Book description
Yelena's execution was supposed to be quick. Instead, she's offered a slow, agonizing death by poison-and the only thing standing between her and a painful end is a daily antidote. That's the brutal reality waiting for her in the palace of Ixia, where the Commander of the realm has a deadly game in mind. You'll feel every heartbeat as Yelena steps from the cell into the gilded cage of the palace kitchens, where every meal is a potential death sentence. The audiobook pulls you into her skin, making the metallic taste of fear as real as the whispered threats in the shadows.
Maria V. Snyder's world-building isn't just vivid-it's alive. The tension isn't just in the plot; it's in the way the narrator captures Yelena's exhaustion, the way her voice cracks when she realizes she's not just tasting food anymore, but surviving. The Commander's voice, calm and utterly chilling, cuts through the tension: "You're not my enemy. You're my problem." You can hear the weight of that line, the threat buried in the politeness.
What makes this audiobook soar isn't just the high stakes-it's Yelena's voice. She's not a passive victim. She's sharp, observant, and fiercely trying to stay alive while navigating palace intrigue, a growing magical power she can't control, and the ever-present shadow of Butterfly's Dust. The narrator doesn't just read her; they become her, making the panic when she misses an antidote feel like your own. You're there with her in the kitchen, smelling the spices, hearing the clink of the vial of antidote on the table, wondering if this time the poison will win.
The twists aren't just clever-they're earned. Snyder builds the world so carefully, you feel the weight of Ixia's political fractures, the rebels' desperation, the Commander's hidden motives. And the magic? It's not flashy. It's a slow burn, as unsettling as the poison itself. You'll find yourself leaning in, not just to solve the mystery, but to understand why Yelena's choices matter.
This isn't just a story about survival. It's about finding your voice when the world is trying to silence you-and realizing the most dangerous thing in a palace isn't the poison, but the silence around it. The audiobook makes you hear every unspoken word, every breath held in the dark. You'll finish it not just with the story in your head, but with the echo of Yelena's voice in your ears, wondering what you'd risk to stay alive. And you'll be desperate to hear what happens next.
X-Dew
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
The Shield Toronto
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Sir Squire
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Mr. Lucky
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
ByteBard
ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
QuantumQuill
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Dez Bonbon
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
RedMouth
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
QuantumQuipper
ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Dez
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Berry Succubus
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Queen Bee
Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Snow Hound
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional.
Die Slice
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. β° Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks β energizing! π π§
Pistol Hydro
Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 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
EchoEnigma
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
GoldTouch
I'm hooked on this app β it's like Netflix for book lovers! Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Star Killer
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. 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!
Tea Kettle
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. 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!
Spoiler
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
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