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Title: The One (The Selection #3)
Author: Kiera Cass
Year Published: 2014
My The Guard (#2.5) Review
My The Elite (#2) Review
My The Selection (#1) Review
My The Prince (#0.5) Review
Paul's The Guard (#2.5) Review
Paul's The Elite (#2) Review
Paul's The Selection (#1) Review
Paul's The Prince (#0.5) Review
Synopsis: The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.
America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end 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.
From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.
Why?: I really enjoyed the first two books in this series (as well as the novellas), so I've been (not-so) patiently waiting for this book for a while! Mostly I just really want to know if America picks Maxon (Team Maxon all the way!).
Expectations: I definitely think this book will be darker than the previous two - since the threats outside are growing more vicious. I'm actually looking forward to that, because I think this series has been a lot lighter than I initially though. I'm also expecting America to have to make some hard choices. Overall, I just have really high expectations for The One because I enjoyed the other books so much!
Judging a book by its cover: I love this cover. I love that she's in white (is it a wedding dress?!), and I love how it matches the other two covers. This cover is gorgeous, and it would totally stand out on a shelf. I'm really excited to finally have it on my shelves!
--Ashley
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Title: The Elite (The Selection #2)
Authors: Kiera Cass
Year Published: 2013
My THE ELITE Pre Reading
My THE PRINCE Review
Ashley's THE PRINCE Review
My THE SELECTION Review
Ashley's THE SELECTION Review
Synopsis: 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.
Review: This sequel does not disappoint. It has all the intrigue, romance, and fun of the first book. America has made her way to the Elite and boy am I thankful. There are less girls still competing, so we get to know each of them pretty well. Some we learn to hate more. Others made me wonder if America really was right for Prince Maxon.
The love triangle is still an integral part of the story. I think I am Team Maxon, but there were points in this novel when I was Team No One. Maxon did some pretty extreme things in this novel, but by the end I understood. America on the other hand was a little annoying. She never thinks before she does. I liked her ideas behind a lot of things, but she never thought about what would come next.
As well as getting to know the other potential princesses more, we get to learn more about the King and Queen. Queen Amberly is a likable character. I want to know more about her life before and during her Selection. America's father also intrigues me. Cass did an excellent job at revealing more in this sequel, while still making me want more. The small bits about the history of this interesting world left me wanting more! I loved the part about Halloween, And the rebels really interest me, as well. More!
Overall, this was a really fun read. It's nothing mind bending, but it is definitely entertaining. This sequel provided answers to some of my questions from the first book, but even more it made me want MORE! I am so ready for the third book in this trilogy. I'm going to make sure I read all the short stories, too! I give The Elite a 4/5.
-PAUL
My Pre-Reading
Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Year Published: 2013
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Synopsis: 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.
Review: When I finished The Selection last year, I was left with so many questions and wanting so much more! I mean, America made it to the Elite, but did she even really want to be there (but come on, who WOULDN'T want to be with Maxon?)? Would she and Aspen be found out? What is Marlee's secret? Well, The Elite did not disappoint at all. More questions are raised, some questions are answered, and others are left for the final book in the series.
There is still quite a bit of "The Bachelor" feel to this book - six girls vying for the heart of one man, but with the added bonus of becoming a princess. And although I can't stand the TV show, I'm actually a huge fan of this book. There's still those elements that I could do with out, but Cass does such a good job classing it up that I really can't complain. I really like that there's a country at war outside the castle, but everyone in the palace is so sheltered from it that attacks are a huge deal. I think that adds quite a bit more excitement and mystery to the whole thing.
Although I am still 100% Team Maxon (boo Team Aspen), there were some times when I think Maxon is being a total tool. That being said, I really think America needs to get a grip on herself. I mean, come on America. You're the one who still won't commit to the poor guy, you can't expect him to just give up on all of the other girls when he can't be sure you'll stay with him. Seriously, America. Figure it out. I feel like Maxon is totally justified in what he does - he does need to get to know all of the other girls, and all of them know he's "dating" all of them at the same time. I do like how both Maxon and America grow and mature in this book though, it feels very natural and their relationship feels very real (despite being part of a game show).
My only grip with this book was that I didn't think there was enough of the rebels. I mean, I know they're not the main story, and I'm hoping we see more of them in Book 3, but I'm so interested in what they're trying to do. I also feel like knowing more about them will help with the world-building, which wasn't really as prominent in this book. The history was included well again, I just wish there had been more of it.
I don't want to give away too much, because I always think a book is better when there are no spoilers. But this book definitely made me feel all the feelings, and I cannot wait for The One! Is it 2014 yet? I would so recommend this to anyone who has read The Selection, and to anyone who wants to read something like "The Bachelor," only better because there are princes and princesses-to-be, and war, and all those fun things. 5/5!
--Ashley
Title: The Prince
Author: Kiera Cass
Year Published: 2013
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Synopsis: Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...
Before Aspen broke America's heart...
There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...
Don't miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.
Review: I totally expected this to be a romance story between Maxon and some other girl. What I got was a retelling of The Selection (and a few events leading up to it) told from Maxon's perspective. Which was totally fine with me, don't get me wrong. But don't go into this thinking you're going to learn about a completely hidden side of Maxon.
Although this wasn't what I expected, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked that we finally got to see things from Maxon's point of view, and that we got to find out what he really thought of America and her yelling at him on the first night she was in the palace. And I think it just made me like him even more, if that's even possible. Still 100% Team Maxon.
I read this before I devoured The Elite, and I think that really helped. Not that there's anything that's super important that you HAVE to know before reading The Elite, but it just helped refresh my memory since I read The Selection so long ago. I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the other two books in Kiera Cass' series, or to anyone who would be interested in reading them. And especially if you like kings, queens, princes, princesses, and things like "The Bachelor." I don't like "The Bachelor," but the rest of the story is enough to make it feel so much different from that awful TV show.
I would give this story a 3/5, and I hope we get more stories from Maxon in the future!
--Ashley
