Book description
"A well-researched and well-told epic history. The Dark Queens brings these courageous, flawed, and ruthless rulers and their distant times back to life."--Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Figures The remarkable, little-known story of two trailblazing women in the Early Middle Ages who wielded immense power, only to be vilified for daring to rule. Brunhild was a foreign princess, raised to be married off for the sake of alliance-building. Her sister-in-law Fredegund started out as a lowly palace slave. And yet-in sixth-century Merovingian France, where women were excluded from noble succession and royal politics was a blood sport-these two iron-willed strategists reigned over vast realms, changing the face of Europe. The two queens commanded armies and negotiated with kings and popes. They formed coalitions and broke them, mothered children and lost them. They fought a decades-long civil war-against each other. With ingenuity and skill, they battled to stay alive in the game of statecraft, and in the process laid the foundations of what would one day be Charlemagne's empire. Yet after the queens' deaths-one gentle, the other horrific-their stories were rewritten, their names consigned to slander and legend. In The Dark Queens, award-winning writer Shelley Puhak sets the record straight. She resurrects two very real women in all their complexity, painting a richly detailed portrait of an unfamiliar time and striking at the roots of some of our culture's stubbornest myths about female power. The Dark Queens offers proof that the relationships between women can transform the world.
Old Felix
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Minty Devil
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. 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.
Esquire
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Solitaire
This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Black Walnut
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
CommandX
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Essex
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook.
DreamDasher
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment.
Sherwood Gladiator
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly.
Snapple Whistler
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Springheel Jack
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
High Heel Goddess
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
German Coach
πͺ Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features β audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! πΌπ§ ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
Sky Dahlia
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine β thank you! ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
K-Tin Man
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Liquid Science
With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Slinger
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
King Bass
π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Alias Stick
ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
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