Book description
The First Bright Thing Review
J.R. Dawson's debut novel hit me like a perfectly executed trapeze act-unexpected, breathtaking, and impossible to forget.
Ringmaster Rin possesses a gift that would make any performer jealous: she can leap through time itself. Leading the Circus of the Fantasticals with her wife Odette, Rin has created something magical in post-World War I America-a sanctuary for Sparks, those blessed and cursed with extraordinary abilities.
The story unfolds like a series of interconnected performances, each chapter building tension as Rin navigates between her present circus and glimpses of a dark future. Dawson's background in theater shines through every page, transforming what could have been a simple fantasy into an intimate character study wrapped in spectacle.
What makes this audiobook particularly compelling is how Dawson balances wonder with genuine threat. The Circus of the Fantasticals isn't just a whimsical escape-it's a fragile refuge threatened by forces both temporal and malicious. Rin's nemesis, a shadowy ringmaster from her past, looms over the narrative like a storm cloud, making every moment of joy feel precious and temporary.
The prose moves with the same fluid grace as Odette's trapeze work, never losing sight of the human cost behind the magic. Dawson understands that the most powerful stories aren't about spectacle alone, but about the people who create it. Each character feels lived-in and authentic, their supernatural abilities serving the deeper story of found family and survival.
This isn't just fantasy-it's a meditation on how we face tomorrow when we can see the darkness coming.
Black Firefly
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Dahlia
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
Intimidating Presence
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Hyper
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Mr. Wholesome
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧
Blade
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Beetle King
ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Shady Lady
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
PixelPioneer
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats.
Lil Rebel Ma
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. 💼 Workday blues? Not anymore – this app turns my office hours into reading time! 💻📖 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
FlyGuardX
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Round Kick Boomer
Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Gumby Train
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
Spooky Yellowjacket
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. 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! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Miss Murder
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Morbid Sugar
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. 📱 My secret to staying well-read – this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! 📚📱 With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Sloth
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. 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.
Hobo Samurai
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Romance Princess
Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Emerald Vine
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
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