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.
Morbid Sugar
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. No more interruptions β the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
CuriousCrafter
ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Fire Feline
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem.
Blackfire
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Athens Fire
ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Fiend Oblivion
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
CodeExia
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio β from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true.
Divine Bramble
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ
Papa Smurf
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
Sky
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed.
WittyWordsmith
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Iron Butterfly
I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Boost Princess
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. 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!
Innocent Ghost
I've never been so excited about my daily commute β thanks to this app. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Gr8 Flick
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Hemlock
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Snow Cream
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch.
Tweety Bun Bun
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Little General
π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
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