The Elite by Kiera Cass

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea. America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide. Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

 

 

I have mixed feelings about this one. I love the overall story, setting and characters. I think it’s well written and easy to get into. It really is a fun series and I look forward to seeing how everything wraps up in the next book. On the other hand, I absolutely hate love-triangles. I guess I don’t mind if they are a bit more subtle, and I’m sure they can work. It just doesn’t work for me in this book. I’ll get to that in a bit; I think it’s just one of those things I’m going to have to rant about. But first, I’ll stick with the positive. I like that there is still the dating competition going on, I also liked that it has been narrowed down to six girls. I like the dystopian world and how America is slowly realizing more about the world around her and the injustices that are going on with her government. I also like that she is starting to realize that she wants to do something about it and to help make a change. For the most part I love America’s character, I love how kind she is and loyal to her friends. She has a lot of good qualities.

All of that kind of takes a back seat to the love triangle though. Instead of focusing on America’s growth and her feelings about becoming a princess, we’re forced to live through a ping-pong match of America’s emotions. I thought the love triangle was really over the top, it literally felt like every chapter she was jumping from Aspen to Maxon. It got to the point where I was just sick of both of them. It made it hard to root for either and for her. I think there is a LOT of potential for an awesome love story, but it has been tainted by this silly LT. There is so much going on with the other girls, the King, and America learning what it takes to be a princess that we don’t need the LT angle thrown in our face. It was just too much for me. I really debated about giving this three stars, but I do love the rest of the story and I HOPE that the next book will not continue the LT, course I said the same thing in my review for book one.

Overall, the parts without the LT were awesome. I really enjoy the story. I think it’s a fun series and I think a lot of people will enjoy it too. I think most people probably don’t mind LT, so that aspect won’t bother them. I however, am sick of them!

Content: Mild violence. Mild kissing. Mild language.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Synopsis:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

Review:
Wow. I really liked this one. I think the reason I liked it so much was because I just totally loved America. She was an awesome heroine. I know in most of my reviews I always say I like the heroine, and I always mean it. But in this case, America is someone I would actually like to be friends with. I liked how she carried herself and how she treated everyone, including her maids. She was easy to relate to and was just fun to read about.

I liked the plot too. It’s set in the future after a few wars where the America as we know it no longer exists. There is now a caste system in place, of eight different levels. America is a level five, a musician. Prince Maxon must marry and in order to do so they have a dating tournament of sorts. 35 women are chosen to come live at the palace and date the prince. America meets the criteria and her boyfriend, Aspen (a level six), encourages her to apply. America is chosen, Aspen dumps her, and America goes with a broken heart to meet the prince.

This is kind of like dystopian Bachelor tv show. They all are competing to meet the prince, they do interviews and there are cameras following them around all the time. The prince narrows things down and is dismissing girls (although there is no rose ceremony…lol). Maxon and America hit it off right from the start. I really liked Maxon and thought America was good for him, and vise versa. I actually thought their relationship was more mature. They build from a friendship. I could see a lot of potential between them.   

So, why didn’t I give this five stars? I’m still wavering to be honest. I guess it comes down to the love-triangle. It was actually written pretty well (and I’m praying it doesn’t become a soap opera in future books). I already know whose team I’m on and towards the end America does something that just rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I’ll just say it’s hard to write a love-triangle that doesn’t make the girl look bad. While she’s trying to decide how she feels the two guys are expected to wait around for her decision. I guess in Maxon’s case he does have a dozen other girls to date, but still. I just hope she decides EARLY in the next book and it’s not a storyline that is dragged out for three books. There is so much more going on and I don’t want to read two more books of America going back and forth.

Overall, I really did love the book. It was well written, paced nicely and full of likable characters. I’m a bit bummed that I now have to wait a year for the next book. I thought I promised myself not to start another series unless the whole thing was done! Owell, it was well worth the read and I look forward to reading what happens next with America, Maxon and Aspen.

Content: A few make-out scenes, a little steamy. A handful of swear words. Otherwise, pretty clean.