Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Elite
- Author: Kiera Cass
- Narrator: Amy Rubinate
- Length: 07:43:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 23/04/2013
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Genre: Fiction, Teen
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you stumble across a story that sweeps you into a world of glittering gowns, whispered secrets, and the kind of romance that lingers like the scent of desert blooms after a rare rain. That’s exactly what happened when I popped in my earbuds and dove into the “Elite” audiobook by Kiera Cass, narrated by Amy Rubinate. As the second installment in “The Selection” series, this teen fiction gem promised glamour and intrigue – and let me tell you, it delivered, though not without a few stumbles along the way.
The story unfolds like a dusty road trip through a landscape you’ve never seen but somehow feels familiar. America Singer, our fiery protagonist, is caught in a royal competition to win Prince Maxon’s heart, all while navigating a web of rivalries, rebellion, and her own tangled emotions. It reminds me of a time when I was driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, the vast emptiness stretching out before me, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. Just as García Márquez’s narrator wove magic into the surreal dunes outside my window, Cass crafts a glittering dystopian palace that’s as captivating as it is claustrophobic. There’s something about a good audiobook that turns a solitary journey into a shared adventure, and “Elite” had me hooked from the first mile.
For me, this tale hit close to home. Growing up, I’d listen to my abuela’s stories in Oaxaca – tales of love, betrayal, and quiet strength passed down over steaming mugs of chocolate de olla. She had this way of pausing just long enough to let the weight of her words settle, a rhythm Amy Rubinate echoes beautifully in her narration. America’s struggle to balance her heart and her ideals felt like those evenings under the stars, where every choice carried the weight of legacy. I could almost taste the tension as she faced off with her rival, Celeste, or wrestled with her lingering feelings for Aspen, her first love back home. It’s a dance of loyalty and longing that any of us who’ve left a piece of ourselves behind on the road can understand.
Cass’s writing shines in its ability to build atmosphere – you can almost hear the rustle of silk dresses and the murmur of court gossip. The themes of identity, power, and sacrifice weave through the narrative like threads in a Zapotec rug, bold yet intricate. America’s journey isn’t just about picking a prince; it’s about figuring out who she is when the world expects her to be someone else. That said, the plot occasionally stumbles over its own ambition. The love triangle can feel like a well-worn path, and some of the secondary characters – like the rebels threatening the kingdom – don’t get the depth they deserve. Still, the emotional stakes keep you invested, even when the road gets bumpy.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook experience itself, because Amy Rubinate’s narration is the engine that drives this story forward. Her voice is warm and clear, with a knack for capturing America’s fiery spirit without overacting. You can feel the frustration in her tone when America clashes with the king, or the softness when she’s lost in a moment with Maxon. Rubinate’s pacing is spot-on, much like those Oaxacan evenings where every pause heightened the drama. The audio quality is crisp, making it easy to sink into the listening experience, whether you’re on a long flight or chopping onions for a mole sauce. My only quibble? Some of the supporting characters’ voices blend together a bit too much – Celeste’s sharpness could’ve used more bite to stand out. Still, Rubinate brings the palace to life in a way that’s intimate and immersive.
Compared to other teen fiction audiobooks like Veronica Roth’s “Divergent” or Lauren Oliver’s “Delirium”, “Elite” leans harder into romance and courtly drama than action-packed dystopia. It’s less about fighting the system and more about finding your place within it – a quieter rebellion, but no less compelling. If you loved the swoon-worthy tension of Renée Ahdieh’s “The Wrath and the Dawn”, this one’s got a similar heartbeat, though it trades Persian sands for a futuristic ballroom.
What makes this audiobook even sweeter? You can snag it as a free download if you know where to look – think of it as a hidden gem tucked away in a mercado stall. For fans of teen fiction or anyone craving a royal escape, it’s worth the listen. It’s not perfect – the pacing drags in spots, and the world-building could use a bit more meat on its bones – but the emotional pull and Rubinate’s narration make it a journey worth taking.
Reflecting on it now, “Elite” feels like one of those trips where the destination isn’t the point – it’s the people you meet and the stories you uncover along the way. It took me back to a night in Lisbon, sharing wine with a stranger who’d just left everything behind for love. We swapped tales until dawn, and that raw, human connection is what Cass taps into here. It’s not just a story about a crown; it’s about what we’re willing to fight for when the stakes are personal.
Until our next adventure, amigos,
Marcus Rivera
