Audible Book Review: Configured by Jenetta L. Penner

This is an engaging dystopian sci-fi.

Configured
The Configured Trilogy, Book 1
By: Jenetta L. Penner
Narrated by: Lillie Ricciardi

Series: The Configured Trilogy, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Jenetta Penner
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Teen
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
There will come a day when love will mark you as a traitor. In a society where emotions are nothing and function is everything, Avlyn Lark is just trying to blend in. She's lucky to be alive, unlike her twin brother Ben who died when they were four. And she's lucky to have been taken from her biological parents and assigned to a Level Two family. But mastering her emotions? That's a problem, especially when a rebel bomb blows up a building right in front of her. Then on Configuration Day, Avlyn's official transition to adulthood, she starts seeing strange visions. And instead of being placed with a low-level tech company where she could hide away, she's hired by Genesis Technologies, the government firm that monitors every citizen. Now, instead of blending in, Avlyn fears she'll be exposed for what she really is. If Gen Tech finds out how deeply she feels, it will ruin her life. And if they find out about her secret meetings with a mysterious but handsome member of the rebel forces, her life will be more than ruined. It will be over.
©2016. 2017 Jenetta Penner (P)2017 Jenetta Penner

Review:
Avlyn lives in a world where emotions are forbidden. The government, Direction, selects who will advance from a mundane Level One worker to become a more prestigious, important, and privileged Level Two. Avlyn lost her twin brother Ben to a virus when they were young. Then she was moved from her biological parents to be raised in a Level Two family.

When Avlyn attends her Configuration Day appointment, she begins to experience strange visions. Although Avlyn tried to maintain a low profile, she is assigned as a tech worker in the powerful government firm that monitors every citizen. She can’t speak to anyone about her concerns and her confused emotions. Avlyn struggles with her position and instructions to make a sensible, program-directed life match.

Avlyn witnessed a bomb attack and is disturbed by the reporting that is delivered to the public. Soon she finds herself approached by an underground rebel group that is preparing a revolution to expose the lies of the current leader and restore freedoms to the people. Part of Avlyn doesn’t want to be involved, but another part longs to express the emotions she has hidden. And then there is the surprising secret skill she discovers that will change her path.

Ms. Penner does a good job of developing the conflicted emotions of the protagonist. I also liked the two young male interests who complicate her life. Both young men have a role in her struggles until the end of the book that stops at a point that clearly leaves a lot open for the next book in the series. I look forward to the next books in the series. I recommend this to fans of young adult, dystopian stories.

Audio Notes: Lillie Ricciardi delivers the narration with clear voices and a fitting emotional level. The narration enhanced the story for me.

3/28/2020 Audible One March Credit. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.