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.
Fire Feline
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Granola Dove
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Spoiler Betty
π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Woo Woo
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle.
3P-own
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
LifeRobber
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Winded On Friday
ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Star Killer
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Hightower
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. 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.
SWAT Honey
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Wild Hair
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. Controls are intuitive and user-friendly, making my audiobook experience seamless. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Snapple Whistler
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction.
Potato Sub
π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Con Mammoth
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it! The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
Universe Bullet
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Cumulo
πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
CirrusFlash
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless!
Cosmo
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind β and this app is my partner in crime. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Black Walnut
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Star Jammer
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze β a true travel essential. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
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