Book description
Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword achieves a rare alchemy in the audiobook format, transforming its rich narrative into an immersive auditory journey. The provided excerpt-introducing Corlath, the golden-eyed Hillfolk king, and Harry Crewe, the orphan who becomes Harimad-sol, heir to the legendary Blue Sword-establishes the novel's profound thematic core: lineage, destiny, and the quiet revolution of a woman claiming a weapon long denied to her sex. McKinley's prose, already lyrical, gains an additional layer of resonance when voiced. The narrator's deliberate pacing allows the weight of each revelation to settle-Corlath's heritage, Harry's transformation from Homelander orphan to warrior, the very essence of the kelar's song-to resonate deeply within the listener.
This audiobook excels in rendering McKinley's signature strengths: her meticulous worldbuilding and unflinching focus on character. The Hillfolk's culture, their connection to the land and the magic woven through blood and song, feels palpable through the narrator's tone. Phrases like "the weaver of destinies" transcend mere description; they become a palpable force in the audio landscape, underscored by the narrator's measured delivery. The tension surrounding Gonturan, the Blue Sword itself-a symbol of both legacy and defiance-is heightened by the audiobook's ability to convey Harry's internal journey through subtle vocal shifts, making her quiet determination feel earned and monumental.
Crucially, the audiobook format honors McKinley's subversion of traditional fantasy tropes without sacrificing its epic scope. Harry Crewe's path-forged not through birthright but through resilience, skill, and a profound connection to the land-is rendered all the more compelling when heard. The narrative's focus on the "magic of the blood" and the Hillfolk's spiritual depth avoids the clichΓ©s of the genre, and the audio medium amplifies this. The listener doesn't merely read about the kelar's song; they feel its rhythm, its significance, through the narration's cadence. This is not mere storytelling; it is a deeply felt transmission of a story where identity, heritage, and courage are inextricably linked.
For those familiar with the novel, the audiobook offers a renewed appreciation for McKinley's precise, evocative language. For newcomers, it provides an accessible, deeply atmospheric entry point into a foundational work of feminist fantasy. The narrator's voice becomes the vessel carrying the weight of Aerin's legacy, Corlath's burden, and Harry's hard-won triumph. In a landscape often dominated by spectacle, The Blue Sword audiobook stands as a testament to the enduring power of character-driven narrative, where the true magic lies not in the sword, but in the quiet, unwavering strength of the hand that wields it. It is a listening experience that lingers, much like the song of the kelar itself.
Sweet Bacon
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Low Voltage
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InsightInkwell
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Cereal Killer
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Shade Nightman
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Lightweight
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VenusLion
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
Grave Digger
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ
Treasure Devil
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a fantastic addition that enhances my audio experience. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Prometheus
As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
BuzzBait
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Sir Squire
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Blood Taker
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Metal Lady
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
Uncle Psycho
ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. I can't get enough of this app β it's like having a personal library with me. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Homerun Diva
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Sweetness
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DollFaceKillah
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
ELLerG!c
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Dr. WMD
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ
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