Book description
Forget everything you thought you knew about Mars. In Mary Robinette Kowal's The Martian Contingency, the fourth brilliant entry in the Lady Astronaut Universe, Elma York lands on the Red Planet not to explore, but to save humanity's soul. Earth is a dying world, scarred by the meteorite that erased Washington, D.C., and triggered runaway climate chaos. Now, Mars is our last hope-a place to rebuild, not just survive, but to carry forward the best of Earth: its art, its stories, its humanity, free from the hate that doomed us. But from the moment Elma steps onto Martian soil, the air feels wrong. Whispers of a hidden disaster from the First Mars Expedition cling to the silence, a secret buried deeper than the dust. As she and her crew dig for the truth, they hit a wall of corporate obfuscation and chilling silence. Every withheld detail isn't just a mystery-it's a ticking clock threatening the entire mission, and with it, the fragile future of all humanity. The stakes aren't just about building a habitat; they're about whether we can learn from our past before it consumes us all. And that's where this audiobook truly shines. Kowal's masterful storytelling, layered with tension that builds like a slow-motion avalanche, comes alive in the narration. You hear the weight of Elma's quiet determination, the subtle panic in her crew's voices as they uncover the truth, and the terrifying silence of the Martian landscape that holds its breath. The narrator doesn't just tell you the story; they make you feel the grit of that dust in your throat, the dread of a secret too dangerous to share, and the fierce, fragile hope that keeps Elma pushing forward. This isn't just sci-fi-it's a vital, urgent conversation about what we carry forward when the world ends. You'll feel every heartbeat, every whispered fear, every moment of hard-won hope. Don't just read about the Martian Contingency-experience it. Let the audiobook pull you into that tense, breathtaking world where the truth isn't just power-it's survival. Your next great listening adventure, and your future, depend on it. Don't wait for the silence to become permanent. Dive in now.
Baby Brown
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Clang Glyph
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
RetroMirage
User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Abyss Tamer
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Mafia Princess
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Low Voltage
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Swing Setter
ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Austin Shamrock
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Sand Whiskers
This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
Midnight Rider
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π
Taffy Duchess
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ
FrankenGrin
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
M8deUp
Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Despair
ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Spooky Yellowjacket
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Nibbler
Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Street Jolly
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
DragonBlood
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Bad Beret
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with itβthe narration was fine, and the story was okayβbut nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
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