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.
Acid Queen
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Pepper Legs
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts.
Twister Hero
No more hassle with formats β this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
Sleek Assassin
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
California Goddess
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
LunaStar
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Mr. Fabulous
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Desert Haze
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
57 Pixels
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Killer Grenade
is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Granola
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Whipsaw
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Yellow Menace
The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. 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!
Swedish Pixie
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best.
Athena Star
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ
Betty Cricket
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's design is a reader's dream. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
RawSkills
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. π± An entire library at my fingertips β this app is a book lover's dream come true! ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Desert Haze
π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Prometheus
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection.
Solo Kill
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
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