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.
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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