Book description
Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede: A Refreshingly Unceremonious Adventure
Let's be honest-most fantasy novels treat dragons like temperamental houseguests who've overstayed their welcome at a very exclusive tea party. Patricia C. Wrede, however, apparently thought, "What if we just... talked to them?"
Daystar, our protagonist, gets the literary equivalent of a boot to the backside when his mother-conveniently the Queen of Everything Reasonable-hands him a magic sword and essentially says, "Off you go, dear." No dramatic farewell, no existential crisis about his royal lineage, just Mom being Mom in the most magically inconvenient way possible.
The real charm lies in Wrede's complete dismissal of fantasy pretension. While other authors are busy constructing elaborate political systems and brooding over ancient prophecies, she's letting her characters bumble through conversations with dragons who are frankly more interested in proper etiquette than world domination. It's like watching someone navigate a minefield while politely asking if anyone minds if they just skip the whole destruction thing entirely.
The supporting cast reads like a support group for fantasy misfits: a fire-witch with commitment issues, a lizard suffering from verbal diarrhea, and a baby dragon with the manners of a particularly rude toddler. Together, they stumble through what passes for a plot with the grace of drunk sailors at a wedding.
Wrede's writing style is the literary equivalent of wearing pajamas to a formal dinner-comfortable, practical, and somehow more entertaining than the stuffy alternative. She manages to subvert every fantasy trope while making it look as effortless as breathing, which is either genius or complete narrative negligence, depending on your tolerance for authors who refuse to take themselves seriously.
The audiobook format actually enhances this casual brilliance. There's something deliciously inappropriate about hearing someone deadpan their way through what should be epic moments, reducing potential drama to the narrative equivalent of a shrug and a "well, that happened."
This isn't so much a book as a public service announcement: sometimes the most powerful magic in any kingdom is simply remembering your manners. Though, let's be honest, most dragons probably just want you to stop talking and make them a sandwich.
Succubus In Training
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Day Hawk
Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Kabuki
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling – all thanks to this app. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Ginger Chaos
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Irish Dze
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
FLAK Angel
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Sultan of Speed
I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
The China Wall
I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Darth 44
The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. 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. 🌌🎧 Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Club Nola
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Gothic Gucci
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
Trixie
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Campfire Mama
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀
Bad Badminton
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day.
Venious
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧 ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Feral Mayhem
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Nessie Pork
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is remarkable.
Mr. Fabulous
🚶♀️📖 Walking my way through exciting narratives – this app makes exercise more fun! 🏞️🎧 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable.
Lunar Treat
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. 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.
Widow Curio
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
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