Book description
Okay, so let me tell you about this wild ride called Hell's Heart - and yes, I'm talking about the audiobook because trust me, you're going to want someone narrating this chaos.
Alexis Hall has cooked up something absolutely bonkers here, mixing Gideon the Ninth's gothic space weirdness with Moby Dick's obsessive quest narrative. We're talking about a future where Earth's basically toast, and humanity's scraping by harvesting this mind-bending substance called spermaceti from massive whale-like creatures floating around Jupiter's atmosphere.
The narrator - and I love that Hall just goes with "I" - finds herself broke and bored planetside, so she signs onto this hunting ship, the Pequod. Classic mistake, right? But then she gets sucked into Captain A's orbit, and things get properly unhinged. This captain is your standard charismatic lunatic, the type who makes everyone believe in her mission even when it's clearly heading off the rails.
What really grabbed me was how the story dives deeper into Jupiter's atmosphere - literally and figuratively. The closer they get to these Leviathans, the more everything starts unraveling. The narrator's reality gets all fuzzy, which honestly makes perfect sense given what they're dealing with.
But here's where it gets interesting: there's this character Q, survivor from Old Earth with these glowing holographic tattoos, and she becomes the narrator's anchor to actual sanity. Their connection feels real and complicated in a way that cuts through all the cosmic horror madness.
The audiobook format really works for this story. You need that voice pulling you along through the atmospheric weirdness and the captain's increasingly unhinged monologues. It's the kind of book that makes you slightly uncomfortable about how much you're enjoying the chaos.
Hall's taken some serious risks blending genres like this, and honestly? They pay off beautifully. This isn't your typical space opera - it's messier, more personal, and way more unsettling.
Moon Cricket
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. 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!
Mt. Indiana
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Wooden German
Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Nueva Nova
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure.
Spooky Yellowjacket
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Vortex
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Sofa King
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Hang 11
Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Gingersnap Woman
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities.
NightWonka
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Whistler
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
ThoughtTracer
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. 💼 Enhancing work-from-home productivity – audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. 💻📖 Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance!
Whipsaw
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. 💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Firefly Caramel
💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Indigo Red
This app's compatibility with different formats has made my audiobook collection diverse and enjoyable. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Stud Buster
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest!
Junkyard Dog
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Peanut Butter Woman
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Spunky Comet
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. The narrator's voice was so pleasant and easy to listen to. They had perfect pacing and made even the slower parts engaging. I found myself looking forward to my commute just to listen more!
Kill Switch
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience.
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