Book description
Let's be real: if you thought Five Broken Blades was a messy, glittery pile of political backstabbing, buckle up. Mai Corland's sequel, Four Ruined Realms, cranks the lies, the betrayals, and the sheer audacity of a king who lies better than a used car salesman to 11. King Joon isn't just scheming-he's got a personal vendetta against a ring (the Golden Ring of the Dragon Lord, naturally), and he's willing to weaponize your favorite five blades like a drama queen with a spreadsheet. Their mission? Steal the ring in a month while also trying not to kill each other. Because, apparently, trusting your ex-assassins is harder than defying a queen who rules with a lawbook and a glare.
The audiobook? Absolute gold. The narrator leans into the chaos like they're gossiping over a glass of wine at the worst dinner party ever. You hear the sigh when Joon lies again, the clink of a dagger being drawn during a tense negotiation, and the sheer, unfiltered eye-roll of the blades realizing, yet again, they're being played. It's like listening to a reality show where the contestants are all secretly royalty and the only prize is not getting executed. Corland doesn't just write a sequel; she weaponizes the reader's patience. The "bonded by deceit" line? That's the plot, folks. They can't trust each other, but they definitely can't trust the king, who's basically the villain from your favorite fantasy novel who also runs a very shady dating app.
And the best part? The sheer, ridiculous stakes. Stealing a ring from a queen who's basically a walking legal code? Easier than figuring out why you keep getting texted by your ex. The "one month" deadline is so aggressively unrealistic it's almost charming. You're waiting for the inevitable "wait, how are they doing this?" moment, and the narrator delivers it with a smirk. The humor isn't just in the plot-it's in the audacity of it all. Like, yes, the king is a liar, but seriously, he's the one who made the ring the ultimate prize? Classic. The "revenge" angle? It's not just personal. It's the reason the whole thing holds together. You root for them not because they're heroes, but because the king is so gleefully, catastrophically awful you need to see him get his comeuppance.
So yeah, it's a mess. A gloriously, chaotically messy mess. The lies are the real plot armor here, and the audiobook makes you feel every whispered betrayal, every stolen glance, every "oh, now we're all in this together" moment. You'll laugh, you'll groan, and you'll absolutely need to listen to the next one just to see if the blades survive the king's next move. Because let's be honest: if they can't trust each other, who can they trust? The king, probably. And that's exactly the joke. The lies have only just begun-and honestly? You're already hooked.
Undergrad
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Dorothy Solitaire
πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Palomino
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Chameleon
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Dance Bloom
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ByteBard
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Washer
Efficient audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is a revelation. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
PixelPilgrim
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
New York Sixlet
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Barbera Shift
ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actorβs tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaintsβjust a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Blizzard Vixen
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Pitfall
β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. 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!
Swerve
This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If youβre looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Tabasco Dracula
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner.
Red Woman
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Sun Washer
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Murder Matter
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
ButterQuest
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Hobo Samurai
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! 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!
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