Book description
The True Bastards by Jonathan French
Leadership is a dirty business. Fetching knows this better than most.
French builds on the foundation laid in The Grey Bastards with surgical precision. The Lot Lands feel lived-in, worn down by years of conflict and scarcity. His half-orcs aren't noble savages or cartoon villains-they're survivors scraping by on stubbornness and violence.
What sets this apart is how French handles power dynamics. Fetching's rise from rider to leader isn't painted as heroic. She's exhausted, constantly second-guessed, and fighting against both external enemies and internal dissent. The weight of command shows in every decision, every compromise.
The audiobook format serves French's prose well. His dialogue crackles with authenticity-gritted teeth and bitter humor. Narration captures the harsh cadence of life in the Lots without overplaying the brutality.
Character development feels organic rather than forced. Fetching's struggles with authority mirror the broader themes of legitimacy and belonging that run throughout the narrative. Supporting characters earn their moments without overshadowing the central conflict.
French excels at world-building through implication. He trusts readers to piece together the larger picture from fragments-old grudges, half-remembered histories, whispered rumors. This approach makes the setting feel expansive without info-dumping.
The plot moves with purpose. Political maneuvering blends seamlessly with action sequences. When violence erupts, it matters. Stakes feel real because consequences linger.
The True Bastards succeeds as both sequel and standalone story. New readers can jump in without feeling lost. Returning fans will appreciate how French deepens existing relationships while expanding the scope of the conflict.
This isn't comfort food fantasy. It's lean, mean, and occasionally brilliant. French writes like someone who understands that the best stories come from characters who have everything to lose and nothing left to give.
StormCake
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
DZE
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable.
Flame OUT
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
Super Flick
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable!
CuriousCoder
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem.
Sokol
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a creative feature that adds a personal touch to the experience.
Chicago Blackout
ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off.
King Panther
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Racy Babe
π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§ Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Breadmaker
π Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! ππ« Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Sweet Bacon
π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
21st Street
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator.
Married Man
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app. 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!
Buckshot
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy.
Muzish
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π Tone adjustment adds a new layer of personalization to my audiobook experience. It's like having the narrator tailor the voice to my preferences. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Electric Saturn
ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. ListenBookβs CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
Wooden Man
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience.
K-Tin Man
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. πΆββοΈπ Walking my way through exciting narratives β this app makes exercise more fun! ποΈπ§ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Girl Brownie
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
MysticMingle
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
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