Book description
Adrian Tchaikovsky's Shards of Earth isn't just a space opera-it's a masterclass in quiet tension, perfectly realized for the audiobook format. Forget epic battles; this story thrums with the weight of a forgotten hero. Meet Idris: humanity's last weapon against the Architects, a being remade in war who hasn't aged or slept in fifty years. Now he's a salvager scraping by, haunted by silence and the ghosts of his own obsolescence. The war ended abruptly, the Architects vanished, and Idris became a relic. Until now.
What makes this audiobook magnetic is how it weaponizes stillness. Tchaikovsky's prose, delivered with subtle urgency by the narrator, transforms space itself into a character-the vast, lonely expanse where Idris's mind-to-mind communication with the Architects once thrived. You hear the absence of that connection now, a hollow space the narrator fills with careful pauses and low, resonant tones. The discovery of a fragment of Architect tech isn't just a plot point; it's a seismic shift, felt through the listener's bones. You'll lean in as Idris's crew races across galaxies, hunted by everything from shadowy governments to cults who see them as prophesied saviors. The tension isn't loud-it's in the creak of the salvage ship, the hushed arguments in the engine room, the dread of what might be returning.
Tchaikovsky avoids clichés by focusing on the human (and post-human) cost. Idris isn't a savior; he's a man out of time, struggling to stay invisible while carrying a truth that could ignite a new war. The narrator gives him a voice that's weary but sharp, a whisper of the soldier beneath the survivor. When the Architects' fragment is examined, the audio design subtly shifts-subtle electronic hums, distorted echoes-that make you feel the artifact's alien presence without exposition. It's a brilliant audio choice, turning description into sensory immersion.
This isn't a story about saving humanity through force. It's about the fragile, terrifying choice between hope and annihilation, framed by the quiet desperation of a man who's already lived through the end of the world. The audiobook's pacing is flawless: slow enough to savor Idris's isolation, quick enough to make you gasp at the next threat. You'll find yourself pausing the book just to absorb a line about how "the silence of space" now feels like a judgment. By the end, you're not just following a plot-you're racing alongside Idris, heart pounding, certain that the next sound could be the Architects' return, or the sound of everything ending. Shards of Earth proves that the most devastating stories are often the ones whispered in the dark. Listen closely. You'll hear the universe holding its breath.
Nutmeg
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Cool Law Topping
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Washer
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Lightweight
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Uncle Psycho
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Shady Prairie
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Snow Hound
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Feline Devil
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Racy Lion
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Don Stab
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Mud Pie Man
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Saturn Extreme
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Pitfall
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Beo
Kudos to the developers for crafting an app that understands readers' needs. The smooth playback and sleek design are pure perfection. 📚👏 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Darling Peacock
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Moon Laser
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Hen Skittle
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Snow Hound
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Golden Cougar
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
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