Book description
Forget everything you think you know about historical fiction. Dan Jones' Lion Hearts-the thrilling, brutal conclusion to the Essex Dogs trilogy-arrives as a masterclass in audiobook storytelling, where every creak of armor and gasp of the wounded is delivered with visceral immediacy. Imagine the raw energy of a Ridley Scott film, but narrated by a historian who's lived in the muddy trenches of the Hundred Years' War. You don't just read this; you hear it. The narrator's voice, steady yet urgent, pulls you into Winchelsea's haunted taverns and Windsor's glittering, treacherous court, where Loveday battles his demons and Romford must reclaim his past to save his future.
Jones' genius lies in his historical authority-The Times calls it "bloody and beguiling," and that's the least of it. You'll hear the whine of arrows in the wind, the guttural clash of steel, the desperate whispers of a kingdom reeling from the Black Death. This isn't sanitized history; it's the stench of blood and fear, the kind of authenticity that makes you lean closer to the speaker. As Alice Winn raved, it's "a horrible joy to read," and on audio, that horror becomes a physical presence. You feel Romford's old instincts resurfacing-cunning, ruthlessness, speed-as Castilian threats loom. The pacing? Perfect. Each scene clicks like a well-oiled arrow release, building tension until it's almost unbearable.
What elevates Lion Hearts beyond its predecessors is how it honors the trilogy's heart. The Essex Dogs aren't just soldiers; they're men haunted by loss, fighting not for glory, but for the fragile peace they've scraped together. You'll hear the weight in Loveday's quiet struggles, Romford's hard-won confidence cracking under debt and duty. And that final, devastating line from the blurb? "The fighting isn't over yet..."-it lands like a hammer on audio, leaving you breathless.
Jones doesn't just write history; he resurrects it. As Philippa Gregory notes, his "fiction rings with the authority of scholarly history," and on audiobook, that authority becomes undeniable. You'll recognize the echoes of Cornwell's tension and Oliver Stone's grit, but this is distinctly Jones: precise, unflinching, and utterly immersive. The Daily Mail's verdict- "battle-bloody, brutal, and perfectly pitched"-isn't hyperbole; it's a promise kept.
So if you've ever wondered what it sounds like to stand on a medieval battlefield, to hear history breathe, this is your listen. Lion Hearts isn't just the end of a trilogy-it's the sound of a legend being forged, one raw, unforgettable moment at a time. Don't just read about the Essex Dogs' last stand. Live it. You won't forget the sound of it.
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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