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.
Nibbler
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Crossing Guard
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Runway Darling
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
Mad Jack
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Mad Jack
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Lunar Treat
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HedgeH0g2
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Candy Butcher
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Miss Lucky
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
ForumFusion
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Glyph
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Preach Man
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Orange Teflon
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. 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!
MicroStar
Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
High Deck
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Married Man
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Nola
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ThoughtTracer
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Sprinkle Lovenuts
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Audiobooks on demand β this app's functionality is a true technological gem. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Wings
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
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