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.
Slug-em-dog
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys – thank you, app! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination.
Slacker Cat
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Freak
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine.
Saber-RED
Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Find It Girl
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Seattle Jay
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Marbles
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 🌟 Reading has never been this easy – this app fits right into my fast-paced lifestyle. 📚💫 Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback.
Napoleonic Haze
Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Racy Lady
🔥 Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine – this app is my secret weapon! ✨📖 ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Marigold Loot
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes – options galore to suit everyone's preferences. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch.
Paris Boost
ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
Sherwood Gladiator
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. 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. 📱📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection.
East Army
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
SunVolt
📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Sun Lemon
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Burst Nibbler
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Eight Patrol
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it!
9Lives
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Highway
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
London Fox
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
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