Book description
The Monster Baru Cormorant: A Masterclass in Pretentious Misery
Seth Dickinson's sequel manages to be both tediously predictable and exhaustingly convoluted-a literary equivalent of watching someone drown in slow motion while they insist they're learning to swim. Our heroine Baru continues her descent into morally ambiguous territory with all the subtlety of a brick through a window, leaving readers to wonder if there's a single ethical boundary she hasn't already trampled into pulp.
The geopolitical machinations that supposedly make this "breathtaking" are about as fresh as last week's garbage fire. Dickinson throws so many betrayals at us that they start feeling like routine maintenance rather than shocking revelations. By page two hundred, you'll find yourself mentally checking out whenever another character inevitably double-crosses everyone within a five-mile radius.
What's particularly galling is how the audiobook format exposes every pretentious inflection in Dickinson's prose. The narrator's dramatic pauses during "philosophical" monologues become increasingly painful as the story lumbers toward its inevitable conclusion. You can practically hear the author winking at his own "complexity" while delivering the same heavy-handed metaphors about power and corruption that your high school English teacher probably rejected as too obvious.
The Empire of Masks serves as a flimsy villain precisely because Dickinson spends more time admiring his own cleverness than developing actual stakes. Watching Baru compromise her soul feels less like character development and more like watching someone methodically destroy their own credibility. By the time she's literally tearing the world apart, readers will probably be thanking their lucky stars for the escape.
This isn't Game of Thrones-level intrigue-it's Game of Thrones-level cynicism without half the entertainment value. Save yourself the audiobook credit and spend those credits on something that doesn't mistake being tedious for being profound.
Tweety
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook's integration of artwork and metadata adds a visually appealing touch to my library. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Osprey
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. 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! Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Killer Curio
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. 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.
Houston
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. 🎧 Making housework more enjoyable – audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. 🧹📚 The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
Devine Melon
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries.
Frosty Sunshine
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features – from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. 👀📚 Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier – this app's soothing voices 😴🎧 ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Murmur
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Cross Thread
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 📱 Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap – this app is my digital library card! 📚📱 Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Old Orange Eyes
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Lord Nikon
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. 💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thank you, ListenBook! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Sugar Apple
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Crossing Guard
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content.
Alberta
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook's controls for looping and shuffling playback have made studying and revisiting content a breeze. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Classy Dancer
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Leaf Assassin
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
General Broomdog
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. 🎉 This app's functionality is a masterpiece – it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. 📚🎨 Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is commendable. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained.
Admiral Tot
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
180
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Cooger
💪 Boosting my productivity with this app's efficient multitasking features – audiobook enjoyment while I conquer my to-do list! 💼🎧 Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Whip 2T
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment.
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