Darkly comic? Absolutely. Touching? Surprisingly, yes-because even the worst of us have moments where we just want to be seen, not just used.
And the audiobook? Chef's kiss. The narrator doesn't just read the words-they live them. You can hear the paladin's sigh of exasperation when the forger accidentally sets a map on fire. You can practically taste the scholar's nervous rambling as he tries to explain clockwork mechanics to a man who just wants to go home. The assassin's deadpan lines land like perfectly timed punchlines, making you laugh even as you're dreading the next time they're forced to work together. It's like having a group of your most chaotic friends narrate your worst day-impossible not to be drawn in, even as you roll your eyes at their choices.
Kingfisher's genius here isn't just in the plot twists (though there are plenty of those), but in how she weaponizes the group's flaws. The paladin's rigid morality? It's the only thing keeping them from going full chaos. The assassin's apathy? It's the only thing keeping them from getting killed by themselves. The scholar's over-explaining? It's the only thing keeping you from falling asleep during the slow parts. And the forger? Well, they're the heart of the whole thing-because they're the only one who truly sees everyone else, flaws and all.
This isn't just a story about saving the day; it's a story about people who've already given up on being heroes, trying to figure out why they're even bothering. It's funny because it's painfully true-sometimes the most heroic thing you can do is keep showing up, even when you hate everyone else in the room. And the audiobook makes it feel like you're right there, cringing, laughing, and maybe even cheering them on. So grab the audiobook, take a deep breath, and get ready for the most chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly ridiculous mission you'll ever hear. Just don't ask the forger to make you coffee. You'll regret it.
Freeze Queen
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Granola
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Saturn Extreme
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Capital F
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Darkside Orbit
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
Achilles Mountain
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Moon Peaches
ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Energy
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks is a hassle-free process, regardless of the source. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature.
Insane SweepKick
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨
StorySculptor
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Swing Setter
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Frosty Snazz
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Skool
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Osprey
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King Panther
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Bad Princess
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Bootleg Taximan
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Take Away
Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Chip Queen
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Skylark
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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