94 Books Like The Listeners

It takes a lot for me to read and love a novel about the US Civil War. The Jackal's Mistress exceeded my expectations in every way. It's not a thriller or a page-turner, really, and yet I couldn't put it down; I cared that much about the characters and what might happen to them. I love stories where "good" people are placed in excruciatingly impossible situations and forced to question their own humanity and morality, and this is one of those.

This is another one where the characters far outshine the plot—there IS a plot here, about a secret that keeps two Ohio families bound together over three generations, but the characters in all their humanity and vulnerability are what kept me reading. You'll fall in love with them (or hate them, in some cases)—and I guarantee the ending of this will make you cry, in a good way.

I had never heard of the capaill uisce, the malevolent water-horses of Celtic folklore, before reading The Scorpio Races.

These creatures are magnificent, but also, as I’ve said, malicious. I just think that combination is so interesting!

We love horses; we love magical creatures; but these are something else again—mythical creatures that reflect the complexity of life in this world.

Anyway, Stiefvater makes the most of this rich tradition in a stunningly beautiful young adult novel about love, about courage, about conflicting loyalties, about dreams of glory, about the challenges of survival versus the claims of integrity. And a thrilling race!

This is one of my very favorite water-creature stories. Unforgettable!

This is a very different kind of story - reminiscent of Inkheart, which I read in childhood. This series felt fresh and the unbelievable became quite believable.

I originally picked up this book because it was about wolves and a girl who is captivated by them. I greatly enjoyed the depth of Ms. Stiefvater’s characters.

This story is a young adult paranormal romance with a twist of humor and a dash of adventure. It captivated me until the very end, and I immediately downloaded Book 2. For anyone in search of a sweet, beautiful romance, this book is for you.

This young adult novel knocked me out.

It takes place on a small, rocky island, but its themes are huge: revenge; desire; love; jealousy; power; bondage, and transformation. It’s a multi-generational tale that traces an infinitesimally slow-bending arc toward compassion, catharsis, and the restoration of order.

There is a witch who can summon beautiful women out of their bodies as seals; there are the seal-women, themselves, and the men who love them; there are the children, part-selkie, part human.

I loved that, though much evil is done, none of the principal characters are purely evil or good. The prose itself is so beautiful, I sometimes had to stop and reread passages; I didn’t want to let them go. Many spells are cast within this story, and the story itself cast a spell on me. I felt larger after having read it. Maybe a bit wiser, too?

What a stunning book!

This is a beloved book for many, but I love it so much because both of the characters are so unlikeable—yet you fall in love with them. I also love the conflict and the dueling, strong personalities of Scarlet and Rhett.

The plot is full of emotion and passion, and yet there are no sex scenes, which is another reason why I like it so much.

Three worlds in one book! There’s the not-so-important world of the Ancelstierre, roughly Edwardian or early-20th-Century-ish, and there’s the Old Kingdom, basically medieval, where Charter Magic wars with Free Magic (and how well Nix thinks through the workings of his forms of magic).

But the third world is the one that takes the cake! An underworld of the dead, with its different levels, gates, and sills. Sabriel discovers her own special inheritance and powers—OK, that’s standard fantasy fare, except that Sabriel’s powers are those of an abhorsen. It’s the Abhorsen’s role to make sure that the dead stay dead, and journey on down into the deeper levels of death. Of course, the dead who keep coming back are the ones who drive the narrative!

This is an unlikely story, yet it is also a true one. Harry de Leyer, a Dutch immigrant, saved a horse named Snowman from the slaughterhouse. Harry trained Snowman to become a show-jumping champion. This is a story about an incredible long shot and about a man who believed in his horse. What’s not to love?

I am a third-generation horsewoman, and I grew up hearing stories about the “great horses.” I remember my mother sharing the tale of Snowman and Harry de Leyer with me. For the most part, equestrian stars are incredibly expensive, pedigreed animals. Snowman, in contrast, pulled a plow. The story of Snowman makes it seem possible that we can also find or encounter our own magical plow horse who can carry us to the rarified air of the top of the equestrian world.

This novel captivates readers with its unique premise, profound character development, and emotional depth. I found myself deeply engrossed in the story and its themes, which resonate on multiple levels.

The novel's premise is both intriguing and thought-provoking. Samantha Kingston, the protagonist, relives the last day of her life seven times. This concept immediately draws readers in, as we are eager to see how each iteration of the day unfolds and what changes Sam will make. The idea of having the chance to correct one's mistakes and make amends is a powerful one, and it is executed brilliantly in the narrative.

Character development is another strong point of the novel. Sam starts as a typical high school girl, concerned with popularity and superficial matters. However, as she relives her final day, she undergoes significant growth. She becomes more empathetic, self-aware, and reflective. This transformation is compelling and makes her a… show more.