Book description
Richard Cypher's sword reveals his soul? Oh, how delightfully cliché. Terry Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule arrives as an audiobook, and let's just say the narration leans hard into the "ancient, brooding, and utterly predictable" vibe. You've got your hero, Richard, a forest-dwelling woodsman whose life gets upended by a mysterious woman named Kahlan-whose sole purpose, apparently, is to be both a damsel and a plot device wrapped in a "dare not say" mystery. The audiobook's narrator, bless their heart, delivers every line like it's carved into a stone tablet: "His world... shattered." Sigh. You can practically hear the echo.
Goodkind's prose is a masterclass in overwriting. "Ancient debts come due with thundering violence" isn't just dramatic-it's the literary equivalent of shouting "BOO!" in a silent library. And the "soul-revealing sword" trope? It's less "deep character exploration" and more "plot armor for a protagonist who hasn't earned a single emotional beat." Kahlan's "secrets" are so thinly veiled they'd be obvious to a toddler. The audiobook leans into this, making every whispered "dare not say" feel like a punchline to a joke no one else gets.
What's truly fascinating is how the audiobook amplifies the book's flaws. The slow, deliberate pacing? Perfect for highlighting how little actually happens. Richard stands around pondering his sword while the world burns, and the narrator makes it feel like a philosophical summit. Meanwhile, Kahlan's "betrayal" is less a twist and more a narrative shrug-her "best of hearts" conveniently failing when the plot needs her to be mysterious. The book's "dark age" setting? More like a generic fantasy theme park with extra angst.
But here's the thing: Wizard's First Rule is so committed to its own absurdity that it becomes unintentionally hilarious. The audiobook's earnest delivery makes the dialogue land like a slapstick comedy. "Falling in love would destroy them-for reasons Richard can't imagine and Kahlan dare not say." Yes, because clearly, the only thing standing between them and a happily-ever-after is a 300-page misunderstanding about soul-revealing swords. It's not bad writing-it's writing so stubbornly unoriginal it's almost a parody of itself.
So, should you listen? If you enjoy the sound of your own eye-rolling echoing in the forest, absolutely. The audiobook's earnestness turns every overwrought line into a gift. It's the fantasy equivalent of a friend insisting their burnt toast is "artisanal." You'll cringe, you'll chuckle at how hard it's trying to be profound, and you'll probably skip ahead to the "battle" scenes just to hear the narrator say "THUNDERING VIOLENCE" one more time. It's not a legend yet-it's a cautionary tale about how to write a book that's so sure of itself, it forgets to be interesting. But hey, at least the narrator's commitment to "dare not say" is impeccable. One book. One rule: skip the audiobook, but if you must, bring snacks for the eye-rolling.
SWAT Honey
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app – it's a companion. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
StormCake
Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Soda Delirium
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Miss Lucky
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Foot-long Fry
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Master Jetson
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
RoarSweetie
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧
Easy Mac
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Tomcat
With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
LerveDr
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Sofa King
With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
NightDream
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Mantis Queen
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Kitchen
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner.
Bowler
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
180
Noise reduction on ListenBook enhances the clarity of dictaphone recordings, allowing me to enjoy content even in noisy environments. 🌟 Embracing reading in the busiest of times – this app is my everyday escape! 📚🏃♀️ Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Pocket Mazda
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Force
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. 🎉🎧
Juice Petite
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Drift
I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
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