Book description
Imagine sitting in a quiet room, the mountain air of 1942 whispering through your headphones. Maggie Stiefvater's The Listeners isn't just a novel you read-it's a world you step into, perfectly realized for the ear. The Avallon Hotel & Spa, perched in West Virginia's wilds, feels alive, its polished halls and mountain springs almost tangible in the narrator's voice. You hear June Porter Hudson's quiet strength as she guides the hotel through war's first tremors, her local roots grounding her even as she navigates high society's fading luxuries.
Then, the tension snaps. The Gilfoyles, the aristocratic owners, make a secret deal: house captured Axis diplomats. June, who's spent years making every guest feel cherished, now faces the impossible task of offering luxury to the enemy while her own staff-mothers, wives, sisters-wait anxiously for sons and husbands at the front. The weight of it isn't stated; it's in the pause before her next polite word, the slight tremor in her voice as she greets a German diplomat. You feel her calculation: How much can I give without breaking?
Enter FBI Agent Tucker Minnick. His coal tattoo, a whisper of his Appalachian past, hints at a hidden world. His mission? Listen. But his own secret-about the Avallon's sweetwater, a source of healing that can also threaten-makes him a silent witness to June's tightrope walk. The audiobook masterfully uses sound to build this: the creak of old hotel floors, the distant rumble of a train carrying soldiers, the almost-silent crackle of tension in a hallway where diplomats whisper.
What makes this audiobook exceptional is how it turns setting into character. The mountain springs aren't just water; they're a living thing, their dual nature echoing the hotel's fragile peace. You hear the drip of the springs in the background during quiet moments, a subtle reminder of the danger beneath the surface. The narrator doesn't just tell you June is brave; they let you feel her resolve in the way she steadies her voice when speaking to a diplomat who's just admitted to the war, or when she quietly reassures a staff member who's terrified for her son.
Stiefvater's gift is making you care about the small, human moments-the way June remembers a guest's favorite tea, the way Tucker hesitates before sharing his own secret. The audiobook amplifies this. You lean in, not just for the plot, but for the sound of June's quiet courage, the subtle shift in Tucker's tone when he realizes he's not just listening to secrets, but to a woman holding a world together. It's a story about loyalty, cost, and the quiet power of hospitality in the darkest times. And in this audiobook, you don't just hear it-you feel the Avallon's heartbeat, steady and strong, right alongside June. It's a listening experience that lingers long after the final word.
TrixiePhany
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. ππ Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Old Orange Eyes
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable.
Sun Washer
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Lady Pomegranate
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
BoomerBox
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience.
Abyss Tamer
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. 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!
Kinged
Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Grinch Cheese
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning.
Nutmeg Riot
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
MuseMaster
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
Gunhawk
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
Mad Viral
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
Romance Guppy
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Speedwell
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ
Tall Sally
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Zero Charisma
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ
Canine Hannibal
Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Rusty Vortex
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Uncle Buddy
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Soda Delirium
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
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