The Elite by Kiera Cass

Published: April 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 336

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

Review:
I am fairly certain that my post for The One (Book #3) was posted BEFORE this one.  We must have gotten them mixed up. So sorry!!

Just a warning to you all.  The Elite is Book #2 in a trilogy.  There will be spoilers in my review. Please don't read it if you have not already read Book #1.

So...sometimes it is nice to get swept up in a nice romance.  Nothing too complicated, just something lovely.  That's what I was thinking of The Selection series.  Girl meets boy.  Girl and Boy fall in love. Boy breaks Girl's heart.  Girl finds another, better Boy. Better Boy falls for Girl. Girl has to choose.  The End.  But...as I was reading through The Elite, all I could think was that Aspen was going to sweep in and ruin it all....and I couldn't help but want to yell at him and say - you messed up buddy.  She found someone new.  Let her be happy.  Let her choose who she wants to be with.  But then the story starts to take on a life all it's own and becomes unpredictable.

For instance, let's take best friend Marlee...she puts herself into an incredibly terrible situation and is lucky to squeak away with her life.  However, America's reaction to Marlee's punishment creates a brawl with the enemy and also lands her in a very precarious position.  The politics in the Selection have begun to remind me of the politics in the Legacy series by Cayla Kluver.  

I loved this book so much that I started Book #3 right away.  The ending seems fairly predictable but how she gets to the finish line isn't!

Sooo...for those of your who haven't read this series yet, prepare yourself for something like the Bachelor meets the Royals.  I think that if you have read the Legacy series by Cayla Kluver, you will also enjoy this series.  

The One by Kiera Cass

 

Published: May 2014

Pages: 323

Publisher: HarperTeen

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

 

Summary:

 

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.  

 

Review:

 

Please do not read this review if you have not read Book #1 and 2. There will be spoilers...

 

The One is the final book in The Selection series.  It is time for Maxon to finally choose the woman he wants to be with but because of her inability to listen and follow the rules, America is hardly the King's choice. In fact, she is lucky to even remain a contender.  Plus, Maxon is torn by his growing feelings for America but his trust in a more reliable, pliable candidate, Kriss. 

 

Speaking of Kriss. I found it interesting to see how all of the girls, despite this being a competition, grew closer as comrades.  It makes me wonder if guys do the same thing on Bachelorette?  There were times when I really liked Kriss but I never found her to be as genuine a friend as Marlee.

 

There is a particular scene in Book #3 where America dos something so remarkably brave and stupid all at the same time. It causes shame on the King but gives the people a true glimpse of the type of ruler she has the potential to be.  Good move? What do you think?

 

I loved this series.  It reminded me so much of Katniss from The Hunger Games except America seemed a bit more impulsive and her decisions seemed less calculated.  She seemed to act first and then accept the consequences later.  I wished there could be more to this story as Book #4 but it ended just as it should have.  Leave the reader always wanting more but still happily satisfied with the final book.  :)  Well done Ms. Cass.  Well done.  (I only wish I would have read this series sooner....).

 



In Case you Missed it - The Selection by Kiera Cass

Published: April 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 336

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

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 a palace and compete for the heart of 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:

I believe Special K did a review of this title a few years back but for the life of me, I cannot find the review to point you to her opinion.  I do remember her loving the girly dresses though. :)

The Selection has been on my radar for quite awhile now.  Not only are the covers gorgeous (I am such a book snob....I wonder what kind of shoes she has under that gown?) but the story sounds fascinating.  Let's review...

So a new society has been divided into a numbered caste system.  You can be in caste One through Eight.  If you are a One, you are royalty. If you are an Eight, you are homeless.  When the Prince comes of age to be married, eligible girls between a certain age can apply to be a part of The Selection.  They are entered into a draw and each province will send one girl to the Selection process where they will spend time with Prince Maxon and eventually he narrows his choice down to the last girl who will become his princess.  

At first, I wasn't so sure of this system.  It's a little bit like The Bachelor (crossed with the Hunger Games)...but with a bigger prize of ruling the kingdom and marrying into royalty.  I like the idea that The Prince will be considering all castes and marrying someone from his own country rather than someone from another for political ties.  However, I wasn't sure whether to be horrified or intrigued that The Selection is like a glorified high class televised game show.  Good thing I decided to be open-minded about it because I REALLY enjoyed The Selection.  The storyline for book #1 was a tad predictable and there were moments when I wanted to shout loudly at America through the pages but I enjoyed it so much that I have started telling people about the series...I only hope that Book #2 and 3 are as good.

 

Spoiler alert because I need to rant -

 

Celeste is horrible.  How is she not kicked out of this competition by the end of book #1??  She is the epitome of mean girls everywhere, manipulating every situation so that they can outshine their competition rather than shining because of her own merits.  During one scene, Celeste tries to bully America into switching dresses and then rips America's gown right before The Report.  Yet America does not tell Maxon about their encounter.  Was that a classy thing to do or stupid?  What would you have done?

 

OK, the spoiler is done.  Sorry, mean girls who bully drive me mental....

 

Besides Celeste, most of the characters in The Selection are fairly likeable.  Granted, America has a few qualities that seem to constantly get her into trouble but it keeps her spunky and definitely makes her stand apart from the crowd...in a good way.  All in all, I loved the Selection.  I was a little concerned that it would be more surface than substance but Ms. Cass did a good job at creating the foundation for some great characters and a recipe for a good storyline.  Looking forward to Book #2!

 

 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Published: April 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 327
Copy: Library
Summary: Goodreads

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.


Wow! This book has been on the YA Lit radar for sometime, with the rights for TV and movie options floating around (they have been grabbed by Warner Bros. if IMDB can be trusted) before the book had even been released! That mixed with the stunning cover, meant that the book had a big reputation to live up to. And I of course, am a sucker.

For those who haven't heard all the buzz, The Selection is exactly what it sounds like: a wonderful mix of The Hunger Games and Beauty Queens, or The Bachelor and Survivor for our TV-minded friends. Despite the clear sources of inspiration, Kiera Cass has stepped into the authoring world with her best foot forward, and weaves a dazzling story with characters you cheer for, and have your heart break for. Despite my dislike of our heroine’s name (America…although Ms. Cass gave me a legitimate reason for her being named so…which made me hate it a little less), she is a character I can relate with on so many levels it was a little scary at first: strong, and while confused, she doesn’t make decisions rashly that make you question her character. Heartthrob Aspen is a little harder to wrap your head around (I can’t understand his way of thinking…which is hard to explain without spoilers), but he is a heartthrob, so we’ll let him get away with it. Prince Maxon is absolutely wonderful, and he performs up to The Bachelor standards, kissing girls despite not-quite-made declarations to others. Add that to the rise from a not-quite-destitute setting, to the lavish descriptions of the palace and dresses that sound like they are to die for. All in all, despite being yet another book with a girl-in-gorgeous-dress cover (I thought I was done with this trend), The Selection’s stunning outside is mirrored by a stunning debut on the inside.

I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this book off (I got through this in 2 days, which is an amazing feat with my schedule), and was heart broken! A huge cliffhanger means I have way too long to wait for book two. And trust me, this will be a book I go out to buy so I can devour it ASAP. And I truly believe that if you love YA, you’ll feel the same way.

Many thanks to Special K for todays review.  We love you 'K'