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.
Publishes in US: April 23rd 2013 by Harper Teen
Genre: light dystopia, (more romance with a different government)
Source: ARC from HarperTeen
Series? the 2nd. The 1st The Selection is out (see my review here), the 3rd The Selection #3 still untitled releases in 2014
Buy it: Barnes & Noble Amazon IndieBound BookDepository.com
Find Kiera online: website. Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook
I flew through this one and enjoyed getting to see another side of all of the characters. This one did a much better job at elaborating on the other girls, and I really enjoyed that. I know it was impossible in the first because getting to know America, Maxon and Aspen, and of course, there were just TOO many other girls.
Oh, America. She still needs time. I don't know why I am surprised by this because it is only the second book in the series, and of course she hasn't made a decision. I just feel for her heart as well as Maxon and Aspen, because someone is going to get hurt.
I enjoyed getting to know Marlee more, and interested at her reasoning for why she doesn't think she and Maxon are a good match. I, of course, have some speculations, but wanted more events to unfold. Besides, I just like her and America's friendship. It is refreshing to read about with all of the politics and love triangle afoot. Not saying that I don't like the romance, and getting deeper into that, I just like that aspect as well.
But oh, at the event that the synopsis hints at with the devastating loss--oh my goodness. I couldn't believe it and wished that there was something I could do to change it. It made me want to cry and scream.
And while I can understand America questioning herself and what she thought was her choice, I just wanted to strangle her because she wasn't looking at the whole picture.
I was so mad at her at times, because while I understood needing to get her feelings straightened out, and I am usually all for the forbidden love, I just didn't want for anyone to get hurt. And she was playing with huge fire still having feelings with Aspen, and the risks that they took in Selection alone were enough to be charged with treason according to the rules.
I couldn't look away from the book though, and my heart was torn just like hers with each twist and thing that happens, but I know that I am rooting for Maxon overall, and I think that America could do great things with him for the nation.
I am so ready for the next book in the series, and it is almost sad that I got the arc because now I have to wait longer... But I was immersed in this story and counting down until I can read more.
Video review:
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could make it to the top 6 in a contest like this?
Or for those who have read selection: Maxon or Aspen?
I SO excited for this book! I really liked Maxon and America together, rather than her and Aspen. And i agree about America - she doesn't look at the big picture sometimes. I'm glad you enjoyed it though!
ReplyDeleteMaxon is my choice, so much!
DeleteI'm team Maxon all the way! He's so cute and sweet! I can't wait to read this book. I really loved the Selection!!
ReplyDeleteI know, so sweet
DeleteUgh, I still haven't decided if I want to read the sequel. I didn't really like the first book, but I said I was going to give the sequel a chance. It sounds like America will annoy me some more in this book, but your review has me intrigued with the devastating loss. I kind of want to know what happens :) Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Aw, if you didn't like the first, you prb wouldn't like this one either.
DeleteIndecision is probably one of the reasons love triangles rarely work for me. I'm not as patient as you. I would want the main character to make up her mind and be done with it. ;) I'm glad you enjoyed this though! I hope the next book impresses you just as much. Fab review. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the tension!
DeleteTeam Maxon! Personally, Aspen had his chance, and he blew it. I think Maxon could really take care of America if she let him.
ReplyDeleteI def agree that he blew it
DeleteI think this love triangle and America's indecisiveness would probably drive me insane. I know this book isn't for me, but I'm so glad you really liked it despite your frustration... or maybe (partly) because of it. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review.
Def partly because of it
DeleteI am not really sure about this series
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable
DeleteI haven't read the first book but now that I've read your review, I may consider getting the series. I don't know... but I don't think I could stand the pressure of the type of contest in the book but America seems to have grown up through the competition and I like that she builds friendship.
ReplyDeleteShe has grown, but I know she has a lot more to grown and learn
DeleteI'm always a little upset when a character can make a decision, I hope she will soon. Maybe one day I'll try this series.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this, can't wait to read this
ReplyDeleteI just got this ARC and cannot wait to start it! I am Team Maxon as well! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI never did read the first book. I remember thinking it sounded strange but I have heard quite a few good things so it's one I should really pick up.
ReplyDeleteThere is an element of strangeness but I love it
DeleteI haven't read the first book yet but I'm really planing to. I'm glad to hear that this book explained things about other characters. I'm glad you enjoyed :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series, they sound really interesting though. I don't know why they sent the others home so I don't know if I'd make it to the top 6. I don't know what their goal is, so I'm not sure if I'd enter in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI like the first book, so I am really looking forward to this one. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
The first book's sitting on my shelf, and I'm glad the series is doing so well...or I'd have been regretting buying The Selection! Can't wait to find out more.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, I enjoyed book one but wasn't in a hurry to grab book two..you changed my mine!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a huge fan of the first book but I liked Aspen. I like Maxon kind of too though so I don't know. I'll probably skim this book for answers LOL
ReplyDeleteI feel like I didn't know Aspen enough
DeleteI enjoyed The Selection but hated that by the time the pace picked up it was over I am definitely Team Maxon!
ReplyDeleteI really love your formatting in your reviews! Maybe make your rating system a bit more visible, it just kind of blends in with everything else. Haven't read the series yet so not much to say there, but your review is a nice length! So yeah! Keep on doing what you do!
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Marie's Bookworm Blog
http://mariesbookwormblog.blogspot.com
Thanks. I redid the icons, hope you like the new ones. I don't think they will show up for a bit though
DeleteThe cover of this books are so amazing, so beautiful, really nice the three. And I don't know, but that is enough to me jaja, sorry.
ReplyDelete¡Greetings!
I have not read the first book in this series yet but I am looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Although, I am worried about the love triangle cause I hardly ever enjoy those, but I'll have to read it for myself and see if it turns out well and if I like it. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! :D
ReplyDeleteAwesomesauce review! :)
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Maybe wait until they are all out?
DeleteThere were a lot of people who loved or hated The Selection. I really liked it! I don't know, after reading your review, if I'll be able to handle this one though. America started bothering me a little in the first one with her indecision and I'm not huge into love triangles. I'll still read it since I've got to find out what happens, but maybe I'll wait until the third one is out.
ReplyDeleteCould I do be in a competition like this? No. I would just wonder how real the relationships are and if they'd last once things go back to normal.
Thanks for stopping by my STS post!
Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings
I just can't wait to see what happens now! *-* This is one love triangle I'm enjoying. This series is my guilty pleasure, I'll admit it. LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
I haven't read this book. well. after read this, i think i want to read this book. god!
ReplyDeleteMAXON ALL THE WAY!! Aspen is just, urgh. And i'm not quite sure about getting to the top 6.. Don't even think i'll get picked for the whole selection thing.. :))
ReplyDeleteTeam Maxon!!! Can't wait for the Elite! Gah! Your review makes me want to read it even more!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this book. I really enjoyed The Selection and am completely obsessed with the covers for both books.
ReplyDeleteI do not know if I could make it to the top 6. But I am so anxious to see where this story goes. Cannot wait till it comes out.
Okay I prefer Maxon, but I think thats only because we see so much more of him...I'm so glad you loved Elite...I've been wanting to read it so bad!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's weird--I didn't really like The Selection, but I'm strangely eager to read this! And I'm definitely all for Maxon. Aspen felt so flat as a character; it was impossible to read him or connect with him. Thanks for the great review--you're making me even more excited to read this (still is weird to me, but I guess the plot had enough promise to make me want to see it through!).
ReplyDeleteI'm getting an ARC of The Elite (hopefully!) and I actually can't wait to read it. Your hint about something horrible happening is making me even more eager to read it! America seems like a pretty flat character in The Selection, so I'm hoping she at least develops a little bit in The Elite. Although, from your review I won't hold out much hope.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! I got really frustrated with America as well! I wanted her to set her feelings straight and stop worrying about little things. But I did enjoy the overall story very much!
ReplyDelete