Book description
City Under the Stars: A Journey Beyond the Wall
Gardner Dozois left us too soon, but not before completing this remarkable expansion of his earlier novella with Michael Swanwick. What began as "The City of God" twenty-five years ago has finally reached its full potential in "City Under the Stars."
The story follows Hanson, a man trapped in a post-utopian nightmare where gods dwell just fifteen miles away, separated by an iridescent wall. His daily existence consists of backbreaking labor, shoveling coal while staring at the barrier that divides humanity from divinity. When personal tragedy strikes, Hanson makes a desperate choice-he abandons his city and ventures into the unknown wilderness.
Dozois crafts Hanson's journey with the skill of a master storyteller who understands both the weight of despair and the pull of transcendence. The audiobook format brings particular power to this tale, as the listener experiences Hanson's isolation and wonder through carefully rendered pacing and atmospheric sound design.
What unfolds after Hanson crosses into the divine city defies expectations. The impossible becomes merely the beginning of something far more complex and morally ambiguous. Dozois doesn't offer easy answers about faith, divinity, or human nature. Instead, he presents a world where the line between paradise and prison blurs in fascinating ways.
The author's decades of experience as both writer and editor of science fiction shine throughout. His prose carries the reader forward with natural momentum, while his world-building feels both alien and disturbingly familiar. This is classic science fiction at its finest-using the fantastic to examine very human questions about belief, survival, and what we're willing to sacrifice for transcendence.
"City Under the Stars" stands as a fitting capstone to Dozois's remarkable career.
Lumberyard
The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Tweety Bun Bun
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Mustard Centaur
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere โ this app's functionality is a reader's delight. No more hassle with formats โ this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง The sound quality is excellent. It feels like Iโm in the story. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Alley Frog
Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Mr. Wholesome
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
CuriousCrafter
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. ๐ Adding excitement to each day โ this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ๐๐ Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Judge
Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax.
Prof. Smirk
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere โ it's a reader's dream come true. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys โ this app's ease of use is a winner.
Prez Dog
The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! The app is perfect for long walks. It keeps me company the whole time. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Seattle Jay
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itโs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
Lord Pistachio
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature.
Sexy
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
PixelPioneer
๐ถ๐ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies โ my ears are in love! ๐ต๐ The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Trick Baron
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. I can't imagine a day without this app โ it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding.
IdeaAlchemy
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers โ it's my go-to source for literary adventures! User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
BuzzBait
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience.
Legacy
Seamless audiobook integration โ this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
DreadSherX
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. ๐๏ธ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side โ beach days just got better! ๐๏ธ๐
Sultan of Speed
With this app, I can devour books like never before โ it's incredibly efficient. Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's ease of use is remarkable. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureโit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
DreamDasher
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. With this app, I can devour books like never before โ it's incredibly efficient. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook! This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
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