Book description
She Who Became the Sun Review
Let's be honest-when you hear "reimagining of ancient Chinese history through the lens of fate, power, and gender," your first thought probably isn't "Finally, a book that speaks to my soul." But here we are, dear listener, with Shelley Parker-Chan delivering a tale so audacious, so dripping in ambition and betrayal, that even the ancestors would pause mid-scroll to take notes.
Narrated with the kind of vocal precision that makes you forget you're sitting in your car for ten extra minutes just to hear one more chapter, She Who Became the Sun follows Zhu-a peasant girl who decides the whole "fate as destiny" thing is bunk and opts instead to steal her dead brother's identity, gender, and future. It's like identity theft, but make it dynastic.
Parker-Chan doesn't just retell the rise of the Ming Dynasty; she flips the script with flair, turning a dusty historical footnote into a glittering saga of rebellion, romance, and ruthless self-reinvention. Our protagonist isn't content with being "nothing," so she sets out to become everything, even if that means leaving a trail of broken hearts, severed alliances, and questionable moral decisions in her wake.
The audiobook performance captures every twist of Zhu's ascent with such vivid intensity that you'll find yourself Googling "how to join a rebellion" by lunchtime. It's a story where fate is less a guiding star and more of a suggestion, and Zhu? She treats suggestions like speed bumps-acknowledged, then promptly run over.
With nods to mythology, politics, and the kind of emotional complexity that makes you rethink your own life choices, this is historical fantasy that doesn't just wear its research well-it struts. So plug in those headphones and prepare to be enthroned.
Fadey
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
East Army
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content.
Foot-long Fry
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Granola Dove
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Gabriel Dandelion
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. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Jungle King
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Wonder Lady
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. 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.
ButterQuest
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Cool Iris
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Storm Master
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Thunder Tank
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Plenty Orange
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. ππ Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Tweety Bun Bun
ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
QuestQuill
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth.
Mad Kid
ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Troubadour
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a game-changer. It's like customizing my listening experience.
VisionVoyager
This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is a true winner. 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.
RiddleRover
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
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