Book description
Hey, you won't believe what I just finished listening to on my way back from the grocery store - James H. Schmitz's The Witches of Karres audiobook, and it's a total blast from the past with a fresh, thrilling energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. I'm not just saying that because I love a good space opera; I've heard a lot of chatter about this book from other readers, and it's clear why it's still a favorite even decades after its original release.
From the very first track, the narrator's voice brings the galaxy to life. The setting is this distant corner of the Empire, a place where Captain Pausert-who's tired of love failures and struggling to make ends meet-decides to do something that sounds like a harmless act of kindness: he frees three young slaves. That simple act spirals into a full-blown adventure that takes him from the fringes of space right into the heart of a cosmic nightmare.
What's incredible is how Schmitz balances the humor and the tension. Pausert's own bumbling, his attempts at selling oddball cargo, and the irony of the "evil" empire that turns him into a target-all of that feels fresh and relatable. Yet the stakes are astronomical. The three girls he frees? They're not just cute kids. They're the notorious Witches of Karres, and their genuine psi-powers mean they're feared across the galaxy. Suddenly, the tiny ship Venture is surrounded by a swarm of enemies: a jealous fiancΓ©e, a hostile planet, warlike Sirians, psychopathic Uldanians, a dreaded pirate chieftain, and even the infamous Worm World, a threat that's said to be the darkest danger humanity faces in all of space.
The audiobook does a stellar job of highlighting the diverse cast. You hear the distinct voices of the witches, the tension in the pirates' growls, the alien cadence of the Sirians-each character comes alive without getting lost in the mix. The sound design doesn't overwhelm; it complements the story's pace, making every battle sequence feel intense and every quiet moment of character development linger just long enough to absorb.
Schmitz's strength as a writer shows here in the way he builds the universe. He introduces the reader to a galactic society with depth and nuance, not just a backdrop for action. The dialogue is crisp, the pacing tight, and the stakes never feel artificial. Readers who love strong, non-sissy female characters-think Telzey Amberdon or Trigger Argee-will find the witches of Karres just as compelling, if not more so, because they're young, powerful, and utterly unpredictable.
In short, this audiobook is a perfect blend of classic space opera with a modern twist. The narration is engaging, the plot twists keep you guessing, and the worldbuilding feels earned. If you're looking for a story that's both entertaining and thought-provoking, that transports you to a galaxy where every choice has weight, then grab your headphones and dive into The Witches of Karres. It's a sonic adventure you'll want to replay-once, twice, and then again when you're in the mood for more space-bound excitement.
NexusNomad
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Feral Mayhem
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Killah Goose
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ 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!
Blinker
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic!
WordWanderer
π₯ Elevating my reading routine to new heights β this app is a real page-turner! ππ Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's design is user-centric. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Show Boat
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π
Magenta
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Pinball Wizard
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Mud Finger
Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience.
Whip 2T
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Racy Babe
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Cupid Dust
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π Audiobook enthusiasts, gather round! This app's remarkable features, including audio filters and compatibility, have transformed my commutes into captivating journeys. ππ§ Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Easy Street
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
Wiccan Thunder
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ π₯ Simplifying my reading routine β the app's functionality ensures I'm always one click away from literary adventures. ππ I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Shwatson
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. π‘ Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background β talk about productivity! π§Όπ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. 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!
Pinball Wizard
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app is packed with useful features.
General Broomdog
ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ
MeeP
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. 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!
Reed Lady
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Moon Cricket
ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings.
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