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.
VisionVoyager
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ
Predator
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Miss Rum Punch
Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Versace-Cat
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Sky
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Achilles Mountain
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Voluntary
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
High Woo
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience.
Feral Mayhem
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ
Rosie Bird
π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Storm Master
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Osprey
ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Gas Man
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Murmur
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. This app is a time-saver β I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Vagabond Warrior
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Gingersnap Woman
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. Audiobooks made delightful β this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner.
Gingersnap Woman
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. 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.
Night Train
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Twisty Dew
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
FireBrang
ListenBook has given me the gift of time β turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. βοΈ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! π§Ήπ° Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ± A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
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