# The Palace Project — user reviews > 270 indexed App Store user reviews of The Palace Project by The Palace Project, rated 4.60/5 from 4,770 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-palace-project/id1574359693/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-palace-project/id1574359693.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 3,731 · 4★ 585 · 3★ 233 · 2★ 101 · 1★ 120 ## What do users think of The Palace Project? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Great selection of books - 💡 Convenient access to library books - 👍 Simple and easy to use **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent glitches and bugs - 🔋 High battery consumption - 🔍 Poor search functionality - 🤯 Inconsistent user experience **Commonly reported bugs** - Books not downloading properly - Losing place in audiobooks - Crashing and freezing issues - Incompatibility with certain devices **Most requested features** - Ability to track read/listened books - Improved audiobook playback controls - Dark mode option - Integration with Kindle ## Newest reviews (24 of 270) ### 2/5 — Way too glitchy *2026-08-16, version 3.2.3* I initially loved this app. I still appreciate the fact that I can get free audiobooks, but it is way too glitchy on my iPhone. At times it overheats my iPhone, and at other times I can’t switch from one app to another without it starting over at the previous chapter. It has difficulty keeping track of where I’m at in the book and I’m constantly having to forward. Most recently, I can be listening on the app and open up my messages and it immediately goes back to the beginning of the chapter. Super frustrating. ### 3/5 — Ugh *2026-08-12, version 3.2.3* I love the available options on Palace, but it’s so hard to listen to audiobooks. It jumps around and constantly loses the place you were at. PLEASE fix it. I shouldn’t have to add a bookmark every 5 min out of fear of losing my place. It also deleted downloads randomly so I have to wait all over again and get a ton of error messages before it will finally work. The app is too glitchy ### 4/5 — Dark Mode *2026-08-12, version 3.2.3* Desperately, desperately needs dark mode! I read on this app at night mostly, and it would be so much better with a dark mode! I do like that you can switch between libraries in your network easily, and the selection is vast…but dark mode would make it perfect! Please? ### 3/5 — Great app but lots of bugs *2026-08-03, version 3.2.1* I love palace and have been using for a number of years. Lately though I’ve had a lot of trouble loading and listening to audiobooks. I hope this will be fixed soon, it’s made for a frustrating experience and I don’t want to give up on the app. ### 2/5 — This App Stinks *2026-07-29, version 3.2.1* I really wish our library system would move to another app. This one literally heats up my phone after 20min of use & quits. I’ve tried rebooting it and it does it every time without fail and it’s always this app. Please consider moving to a different one! ### 3/5 — Very basic for audio books *2026-07-27, version 3.2.1* I appreciate that there are bookmarks and at least there is a sleep timer, but a fixed 30 second rewind/advance is too much when you miss a couple words and need to jump back. Likewise, the smallest selection for the sleep timer is 15 min - too coarse. Often the timer selection takes many taps to register the selection and the bookmark button doesn’t respond. The slider for moving around in a chapter doesn’t update the time while moving it, so you can’t see how far you’ve moved it. The book stops playing if you go back to the general list of books display. That doesn’t show how far through you are, either as a percentage or time display. ### 4/5 — Love the options they offer but … *2026-07-21, version 3.2.0* Would be nice if it would show you the books you already checked out Like a time line of when things got returned ### 2/5 — Barely functional *2026-07-20, version 3.2.0* Two stars for the huge book selection which is why I downloaded, but the functionality of the app is incredibly poor. Every single time I try to play audiobooks that I’ve checked out, the app says the audiobooks are unavailable and to try later; it takes a very frustrating amount of time restarting the app to get it to play (I’ve spent up to 30 minutes at a given time just trying to get anything to play). Other bugs include having to manually move to the next chapter because it’ll stop at the end of chapters and sometimes it will start jumping around the chapter. The app also will get up to 98% of downloading the book to the device and stop so it never actually downloads. This would be such a great app given the selection, but at this point it’s not worth the frustration. I hope these issues get solved & I can finish my book. ### 2/5 — Bare bones *2026-07-20, version 3.2.0* This app is as bare bones as it gets. You can barely filter, and when you do - the minute you select something to view and return to the list, the filtering is gone. And forget about sorting…there is NONE. As for information detail on the books, I’ve noticed several that had inaccurate data. For instance on Title: The Rumor Author: Elin Hilderbrand they have the publication date listed as 2026 when in fact it should be 2015. ### 2/5 — Almost impossible to use *2026-07-18, version 3.2.0* I have downloaded this app on 3 devices, one newer and two older. It is extremely slow or just never works and we have to close the app and start all over again. A very frustrating user experience. Not sure how much we'll use it. ### 2/5 — Idea great, but glitchy *2026-07-16, version 3.2.0* I love this idea, and if it worked properly, I would give it five stars. But it is prone to numerous glitches. It’s really frustrating. ### 2/5 — Really frustrating *2026-07-14, version 3.1.0* The app has a good selection, but is incredibly glitchy and frustrating! Problems include: *New iPhone draining at roughly 2% every few minutes *Causes my phone to overheat. It’s so hot you can hardly handle it *app crashes and just stops while NOT saving current place. *reverts to last chapter after current chapter ends. *randomly skips to another part. Really frustrating issues and use only as last resort for books. Super sad this has so many problems. ### 3/5 — Cool but Frustrating *2026-07-08, version 3.1.0* I like having access to more books from my library but some things frustrate me. When reading ebooks, moving to the next page frequently jumps me to middle of the book not the next page. I’ve updated the app and restarted my phone to no avail. Also, I would like to add books to lists like Libby. I see books I want to read later but can’t tag them so I remember. ### 4/5 — Need More Playback Speed Options & Historical Book Reads *2026-07-05, version 3.1.0* Would really like more Playback Speed Options to go along with author reading speeds. The 1.5 to 2.0 jump is way too much. Also wish there was a way to see what books you’ve read and returned. PLEASE MAKE A 1.75x PLAYBACK SPEED!!! ### 3/5 — Problems *2026-06-27, version 3.1.0* Frequently stops and loses its place when listening to audio books. Received only half of The Calamity Club. Would not download the whole audiobook so I had to return it and purchase it on Audible to listen to the last half. ### 4/5 — please add more speed options *2026-06-24, version 3.1.0* great app with good ui but NEEDS to have the options to put audio at faster speeds than 2x. please give the option for 3x or 4x speed. ### 2/5 — Glitchy *2026-06-23, version 3.1.0* Good since the app is free with my library access. However, many helpful features such as listening to an audiobook while browsing, tracking list of books you’ve read, liked or would like to borrow is missing. The app sometimes loses your place or the sound plays twice at the same time with an echo. I appreciate the feature to listen at higher speeds. I wish there was 1.75 and speeds higher than 2.0 ### 3/5 — Great selection but frequently difficult to play audiobooks *2026-06-23, version 3.1.0* I have been using the palace project for about 18 months and while I am very happy with the quality selection of audiobooks frequently I have to try and download the item several times as the book struggles to play audiobooks ### 2/5 — Ugh *2026-06-23, version 3.1.0* Selection is good but the app is glitchy. It will not sync between my iPad and my iPhone. When I try to search on my iPhone it keeps giving me error messages. There isn’t an easy way to see what books you have checked out if you have more than one library linked to the app. It repeats the first part of every chapter. ### 3/5 — Great catalogue seriously hurt by the quality-of-life features present in other apps. DEVS PLS READ *2026-06-18, version 3.1.0* This message is for the developers. The app is amazing, but it feels like it was designed by book lovers, not web designers. I want to love the app so much. I LOVE its selection and am so thankful for my access to it. BUT the more and more I use it the more and more frustrated I am with the app. Developers: please contract a web designer. Seriously. Seriously. Seriously. Please. Please. Please. The features that this app doesn’t have are mind boggling. Save a book to your wishlist; different playback speeds; author profiles; a renew feature; customizable reader controls. I can only find an incomplete list of books of an author by looking on the page for another book they wrote. Please. In web design, an extra click can cost companies millions of views. You have an amazing app that is KILLED by its lack of quality of life features present in other apps. ### 2/5 — Not good *2026-06-13, version 3.1.0* I’ve given this app more chances than it deserved. Constant error messages, even after just updating. Having to delete and redownload the app. Slow response from customer service. Stick with Libby or Hoopla. ### 3/5 — Unable to borrow *2026-06-13, version 3.1.0* I have only used a few times but when my books became available to borrow it just keeps spinning and nothing happens but would be nice if they had a way to contact someone for help as it is frustrating that it has also moved me back in line because I could not borrow it when it was ready. ### 3/5 — Getting better *2026-06-06, version 3.1.0* Just in the past few months I’ve seen major improvements and availability of titles in this app. However, it’s still nowhere near where I need it to be to actually continuously use it/rely on it for reading (especially series). There’s no way to suspend a hold - which makes it impossible to coordinate reading a series - especially when a single audiobook gets broken up into parts. I have no idea how long a hold will take and if it’s faster than I thought I lose out on the title if I’m not instantly ready. But an issue I think is even bigger for me is the lack of playback speed options. Every narrator is different and just having increments of .25x up to 2x speed is way too limiting. Increments of .10x would be more reasonable, but honestly .05x is perfect. I fear the books I’m listening to now may not be doable on this app because I cannot find a good listening speed. ### 3/5 — App User Experience *2026-06-06, version 3.1.0* The access to books, selections, etc. is amazing. The app has a some issues. It struggle with downloads, loading, not saving your location in audiobooks (just jumping all over the place), and the listening speed options are lacking (what about 1.6 - 1.9?? Jumping from 1.5 to 2x speed is wild). Hope updates and improved come soon because the access is amazing! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not playing *2026-07-24, version 3.2.1* Audiobook just isn’t playing. Just spinning, grayed out icons forever. ### 1/5 — So glitchy *2026-07-11, version 3.1.0* It gets 2 stars for book selection but I have so much trouble actually getting books to play (audiobooks). At least half (no hyperbole, literally half) of the time it just freezes up. When I check out a new book it has what can only be described as a panic attack and just doesn’t work. I thought it was because I had an old phone, but she was put out to pasture and I’m coming at you from a iPhone 17, brand new, and it still is just baaaaaaarely functional. It’s currently having a mental breakdown about playing a new book and I’m so annoyed I came to write a review. I’m going to keep using it despite my rage because the selection is good and way less wait time than Libby, and it’s free so how much can I really expect but just know there is hate in my heart when I press that icon. ### 1/5 — Audiobooks skip around *2026-07-05, version 3.1.0* No luck with audiobooks. Restarts chapters, skips around, keeps playing when paused, app doesn’t update and stays in the same spot even when the audio continues so you can’t pause in the right spot. Thought it was just me, but friend is having the same problem. ### 1/5 — This App is the Worst *2026-06-23, version 3.1.0* I've never used an app that fails so consistently and so spectacularly. I can't count the number of times I get a notification that a book is ready and then am unable to access it over and over again. That's just one of multiple issues. Do not recommend until they invest some real money and time improving the experience for users. ### 1/5 — Need Offline Downloads for Audiobooks *2026-06-05, version 3.1.0* Keep losing ability to listen to audiobook I rented. Have to keep deleting and reinstalling app daily to occasionally get access to audiobook and does not work well off mobile data ### 1/5 — Update *2026-04-27, version 2.2.4* I previously said that this is a terrible app. Now I can say without hesitation that it is the worse app of all time. Everytime I stop listening, I have to delete the app and reinstall it or else I have 2 reading going at the same time. Who thought it was even possible? ### 1/5 — The Palace app *2026-04-19, version 2.2.4* Terrible and not worth the aggravation. Simply does not work. The last audio book stoped after chapter one. ### 1/5 — No saves, no history *2026-04-04, version 2.2.4* Have had problems with missing table of contents and skipping chapters. Worst thing is there’s no reading history and no way to save titles for future reads. ### 1/5 — Rate the app not the idea *2026-03-22, version 2.2.2* The idea is fine, the app is terrible, yet so many reviews say “I love that it connects to the library…but the bugs..5 stars!” No. Tell the designers and the libraries this app is not functional if it isn’t functional. Right now, it won’t even connect so it’s 100% unfunctional, 1 star. On a good day it doesn’t deserve over 2 stars. Even simple features like search are terrible, reading and playback are awful…I would never use this app voluntarily but this is what the library is pushing at us now so here I am. ### 1/5 — Sign out *2026-03-22, version 2.2.2* Trying to get into app since last night and its like it froze. This morning same but apparently was signing me out. All it does is act like its loading but never does. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I like it. *2026-07-29, version 3.2.1* Like other library apps, it offers a full selection from my library. ### 5/5 — Covenant of water *2026-07-12, version 3.1.0* Very good I’ll be sorry when it’s done ### 5/5 — Getting better. *2026-05-17, version 3.0.2* It took a few weeks but the Palace team got some things fixed so the app works for me. They were responsive and didn’t ignore the glitches. Still wish for checkout history and ability to renew. But for a small team they are doing great! ### 5/5 — This is AMAZING *2026-04-29, version 2.2.4* Im sooooo happy I found out about this on Reddit! My library is Ventura County and, sorry, it’s pretty pathetic. Not a lot of readers here perhaps. ### 5/5 — Profound. *2026-04-13, version 2.2.4* Losing two children to suicide. One can no longer be enough or feel enough in an abysmal state. ### 5/5 — Library is great *2026-04-01, version 2.2.4* Library on your phone is even better ### 5/5 — The app is not functioning *2026-03-22, version 2.2.2* The app isn’t loading (since 3/21/ even after deleting and reinstalling. ### 5/5 — Feel good story *2026-03-22, version 2.2.2* This was a feel good story. It could be just me, but I found that it took a few chapters to understand what was going on but it was worth it. ### 5/5 — City of girls *2026-03-19, version 2.2.2* Amazing! ### 5/5 — An excellent free platform for accessing high quality books and media! *2026-03-02, version 2.2.0* The Palace Project is easy to use, well stocked and provides a valuable and much needed service. I can highly recommend using this valuable and truly free app. I am grateful for and appreciate the tremendous range of materials they make available to the public! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*