Book description
Let's be real: Pierce Brown's Red Rising is the kind of book you'd shove at a friend after they've had one too many beers and declared, "I need a dystopian epic!" It's got all the right ingredients: a genetically engineered society where Golds rule like spoiled toddlers in designer armor, Reds working themselves to death for a future they'll never see, and a protagonist whose trauma is basically a glittering, blood-soaked neon sign screaming "I'M THE CHOSEN ONE, DAMMIT."
The audiobook? Honestly, it's a mixed bag. Darrow's internal monologue-full of "I live for you" and "I must live for more"-lands with the subtlety of a sledgehammer in audio. You hear every ounce of his righteous fury, every choked-back tear, and it's so earnest you can almost smell the sweat-stained rebellion. But let's be honest: the whole "sacrifice everything to infiltrate the enemy's elite school" plot? It's been done so many times it's practically a franchise. You've seen it in The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner-all wearing slightly different colored capes. Brown's just giving it a fresh coat of "Gold" paint and a side of "I'll become a monster to destroy monsters." Classic.
The humor here isn't in the plot-it's in the audacity of it all. Darrow's mission is basically a high-stakes game of "Who Can Be More Broken While Still Looking Cool?" And the audiobook leans hard into that. The narrator nails Darrow's rage, but the Golds? They sound like they've been auditioning for a Gossip Girl reboot set on Mars. "Oh, Darrow, you do have such potential," they sneer, and you just want to yell, "Yeah, potential to be killed by the next person who says 'potential'!"
What's genuinely fun is how Brown weaponizes the book's own flaws. The "love interest" line-"I live for you"-is so clichΓ© it's almost parody. But the audiobook makes it work because you hear the raw, unfiltered grief behind it. And when Darrow realizes the Reds are literally slaves to a lie? That moment hits harder in audio. You don't just read it-you feel the betrayal in the narrator's voice, like a punch to the gut. It's the kind of moment that makes you think, "Okay, I'll suspend disbelief for this one."
But let's not pretend it's deep. It's exactly what it says on the tin: a high-octane, blood-soaked power fantasy where the underdog gets to play villain for a while. The themes of "power, violence, hope" are explored with the nuance of a sledgehammer, but hey-sometimes you just want a sledgehammer. The audiobook's pacing keeps you hooked, even when the plot twists feel like they were pulled from a Netflix pitch deck. And the ending? Chef's kiss. You're left wanting more, which is exactly the point.
So yeah, Red Rising isn't groundbreaking. But it's a damn good ride. The audiobook makes you feel every desperate heartbeat, every whispered promise of revolution. Just don't expect Shakespeare. Expect a messy, loud, fun mess. And if you're going to spend 12 hours listening to Darrow's internal monologue about becoming a monster? At least the narrator makes it sound like he's got a really good reason. (Spoiler: He does. It's called "survival.")
Red Pepper
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
NoiseFire
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. π Rekindling my literary flame β this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. ππ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Biscuit Meg
The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Onion King
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience.
Armed Hawk
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π
General Broomdog
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
FrankenGrin
Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. 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§
Natural Gold
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Stacker of Wheat
πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Magenta
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a standout. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. 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!
Stacker of Wheat
The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Bugger
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Digital Goddess
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
White Dragon
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. ππ ListenBook makes my commute enjoyable. The audio filters really enhance the listening experience. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
RedFisher
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Alley Fiend
I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Rando Tank
This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Mother Hen
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Princess Dove
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Dewdrop Doll
The seamless integration with my car's audio system is a road trip dream. The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content.
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