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.
MeeP
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Juice Petite
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
21st Street
π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Flakes
π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure!
Airport Hobo
ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Queen Bee
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Nickname Master
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
Swing Setter
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
3D Waffle
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
SkyGod
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
Murmur
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π This app has transformed my daily commute into a captivating journey of knowledge and entertainment. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Don Stab
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures.
Abyss Tamer
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
WanderWord
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Gumby Train
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Good for background listening. I didnβt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorβs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
ByteBard
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ
All Natural
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
London Fox
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Mindless Bobcat
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Doughboy, Esq
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
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