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!
Murder Matter
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational.
Lucky Aurora
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer!
Candy Butcher
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. 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.
Sass Burst
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Fiend Oblivion
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. 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! An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Black Firefly
πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Viceswerve
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Toolmaker
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Widow Curio
ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. 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!
Freeze Queen
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
MuseMaster
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ±
Pepper Mouse
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§
CosPlatoon
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process β I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
JesterZilla
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Girl Brownie
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Freesia
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Starshine
π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Maple Destroyer
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed β it's my form of meditation. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Viceswerve
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
ThoughtTrailblazer
This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
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