Audiobook Sample
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- Title: One
- Author: Kiera Cass
- Narrator: Amy Rubinate
- Length: 07:25:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 06/05/2014
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Genre: Fiction, Teen
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As someone who’s spent countless hours listening to audiobooks while crossing deserts and navigating foreign cities, I can tell you that the magic of a great narration lies in its ability to transport you completely. Kiera Cass’s “One”, the third installment in her bestselling Selection series, achieves this beautifully through Amy Rubinate’s nuanced performance. It reminds me of those evenings in Oaxaca, where stories weren’t just told but performed with the kind of emotional authenticity that makes you forget where you are.
The story unfolds like an intricate dance – America Singer’s journey through the glittering yet treacherous world of royal selection is equal parts political intrigue and swoon-worthy romance. Rubinate’s narration captures America’s emotional complexity perfectly, her voice shifting subtly from determined resolve to vulnerable uncertainty as America navigates her feelings for Maxon amidst the pressures of the competition. You can almost hear the rustle of ballgowns and taste the tension in the palace air.
What struck me most was how the audiobook format enhances Cass’s world-building. As someone who’s documented cultures around the world, I appreciated how Rubinate’s performance highlighted the Illean caste system’s nuances through vocal variations for different characters. The way she modulates her voice for the working-class characters versus the aristocracy adds a layer of social commentary that might be missed in print.
The love triangle between America, Maxon, and Aspen gains new dimensions through Rubinate’s interpretation. She gives each suitor distinct vocal qualities – Maxon’s measured cadence reflecting his royal upbringing, Aspen’s rougher edges hinting at his military background. It’s a masterclass in how narration can deepen character development, much like how my abuela in Oaxaca would change her entire posture and rhythm when switching between characters in her stories.
Some listeners might find the pacing occasionally uneven – the political subplots sometimes take a backseat to the romance in ways that reminded me of how young love can make everything else fade into the background. But Rubinate maintains a compelling momentum throughout, her narration smooth as the desert highways where I first fell in love with audiobooks.
Compared to similar YA dystopian romances, “One” stands out for its unabashed embrace of courtly romance tropes while still maintaining enough political intrigue to satisfy fans of “The Hunger Games”. Rubinate’s performance strikes the perfect balance between these elements, never letting the story tip too far into either saccharine sweetness or grim darkness.
For those who loved the first two Selection books, this audiobook delivers a satisfying continuation. Newcomers might want to start from the beginning, though Rubinate does an admirable job making the world accessible. The production quality is excellent – no distracting background noises or uneven volume levels that can plague some audiobooks.
As I listened, I kept thinking about how the best stories, whether heard around a campfire or through headphones, create spaces where we can safely explore complex emotions. “One” offers exactly that – a glittering, emotionally rich space where the universal yearnings for love and purpose play out against a dystopian backdrop that’s just familiar enough to unsettle.
Until our next literary journey,
Marcus Rivera
