Book description
R.A. Salvatore's The Crystal Shard marks the beginning of both the Icewind Dale Trilogy and the broader Legend of Drizzt saga, introducing readers to one of fantasy's most enduring characters: the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Originally published in 1988, this novel laid the groundwork for what would become a sprawling, beloved series within the Forgotten Realms universe.
The story centers around the discovery of a dangerous magical artifact known as the crystal shard, an event set into motion by Akar Kessel, an apprentice mage whose lack of resolve triggers a chain of perilous consequences. Meanwhile, Bruenor, a stalwart dwarf, rescues the young barbarian Wulfgar from the icy ruins of Ten-Towns, binding him to five years of service-and an eventual friendship. Under Bruenor's guidance and with the unexpected aid of Drizzt Do'Urden, Wulfgar evolves from a fierce but unrefined warrior into one of formidable skill and intellect.
Salvatore's strength lies in his ability to craft characters that resonate with readers, and even in this early installment, Drizzt emerges as a standout figure-a morally complex dark elf striving to overcome his heritage and find his place in a world that fears and mistrusts him. The dynamic between the three main characters is compelling, blending camaraderie, conflict, and mutual respect as they face the growing threat of the crystal shard.
As an audiobook, The Crystal Shard benefits from skilled narration that brings the harsh beauty of Icewind Dale to life and gives voice to Salvatore's vivid cast. The pacing keeps listeners engaged through moments of quiet character development and intense action alike.
This novel stands as both an entry point for newcomers to Salvatore's world and a nostalgic return for longtime fans. It captures the essence of classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy while planting the seeds for deeper themes of redemption, loyalty, and identity that would define the author's later works. For those new to Drizzt Do'Urden or looking to revisit the start of his legend, The Crystal Shard offers a solid and satisfying beginning.
Pink Nightmare
Audiobooks made convenient โ this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Scrapple
I'm no longer missing out on great stories โ this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBookโs interface is beautiful and functional. Itโs my favorite app for audiobooks.
Miss Murder
๐ฑ Carrying stories in my pocket โ this app's convenience is a game-changer! ๐๐๏ธ Navigating audiobooks seamlessly โ this app's design is top-notch.
GiddeeUP
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits โ so cool! With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light.
2nd Hand Joe
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
New York Mood
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. I love how I can create playlists. Itโs perfect for organizing my books.
Hitch Frenzy
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in โ all thanks to this app. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Duchess
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ๐ Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores โ pure joy! ๐๐ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ๐๐ The interface is sleek and modern. Itโs a joy to use.
Pinup Diva
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations โ it's like the app knows me! ListenBookโs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Spellbinder
The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
High Deck
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights โ I'm never without a good story. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. ListenBook is packed with useful features. Itโs the best audiobook app Iโve used. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Universe Bullet
The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Guncap Slingbad
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
CuriousCrafter
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. 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.
InfinityInsight
Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
White Snare
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
Osprey
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Low Menace
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier โ this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. ๐ง๐๏ธ
Daffy Neo
No more worries about compatibility โ ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Seamless audiobook integration โ this app's functionality is a technological marvel. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Abiss
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
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