Book description
The Kingdom of Back Review
Marie Lu doesn't just write stories-she orchestrates them. In The Kingdom of Back, she conducts a symphony of ambition, sacrifice, and sibling rivalry that cuts straight to the heart.
Nannerl Mozart isn't just a historical footnote here-she's a force. A musical prodigy trapped by the cruel mathematics of 18th-century society, where genius isn't enough if you're born with the wrong anatomy. Lu makes you feel every crushing moment as Nannerl watches her dreams evaporate while her younger brother Wolfgang steps into the spotlight she was born to claim.
But this isn't merely historical fiction. When the mysterious stranger from the Kingdom of Back appears, offering Nannerl everything she's ever wanted, Lu transforms her story into something darker and more dangerous. The price of fame isn't just paid in coin-it's paid in blood, betrayal, and the very essence of who you are.
Lu's background in gaming shines through in the world-building, crafting a magical realm that feels both fantastical and terrifyingly real. Her prose sings with the same musicality she attributes to her characters, each sentence carefully composed to build tension and emotion.
The relationship between Nannerl and Wolfgang crackles with authentic sibling complexity-love, resentment, protectiveness, and competition all warring for dominance. Lu refuses to make either character the villain or hero. They're simply human, flawed, and achingly real.
For anyone who's ever felt their light dimmed by circumstances beyond their control, The Kingdom of Back offers something powerful: the dangerous allure of having your deepest wish granted at any cost.
Kickstart
With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Y0dler
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
FireBerry
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Ozzie Treat
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Hoboken Nightingale
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
Athens Fire
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. 📚✨ I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Frosty
📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening.
Spoiler
ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Ozzie Treat
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch.
Papa Smurf
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Drift
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Murmur
Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Fire Feline
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Backstreet
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
Kimono Goddess
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
ByteBard
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience.
Zod
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Peanut Butter Woman
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
London Fox
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
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