Book description
Rachel Hartman's Tess of the Road is a bold and refreshing fantasy that breaks away from traditional tropes while delivering a deeply human story. Set in the same richly imagined world as her bestselling Seraphina, this audiobook introduces Tess, a defiant young woman who refuses to conform to societal expectations. After a scandal at her sister's wedding, Tess is sent away, but instead of accepting her fate, she disguises herself as a boy and sets off on a journey across the Southlands.
What unfolds is both an adventure and an introspective exploration of identity, trauma, and resilience. Tess is flawed, fierce, and unforgettable-exactly the kind of heroine fantasy needs more of. Her companion, a quigutl named Virzal, adds warmth, humor, and depth to their travels. The friendship they develop feels genuine and anchors the emotional core of the story.
Hartman's world-building remains one of her strongest assets. The medieval setting, where dragons live alongside humans in complex social structures, continues to impress. But it's the quieter moments-Tess grappling with her past, questioning gender roles, and slowly learning to trust-that make this audiobook truly compelling. The narration brings nuance to Tess's voice, making her struggles and growth feel immediate and real.
Fans of Seraphina will appreciate the return to Goredd, but Tess of the Road stands confidently on its own. It's a smart, original fantasy with heart, driven by a protagonist who carves her own path-no matter how uncertain the road ahead may be.
Nibbler
The voice actors are incredible β they make the characters come alive. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Tokyo Dream
π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Roller Turtle
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Dance Bloom
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Cosmo
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
Swan Mustang
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
ZenZone
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
Jelly Momentum
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Trash Master
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch.
Texas Butterfly
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
DreamDiver
ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Green Ghost
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. 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.
SprkR
Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
RiddleRanger
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Contrary Mary
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Intimidating Presence
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Napoleonic Haze
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a winner. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Steel Cut Toe
Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with 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!
Oblivion
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Pigeon Woman
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
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