Book description
In one of the most dazzling books of his celebrated career, Dean Koontz delivers a masterwork of page-turning suspense that surpasses even his own inimitable reputation as a chronicler of our worst fears—and best dreams. In The Taking he tells the story of a community cut off from a world under siege, and the terrifying battle for survival waged by a young couple and their neighbors as familiar streets become fog-shrouded death traps. Gripping, heartbreaking, and triumphant in the face of mankind’s darkest hour, here is a small-town slice-of-doomsday thriller that strikes to the core of each of us to ask: What would you do in the midst of The Taking. On the morning that will mark the end of the world they have known, Molly and Niel Sloan awaken to the drumbeat of rain on their roof. It has haunted their sleep, invaded their dreams, and now they rise to find a luminous silvery downpour drenching their small California mountain town. A strange scent hangs faintly in the air, and the young couple cannot shake the sense of something wrong. As hours pass and the rain continues to fall, Molly and Niel listen to disturbing news of extreme weather phenomena across the globe. Before evening, their little town loses television and radio reception. Then telephone and the Internet are gone. With the ceaseless rain now comes an obscuring fog that transforms the once-friendly village into a ghostly labyrinth. By nightfall the Sloans have gathered with some of their neighbors to deal with community damage...but also because they feel the need to band together against some unknown threat, some enemy they cannot identify or even imagine. In the night, strange noises arise, and at a distance, in the rain and the mist, mysterious lights are seen drifting among the trees. The rain diminishes with the dawn, but a moody gray-purple twilight prevails. Soon Molly, Niel, and their small band of friends will be forced to draw on reserves of strength, courage, and humanity they never knew they had. For within the misty gloom they will encounter something that reveals in a terrifying instant what is happening to their world—something that is hunting them with ruthless efficiency. Epic in scope, searingly intimate and immediate in perspective, The Taking is an adventure story like no other, a relentless roller-coaster read that brings apocalypse to Main Street and showcases the talents of one of our most original and mesmerizing novelists at the pinnacle of his powers. From the Hardcover edition.
Molly and Neil Sloan and their neighbors in a small California mountain town encounter a threat that transforms their peaceful streets into a ghostly labyrinth as they discover the horrifying reality of what is happening around them.
Feral Mayhem
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
Silver Agent
📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Legacy
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments.
Stud Buster
💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable.
Bliss
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. 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!
Necromancer
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
Acid Gosling
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫 The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily.
X-Dew
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Snapple Whistler
This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Dark Matter
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket.
Heavenly Connection
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Stud Buster
I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve 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!
Shadow Bishop
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Cupid Dust
I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations.
Opulent Gamer
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫
Tangerine
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
ThickSKN
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! 🎉 Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks – this app turns errands into epic quests! 🛒📖 Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Voluntary
The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Video Game Heroine
Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
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