Review: The Elite

The Elite
(The Selection #2)
by Kiera Cass
YA Dystopian
April 23rd 2013 by HarperTeen


Goodreads summary:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

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
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What I thought:
I really enjoyed The Selection, although I didn't really like the love triangle. There are very few love triangles that actually work for me. I understand why America is pulled in two different directions and her feelings towards her old love and possibly a new one, but I still felt like she wasn't being true to anyone with her actions and was a little hypocritical. She hates that Maxon might kiss the other girls, yet she does the same. This was much of the focal point of The Elite carried over from the first book.

We see more of the dysopian aspects in this book than we did in the first one. There are a couple of groups that have increased their attacks. There are also other groups that support one girl over another, for political or personal reasons. We learn more about the history of the country and the type of king Maxon's father is and the type of leader Maxon will be. There is one part where America finds a confidential note, but then nothing actually comes of it. It seems a long stretch to wait for the next book to find what role that note plays, so I'm not sure why it was included. I liked the dystopian aspects and am really curious to see how things play out in the end and who will be involved.

I liked America's character, except for the whole love triangle thing and her indecisiveness and not thinking things through. She really is the best candidate for future queen out of Maxon's choices. I still can't stand Celeste! I also liked Maxon less and more. He does some things that, if I was America, I would have serious issues with. He also does some really good things. They are all in kind of a complicated situation. The things I had issues with regarding the characters made this book a little bit disappointing though. I don't love any of the characters and their choices and none of them have really redeemed themselves, to me at least.

I will finish out the series when the next book comes out next year. I am hoping that it will redeem it for me. I'll just have to wait and see. If you enjoy watching those type of Bachelor/Bachelorette reality shows and enjoyed The Selection, then I would definitely recommend reading The Elite.

Content: Some mild violence and making out.
Source: Library
 
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Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

        "What's it like to be in love?" May asked.
        Lucy's smile was sad. “It's the most wonderful and terrible thing that can ever happen to you," she said simply. "You know that you've found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it."
        I signed softly. She was absolutely right.
        Love is beautiful fear.

 

Have you read The Selection and The Elite or are planning too?








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