Book description
You know that sickening feeling when you realize your life is basically a corporate-sponsored reality show? Fable for the End of the World makes that dread feel terrifyingly plausible, and the audiobook version? Pure, unadulterated genius. Ava Reid's dystopia isn't just about debt slavery-it's about a corporation named Caerus (because, obviously, they're benevolent?) turning the apocalypse into a bloodsport spectacle called the Lamb's Gauntlet. Think The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but with a side of corporate satire so sharp it cuts.
Inesa, scraping by in a half-submerged town with her brother and a taxidermy shop, learns her mother's crushing debt has volunteered her for the Gauntlet-a livestreamed death match where the poor get sacrificed for entertainment. Enter Melinoë, Caerus's deadliest assassin, a neural-reconditioned weapon who's just had a very public meltdown on air. She needs redemption, bad. And she's hunting Inesa. The twist? They're both trying to survive, but also... well, maybe they're starting to see each other? It's a slow burn that feels earned, not forced.
The audiobook nails it. The narrator's voice for Melinoë? Ice-cold, precise, but with just a hint of that underlying fracture-like glass barely holding. You hear her internal struggle, the weight of her past failures. Inesa's voice is grittier, more grounded, her determination simmering beneath the fear. The wasteland descriptions? You can practically feel the grit in your teeth. The pacing is perfect: tense during the chases, quietly devastating during their moments of connection. You'll find yourself leaning in, forgetting you're just listening to a book.
What makes this work is how Reid uses the absurdity of the premise to expose real things-like how easily we normalize cruelty when it's packaged as entertainment. The humor isn't loud; it's in the sheer, ridiculous horror of it all. Caerus's corporate jargon ("debt resolution events"!) paired with the brutal reality of the Gauntlet? It's darkly hilarious, and the audiobook delivery makes the irony land perfectly. You're laughing while your heart's in your throat.
And the romance? It's not the focus, but it's the quiet, hopeful counterpoint to the bleakness. Two people realizing they're more than their roles-the survivor, the weapon-starting to see the humanity in each other. The audiobook makes those small moments land: the hesitation in a voice, the quiet realization in a pause. You don't just read it; you feel it, right down to the last, breathless beat. It's a masterclass in how audiobooks can deepen the emotional core of a story. You'll be hitting "play" again before the credits roll.
IceDog
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Versace-Cat
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
Spontan8ty
Audiobooks have become a part of my self-care routine, thanks to this app. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Night Train
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Alberta
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream.
DuckDuck
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion.
Flame OUT
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Snow Cream
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Crossing Guard
📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
MindfulMingle
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use. 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!
Ladybird
📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Washer
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Fuzzy Rainbow
🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Digital Equinox
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. 🏃♀️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – audiobooks make my runs more exciting! 🏃♀️🎧 🎉 The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. 📱🎧 The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Cool Law Topping
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
SereneScribe
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life. 📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Charms
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach.
Waylay Dave
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Wonder Lady
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
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