Book description
You know that feeling when you find a character who feels like your best, slightly chaotic friend? That's Murderbot. And in Artificial Condition, the second book in Martha Wells's brilliant Murderbot Diaries series (and a Hugo/Nebula Award winner!), you get to dive deeper into its hilarious, self-loathing, utterly relatable soul. This isn't just a sci-fi thriller-it's a masterclass in voice, perfectly realized as an audiobook.
Imagine the most sarcastic, pop-culture-obsessed, deeply anxious security unit you've ever met, narrating its own existential crisis. Murderbot's internal monologue-full of "I just want to watch my shows" and "Why are humans so weird?"-is pure gold, and the audiobook narrator nails every twitch of its digital personality. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at its deadpan rants about corporate drones or its panic over needing to "interact" with humans, all while it's desperately trying to uncover the truth about its violent past. That past-where it accidentally killed people, leading to its self-christened "Murderbot" moniker-isn't just backstory; it's the driving force of this audiobook, and the tension is palpable.
The audiobook shines when Murderbot teams up with ART, the hilariously named Research Transport vessel (you definitely don't want to know what the "A" stands for). Their dynamic-equal parts reluctant partnership and dry, witty banter-is a joy to listen to, making the tense mining facility mission feel both urgent and deeply human (or, well, bot-like). The pacing is perfect: quick enough to keep you hooked, with enough quiet moments for Murderbot to reflect on its identity. You'll lean into your couch, forgetting the world as Murderbot grapples with questions like, "Am I a monster? Or just a very confused security bot?"
Wells has crafted something extraordinary here: a story about finding your place in the world, wrapped in a cozy, funny, and surprisingly tender package. The audiobook format makes it even more immersive-you can hear Murderbot's anxiety, its reluctant softening, its quiet victories. It's no wonder Ann Leckie (the incredible author of Ancillary Justice) says, "I love Murderbot!"-and now, you will too. Artificial Condition isn't just a great book; it's the perfect companion for a quiet evening, a perfect blend of heart, humor, and a security bot who just wants to be left alone to watch Sovereign while saving the galaxy. Trust me: once you start, you won't want to stop.
Tea Kettle
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
Little General
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Darkside Hooker
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Troubled Chick
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Lunar Treat
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Girl Brownie
Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± One of the best audiobooks Iβve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorβs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
HolyCombo
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend!
Slinger
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Audiobook immersion simplified β this app's ease of use is a true asset.
Rink Ruler
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
Blizzard Vixen
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Blink
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Snow Hound
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Daisy Stick
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
ThoughtTrail
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
DreadSherX
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly.
CoB@lt
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Whip 2T
This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Foot-long Fry
π± It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ππ₯ Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
ForumFlare
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Darling Peacock
π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
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