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.
InsightInkwell
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
StorySculptor
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
MythMaker
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app.
Skirble
ποΈπ§ Escaping to paradise with a beach read β this app is my vacation in audio form! ποΈπ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
ThoughtTrail
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Cream
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use.
Pepper Mouse
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Iron Jesus
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Snout Pixie
Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Heartbreaker
π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a dream for road trips. It keeps me entertained. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits.
Flash
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Lucky Martian
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Pogue
π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now.
Bleach
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. 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. ππ The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Lightweight
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Beetle King
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Renegade Slugger
I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Unseen
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
FlyGuardX
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's a convenient habit. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
CuriousCrafter
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. 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§
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