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.
Swedish Twizz
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session.
Twitch
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant โ it's that good! Navigating audiobooks seamlessly โ this app's design is top-notch.
Grave Digger
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
Apex
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ๐ Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks โ this app turns errands into epic quests! ๐๐ Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Wanted Candy
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Mr. Peppermint
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Divine Quasar
This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Blizzard Vixen
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Electric Saturn
Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Sir Shove
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
Steel Cut Toe
Audiobook joy made simple โ this app's ease of use is commendable. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ๐๐ง
Dark Matter
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
101
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Freak
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ๐๐ง The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
FRMhndshk
Audiobook immersion without fuss โ this app's ease of use is commendable. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
East Army
I'm no longer missing out on great stories โ this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Walking and listening has never been this smooth โ this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ๐๏ธ๐
Renegade Slugger
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. 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.
Aqua Monsoon
I'm no longer missing out on great stories โ this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips.
PixelPioneer
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. I canโt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
B@d B0y
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks โ nature and narratives, a perfect match! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐ง Audiobook multitasking made simple โ this app's design is a game-changer. Savoring audiobooks without fuss โ this app's design is impressive. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
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