Book description
Hey, you won't believe the audiobook I just finished-Anthony Ryan's "The Black Song," the second in his Raven's Blade saga. I'm practically shouting from the sofa because it's a wild, blood-thirsty ride from start to finish.
First, a quick intro on the man behind the madness. Ryan, born in Scotland and having spent years in the British Civil Service, decided to trade spreadsheets for swords after his first book, "Blood Song," blew up. He's got a history degree, loves art, science, and the quest for the perfect pint of real ale-yes, that's the kind of detail that makes the narration feel almost like a bar-room chat with a historian-turned-sword-slinger.
Now, the plot. Picture this: the Steel Horde, those ruthless, fire-breathing marauders, have wrecked the Venerable Kingdom. Their leader, Kehlbrand, thinks he's a god and is now eyeing the merchant kingdoms like a hungry beast. Nobody can stop his conquest, but Vaelin Al Sorna-our hero, but also on the run-might be the only one who can. His own army is in disarray, his back is full of betrayal, and he's carrying a new "blood song" that is as cursed as it is powerful. Think of it as a cursed guitar that sings only in the dead of night, guiding you into darkness. He's supposed to use it to save the world, but it might drag him down a darker path than anyone anticipated.
The audiobook delivers this with a narrator who sounds like a seasoned bard-clear, energetic, and just enough gravel in the voice to make you feel like you're in the middle of a battlefield shouting orders. The pacing is relentless; you're never in a lull. Every sword clash, every chant, every grim decision is amplified, making the stakes feel even higher.
What I love most is the sheer scale of the conflict and the depth of Vaelin's struggle. He's not just fighting external enemies; he's battling his own darkness, a theme that's both thrilling and chilling. The story doesn't shy away from blood or betrayal-it embraces it with gusto, which is exactly what you want in a fantasy that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
If you're after an audiobook that packs action, intrigue, and a dash of self-reflection, this one's a slam-dunk. Anthony Ryan takes the "Raven's Blade" name and turns it into a full-blown epic, and you'll be glad you sat down and listened. Cheers!
Sun Lemon
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Combo Saw
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Fire Bite
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Burn
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Accidental Genius
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Baby Spell
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Nibbler
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Solitaire
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Saturn Extreme
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Sick Saurus
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Pop Bee
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Grabber
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Aqua Diva
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MysticMingle
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QuestQuill
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Blizzard Vixen
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Easy Sweep
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LyRz
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Bearded Angler
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
DreamDasher
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
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