Book description
The Universe Against Her - Audiobook Review
James H. Schmitz's The Universe Against Her stands as a compelling entry in the author's celebrated Hub series, showcasing his exceptional ability to craft science fiction that is both imaginative and thematically robust. This audiobook, expanding on the earlier stories "Novice" and "Undercurrents," presents the formidable Telzey Amberdon-a teenage protagonist whose prodigious psionic abilities set her on a collision course with interstellar forces beyond her control.
From the outset, Schmitz establishes Telzey not as a passive figure, but as a young woman of remarkable intelligence and will. Her telepathic rapport with a non-human feline companion introduces a unique emotional and narrative dynamic, one that enriches the story's exploration of identity and connection. As her mental powers evolve, so too does the peril she faces-particularly in the form of a sinister "psionic traffic cop," an entity implanted within her psyche by a wary interstellar government. This element transforms what might have been a simple coming-of-age tale into a tense psychological thriller.
The audiobook format serves the narrative well, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in Schmitz's intricate worldbuilding and the internal complexities of its characters. The pacing is deliberate yet engaging, permitting the philosophical undertones of power, autonomy, and societal control to resonate without overshadowing the story's momentum.
Schmitz's reputation for creating strong, unconventional female characters is on full display here. Telzey defies the reductive tropes often associated with young protagonists in mid-20th century science fiction. Instead, she is portrayed with nuance and agency, making her struggles and triumphs all the more compelling.
For both longtime fans of space opera and newcomers to Schmitz's work, The Universe Against Her offers a rewarding listening experience-intelligent, suspenseful, and rich in thematic depth. It reaffirms Schmitz's standing as a master of the genre, capable of rendering the vastness of space as both a setting and a state of mind.
Miss Nova
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book – so convenient! Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Nessie
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. Audiobook heaven! This app has revolutionized the way I enjoy stories. Its sleek design and seamless functionality make it a must-have for book lovers. 📚🎧 With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Lucky Martian
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. 🎉📚 Reigniting my passion for books – this app is my newfound reading obsession! 🔥🎧 ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Houston Rocket
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
Blistered Outlaw
Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
InsightfulInk
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Sweetness
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a boon for those who enjoy deep dives into lengthy narratives. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out.
Lunar Treat
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Breadmaker
This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use.
Bleachers
I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Good-lookin’
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful.
LyRz
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! 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.
Whip Chu
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style.
Bit Sentinel
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Homerun Diva
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
Zero Corn
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Shadow Chaser
This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. 💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
Delirious Supernova
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. 🌟 This app is a game-changer – its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. 🎉🎧 The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Washer
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Tomcat
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. 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!
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