Book description
Barbara Hambly's "Dragonsbane" delivers a refreshingly complex fantasy adventure that transcends typical dragon-slaying tropes. The audiobook format particularly benefits from Hambly's rich descriptive language and intricate character development, making the listening experience immersive without being overwhelming.
The story follows Gareth's desperate quest to recruit John Aversin, the legendary Dragonsbane, to save his homeland from the menacing Black Dragon. What unfolds is far from a simple hero's journey. Hambly crafts a narrative where political intrigue at court becomes as dangerous as any mythical beast, with sorceress Zyerne's manipulation of the king creating obstacles that feel genuinely consequential.
The audiobook's strength lies in its character dynamics. Jenny Waynest emerges as particularly compelling - a sorceress struggling with her powers while navigating her complicated relationship with Aversin. Their partnership feels authentic and lived-in, adding emotional weight to the fantastical elements. The narrator effectively captures these nuanced relationships, bringing depth to Hambly's well-drawn characters.
Hambly's experience across multiple genres serves her well here. The Winterlands setting feels distinct from generic fantasy realms, with cultural details that suggest deeper world-building. The dragon itself, Morkeleb, proves to be more than a simple antagonist, adding layers of moral complexity to what initially appears to be a straightforward quest.
The plot maintains momentum through genuine twists rather than artificial complications. Court politics, family dynamics, and magical uncertainty create tension that feels organic to the story's internal logic. This isn't epic fantasy scaled to massive proportions, but rather an intimate adventure that explores how ordinary people confront extraordinary circumstances.
"Dragonsbane" succeeds as both traditional fantasy and thoughtful character study, making it worthwhile for listeners seeking substance alongside their sword and sorcery adventures.
Phoenix Tetra
π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch.
JK Friend
The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Twitch
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. πΌ Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! π»π The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Scare Stone
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π
Crossing Guard
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
SunnySnap
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Whipsaw
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences.
Esquire
Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Dark Burn
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π Audiobooks made easy β this app's functionality is truly a gift. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Mental
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Mantis Queen
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience.
Serendipity
No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ
Wings
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
xFRST
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
ThreadTrail
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey.
Station WMD
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
Universe Bullet
With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Shimmy Shammy
ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Scare Stone
β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§ ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time.
Spunky Comet
Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
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