Book description
I find myself utterly captivated by Fran Wilde's Cloudbound, the second installment in her striking Bone Universe saga. From the very first moments, the narrator's voice carries the weight of the sky-bound city, breathing life into a world where the clouds are both sanctuary and menace. The story begins as a natural consequence of the events in Updraft: the city's foundations crumble, its governance dissolves, and the citizens are left exposed to the ever-present threat lurking above.
The central character, Kirit Densira, is portrayed with remarkable depth. As a young woman who abandoned her familial tower to pursue a daring ascent, Kirit's decision to challenge the status quo brings about a cascade of upheaval. The narrative meticulously documents how her rebellion at the Spire ripples through the towers, setting the stage for the chaos that follows. The voice-over narration captures the emotional turmoil she endures-the loss of beloved family, the shattering of her dreams, and the relentless fight for survival. It is an evocative portrayal that invites listeners to feel the weight of her choices.
I am also drawn to the journey of Kirit's wing-brother, Naton, whose quest for heroism amid the disorder is rendered with palpable sincerity. As the new Council member, Naton attempts to safeguard the Tower-born while traversing lower tiers to acquire vital resources. The narrator deftly balances the practical aspects of resource gathering with the internal conflict that defines Naton's character. When he encounters the secrets of the lower tiers, the narrative shifts seamlessly, revealing the complexities of trust and self-belief. His decision point-whether to trust himself and others or to cling to the old ways-underscores the story's core thematic tension.
Wilde's prose, translated into audio form, feels both expansive and intimate. The narrator's intonation mirrors the ebb and flow of the plot: moments of high tension during the clouds' wrath are punctuated by the quiet, contemplative introspection of Naton as he unravels the hidden lore. The soundscape subtly enhances the sense of vertigo that comes with living in a city that is literally made of bone, making the stakes feel tangible.
What I appreciate most about the audiobook experience is the seamless integration of world-building with character arcs. The story remains accessible to listeners who may not have read Updraft, yet it rewards those who are familiar with the earlier novel. Each chapter is carefully paced, ensuring that the dramatic climax-when a dangerous myth transforms into a realistic threat-does not feel rushed. The final resolution leaves listeners with a lingering sense of awe at the resilience required to survive beneath the clouds.
In sum, Cloudbound delivers a compelling blend of action, emotional depth, and speculative imagination. Fran Wilde's skillful narration keeps the audience engaged from the opening line to the closing echo of a city still breathing, yet forever altered. It is an audiobook that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the cost of ambition and the necessity of trust in the face of overwhelming odds.
Jetta Talent
The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Wild Hair
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Sw00sh
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π
Sherm
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
ThickSKN
Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. ππ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
Y0dler
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments.
NightDream
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
GiddeeUP
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Duke Electro
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ
Knuckles
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
BuzzMouse
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice.
Flakes
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Pitfall Whiskers
π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Steel Cut Toe
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Phoenix Sparrow
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. 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!
High Woo
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Breezy Mustang
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Snapple Whistler
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Suicide Jockey
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
MindfulMingle
I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
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