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.
Low Voltage
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences.
Lady Katniss
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends โ and they all love it! I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Prometheus
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Troubled Pie
ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Mantis Queen
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization โ top-notch. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app โ it's like being in the story. Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Audiobook multitasking made easy โ this app's functionality is a marvel.
Spunky Chick
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Adjusting the tone of the voice adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I love the personalization!
Fire Sass
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ๐๏ธ๐ง Packing for vacation just got better โ this app is my getaway entertainment! ๐ด๐ 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!
The China Wall
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance โ it's a must-have for any reader. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines โ it's pure bliss. ๐ฑ Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward โ this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. ๐๐ซ ๐ผ Making every minute count โ this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. ๐ฑ๐ The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
Moonflower
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Versace-Cat
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true โ no more hassles! I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse.
Gentle Avenger
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itโs great for when I zone out.
Kawaii Red
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. ๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly.
Brick Mooch
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Papa Smurf
Audiobooks have never been this engaging โ this app takes them to the next level. Good for background listening. I didnโt get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narratorโs voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Venious
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
RZRWRE
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. ๐๐ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier โ this app's soothing voices ๐ด๐ง Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Winter Underdog
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. ๐ This app is a game-changer โ its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ๐๐ง Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
BoomerBox
๐ Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking โ this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! ๐ฒ๐ Savoring stories has never been this smooth โ this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Uncle Buddy
๐ง Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app โ pure listening pleasure! ๐๐ฅ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
BoomerBox
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ๐๐ง ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
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