Book description
A Most-Anticipated Book of 2024: LitHub, Polygon, Apple, Goodreads β "Wiswell raises the bar on the outcast as protagonist . . . the ultimate monster slayer story, if the monster is just a misunderstood creature searching for love." -- Kristi Chadwick, Library Journal (starred review) Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance--from the perspective of the monster--by Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell Shesheshen has made a mistake fatal to all monsters: she's fallen in love. Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by hunters intent on murdering her, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth. However, the hunters chase Shesheshen out of her home and off a cliff. Badly hurt, she's found and nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human, who has mistaken Shesheshen as a fellow human. Homily is kind and nurturing and would make an excellent co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen's eggs so their young could devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, she realizes humans don't think about love that way. Shesheshen hates keeping her identity secret from Homily, but just as she's about to confess, Homily reveals why she's in the area: she's hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere? Eating her girlfriend isn't an option. Shesheshen didn't curse anyone, but to give herself and Homily a chance at happiness, she has to figure out why Homily's twisted family thinks she did. As the hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, Shesheshen must unearth the truth quickly, or soon both of their lives will be at risk. And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with, rather than in, the love of her life.
About the Author
John Wiswell is a disabled writer who lives where New York keeps all its trees. He won the 2021 Nebula Award for Short Fiction for his story, "Open House on Haunted Hill," and the 2022 Locus Award for Best Novelette for "That Story Isn't The Story." He has also been a finalist for the Hugo Award, British Fantasy Award, and World Fantasy Award. His fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Tor.com, the LeVar Burton Reads podcast, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Diabolical Plots, and other fine venues. His debut novel, Someone You Can Build a Nest In, will be published by DAW Books in April 2024. He can be found making too many puns and discussing craft on his Substack, johnwiswell.substack.com.
Reno Monarch
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. πΆββοΈπ§ Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales β walking never felt this magical! ποΈπ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Midnight Rambler
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. 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!
Mirage
ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
TrixiePhany
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings.
Dallas Foxface
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Firedog
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Marshmallow
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Sass Burst
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ π₯ Streamlined functionality that's music to my ears β audiobook enjoyment has reached a new level of convenience. π΅π Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless.
Trash
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. ππ§
Gingersnap Woman
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§
Troublemasher
Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Wild Tesla
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly.
Shwatson
π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Pepper Legs
From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! ππ Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Tall Sally
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes β options galore to suit everyone's preferences. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Moon Peaches
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner.
Suicide Crusher
This app makes traffic jams a breeze β time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks β it's truly invigorating. ππ Turn traffic into a literary escape β this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. ππ§ Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Demo
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience.
Sienna Princess
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§ Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
NexusNavigator
Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
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