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.
Minty Devil
No more straining my eyes to read β now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable.
Twinkle Cutlass
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Mr. Peppermint
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Tweety Bun Bun
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Thunder Tank
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LuminaLore
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Star Killer
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Fire Sass
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination.
Snow Cream
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
BlacKitten
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Campfire Mama
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Hemingway Mirmillone
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ πΆββοΈπ§ Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks β pure bliss! ποΈπ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Frosty Snazz
ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Kimono Goddess
ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
InsightfulInk
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Ember Master
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
RiddleRover
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
The Happy Jock
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Eerie
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
RawSkills
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
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