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.
Tall Honey
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Unleashed
Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Force
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
ManBreaker
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability.
Sky
💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. The sound quality is excellent. It feels like I’m in the story.
ButterQuest
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Sand Whiskers
Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Scrapper
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Houston
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. 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.
VisionVortex
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life.
Boost
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Saturn Extreme
🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Granola
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy.
Twix Esses
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. 💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 🔥 Simplifying my reading routine – the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. 📚🔗 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
ManBreaker
This app is a true gift for book lovers – it's like having a personal library wherever I go. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Seattle Jay
🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Icy Avenger
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖
Demo
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
White Dragon
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Bleachers
ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖
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