Book description
Edward McKeown's "Hidden Stars" serves up space opera with all the subtlety of a laser cannon to the face, and somehow that's exactly what makes it work. While the author dangles Shasti Rainhell over yet another existential crisis in the vastness of space, you can practically hear the audiobook narrator's voice cracking under the weight of McKeown's relentless plot contrivances.
The beauty of this fourth installment lies in how it gleefully ignores the concept of character development fatigue. Here's Shasti, supposedly rebuilding her life (again), only to be dragged back into Mandela's web of suicidal missions. It's like watching someone escape a toxic relationship only to immediately fall into an identical one with better special effects.
McKeown's greatest strength is his commitment to absurdity. A warship from the galactic core? Check. Robot body philosophical debates? Absolutely. Mikhail Vaugh randomly appearing to chaos-ify everything? Why not? The audiobook format actually enhances these ridiculous moments, turning what could be eye-rolling scenes into legitimately entertaining theatrical performances.
The real charm killer is how seriously everyone takes their own melodrama while the plot hurtles forward like a freight train powered by deus ex machina fuel. Shasti's romantic interest in a linguist feels as forced as her previous dozen relationships, but there's something endearingly honest about McKeown's refusal to pretend his characters aren't puppets dancing to the tune of convenient plot devices.
If you're looking for nuanced science fiction, keep looking. But if you want three credit hours of explosions, philosophical robots having identity crises, and Shasti Rainhell once again saving the universe while wearing approximately three too many plot armor pieces, this audiobook delivers exactly what it promises: beautifully narrated nonsense.
HOV
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. π± Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward β this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ππ« ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
RawSkills
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
ByteBard
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Scratch Man
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
NightWonka
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats means I can now enjoy all my favorite audiobooks in one place. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer! The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Eerie
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Carrot Joker
With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Bowler
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
Gothic Slacker
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ
Soda Delirium
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off β no more searching for my spot! With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Gro
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
FireBerry
π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier β this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. π±π§ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Valley Guardian
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Kamikaze Grandma
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Plum Moon
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBookβs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
Plegasus
Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Sugar Hiccup
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Squatch
I can't get enough of this app's versatile features β from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
CoB@lt
πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
DreamWeaver
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. 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!
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