Book description
I was scrolling through the library's new releases when I stumbled across "Tress of the Emerald Sea." The cover was a splash of green, and the subtitle promised a fresh spin on the Cosmere that would feel like a breezy, island-tale adventure. As soon as the book's description hit my screen, I heard my inner audiobook reviewer jump to life.
From the get-go, the narrative is clear: Tress, a simple island girl who collects cups and listens to stories from sailors, is suddenly thrust into a quest when her friend Charlie's father takes him aboard a ship in search of a bride. The stakes raise when disaster strikes, forcing Tress to hide aboard the same vessel and chase the mysterious Sorceress of the Midnight Sea. The setting of "spore oceans," where even a single drop can kill, creates an atmosphere that's both beautiful and dangerous. The pirates that roam those waters add a lively edge, reminiscent of the swashbuckling spirit of The Princess Bride-and that's exactly the hook the description offers for fans of that classic.
Listening to the audiobook, the narration breathes life into the island's vibrant world. The voice used for Tress feels genuine and curious, capturing her "simple pleasures" and her excitement about the unknown. The background sound effects, a subtle ocean hum and occasional gull cries, pull the listener into that emerald-green sea. When the plot turns toward the sorceress, the tone shifts, and the narrator's pacing heightens the suspense without losing the lyrical quality of Sanderson's prose.
I also appreciated how the book sits comfortably within the larger Cosmere tapestry, yet remains a standalone. Sanderson's signature world-building shows through subtly: references to the magic system, the way the island's cups are crafted, and the very name of the Midnight Sea. Yet the story is accessible, not requiring any prior knowledge of the Stormlight Archive or Mistborn. For someone who has only read The Princess Bride, this book feels like a gentle but thrilling bridge into a richer, magical universe.
The pacing is steady, with well-timed twists. The stowaway scene is a highlight; the tension of hiding on a ship while pirates roam feels taut, and the narrator's delivery makes it palpable. The climax-confronting the sorceress-balances action with emotional resonance, letting the listener feel Tress's growth from an island child to a woman who's taken charge of her destiny.
What makes this audiobook stand out is the harmony between story and sound. The narration doesn't overdo it; it matches the narrative's ebb and flow. The soundtrack underlies moments of calm with gentle waves and escalates during battles. This attention to detail keeps the listener engaged throughout the 20-plus hour runtime.
Overall, "Tress of the Emerald Sea" delivers on its promise: a fresh, whimsical adventure that echoes the charm of The Princess Bride while adding depth through the Cosmere's expansive world. For audiophiles looking for a tale of island adventure, unexpected bravery, and the thrill of the sea, this book is a solid choice. If you're a Sanderson fan or simply love a good, character-driven story, this audiobook is ready to ship into your collection.
Juno Cream
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook!
Lady In Red
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. 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!
Feline Devil
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
HolyCombo
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
Parallax Sugar
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant!
Blood Taker
Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
MythMaker
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable.
Potato Sub
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ± ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion.
FireBrang
This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
ThoughtTrailblazer
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Judge
Audiobook pleasure without the fuss β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
SpellTansy
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. 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!
Crossing Guard
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Audiobook immersion made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Feral Mayhem
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable.
Prof. Smirk
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Midnight Rambler
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
The Shield Toronto
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Street Jolly
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
FLAK Angel
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Prof. Smirk
I can now explore books beyond my preferred genre, broadening my reading horizons. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a winner.
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