Book description
May 17th
Coffee's gone cold, but I couldn't stop listening. Just finished Curse of the Phoenix on audiobook, and wow-this isn't just a book, it's a late-night, heart-pounding experience. Dan Willis's world-building? Pure magic. Literally.
I'd heard whispers about the Arcane Irregulars, but this? This is where you dive in. Danny Pak, New York's sharp-tongued lieutenant, is already drowning in a case that feels like a ghost from his past-until FBI Agent Buddy Redhorn stumbles into it, all flustered and armed with a sorceress boss who's conveniently out of town. Their banter? Chef's kiss. Danny's pragmatic, "I've seen weird, but this?" meets Buddy's "Hey, I am the weird here, pal," and it crackles like static before a storm.
The audiobook? Chef's kiss again. The narrator (seriously, whoever's doing Danny's voice-gruff, worn, with that New York edge-perfect) makes you feel the city's tension. You hear the rain on precinct windows when Danny gets that call about the crime scene, the wrongness in the air when he realizes it's the same as the old case. Buddy's scenes? Smooth, quick-witted, with just the right hint of "I've got this under control, mostly." And the sound design? Subtle but there-a faint chime when the statue's magic flares, the sharp crack of a spell going wrong. You're in the room with them.
The case itself? A perfect storm of tension. A stolen Brunei statue. Magical murders. A curse that's hungry for New York's chaos. Willis doesn't just throw in "magic"-he makes it matter. The bodies aren't just dead; they're wrong, touched by something ancient and vicious. Danny's trying to keep it quiet before panic erupts. Buddy's scrambling to prove he's not a floater on this case. You feel their clock ticking, the city holding its breath.
And the twist? The real killer's not some shadowy villain. It's personal. Makes you question everything. I was sitting there, headphones on, thinking No way, not again at 2 a.m., completely lost in it.
P.S. If you've skipped the Arcane Casebook books? Do not skip this one. It's a fresh start, but it does pull threads from the bigger world. (Trust me, you'll want to go back and read the others after this. I already have a list.)
This isn't just a mystery-it's a world that breathes. Danny and Buddy? You'll be rooting for them like old friends. And that ending? Chef's kiss. I'm already hunting down Book 2. If you want magic that feels real, tension that grips your throat, and characters who feel like they're sitting across from you in a diner, this audiobook? It's the escape. Don't wait. Listen. Then call a friend and say, "You have to hear this." Trust me-I did. And it was worth every minute.
LunaStar
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me!
FlyGuardX
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Gamer Bean
Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Solitaire
π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
ThoughtTracer
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Celtic Charger
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing.
Rooster
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Bazooka Har-de-har
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Pocket Mazda
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. 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.
Pepper
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Pluto
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ
Roadspike
This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Lady Killer
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Sandbox
ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Star Killer
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience.
Teeder
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips.
Cali Yacht
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Iβd 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.
Mallow Man
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Marigold Loot
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
InsightfulInk
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
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