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.
Journeyman
ποΈ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side β beach days just got better! ποΈπ ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Rando Tank
ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Spoiler
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now β all thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience.
Electric Saturn
ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings.
Moon Radar
My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Kimono Goddess
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Squatch
Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. 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.
Racy Lion
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Spooky Yellowjacket
π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ
Mule Skinner
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§
Thunder Tank
Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. 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!
Tin Fox
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
Fire Bite
Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
ThickSKN
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
VenusLion
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
SWAT Honey
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener.
Bat Magenta
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. CUE playlist support helps me organize my audiobooks efficiently. It's a great organizational tool.
180
Audiobooks have never been this accessible β this app is a true innovation. πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. 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.
Ember Rope
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
PepperBurst
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
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