Book description
I've just finished listening to the audiobook "Sharp Ends," and it feels like I've been handed a fistful of razor-sharp stories and left to wrestle with them on my own. Abercrombie's name alone is a promise of blood, betrayal, and the kind of grimdark that doesn't care to tip its hat to the reader. The book is billed as "the ultimate collection of award-winning tales and exclusive new short stories," and it does deliver a barrage of violence that explodes as soon as the words hit the ear.
First up, Colonel Sand dan Glokta, the Union army's bastard with a conscience so thin it's practically invisible. He thinks he can single-handedly save the day when the Gurkish arrive, but the narrative treats his bravado like a cheap prop, tossing it aside faster than a drunken hero's last line. Then there's Curnden Craw, who has a dozen followers chasing a mysterious item from beyond the Crinna. The description says, "only one small problem: no one seems to know what the item is." That's a classic Abercrombie joke-an object of great importance that never actually plays a role, yet the whole story revolves around it.
Shevedieh, the self-styled best thief in Styria, is described as lurching from disaster to catastrophe. The narration gives her a voice that shouts "I am the best," only to have the story backfire like a slapstick routine. Her companion, Javre, is labeled both best friend and greatest enemy, which is a clever paradox, but the plot never fully explores that duality. The tone here leans heavily into exaggeration: she's a thief, but the world treats her like a comic relief character who stumbles through scenes without any real stakes.
Finally, Bethod, the idealistic chieftain, tries to bring peace to the North. The only obstacle? His own lunatic champion, the Bloody-Nine. This final setup feels like a tired trope-peace vs. bloodlust-yet Abercrombie throws in a twist that is more a punchline than a narrative pivot. The audiobook's pacing makes it hard to know when the irony hits the mark; sometimes the jokes land too early, ruining the dramatic build.
Overall, "Sharp Ends" is a collection that revels in its own self-destructive humor. Abercrombie doesn't hold back on the violence, the treachery, or the satirical edge, but the result is a series of vignettes that feel more like caricatures than fully fleshed out stories. If you're looking for an audiobook that delivers on blood and laughs in equal measure, this will not disappoint. Just be prepared for a barrage of over-the-top action and an author who enjoys poking fun at his own world as much as he does at the reader.
DollFaceKillah
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes!
Black Walnut
Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
TrixiePhany
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Devine Melon
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied.
Bad Beh8vior
ποΈπ§ Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads β this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ποΈπ ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Kimono Goddess
The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Silver Agent
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Lucifurious
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Wrangler Jim
ποΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. πΆπ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Tomcat
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
White Dragon
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ποΈ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn β I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! ππ Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Guncap Slingbad
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
SubWoof330
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
Queen Bee
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Heavenly Connection
ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable.
The Dude
The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience.
Killah Goose
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Eye Candy Kitten
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Yellow Menace
Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
JesterZilla
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. With this app, I've discovered the joy of learning while I'm on the move β it's like having a tutor by my side. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable.
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