Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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.

My Thoughts:  I did like this book but not nearly as much as I liked The Selection.  I think one of the reasons why I didn't like it as much is because American really annoyed me in this one.  She is so wishy-washy that I wanted to smack her.  

We left off with only 6 girls remaining in the selection.  They were America, Celeste, Marley, Elise, Natalie and Kriss.  Celeste is still a major brat and I cannot stand her.  Elise and Natalie are okay but it is clear that they are only there because they are easy to manipulate and Elise has an "in" with the country she is from.  Celeste is obviously only there because she is a Two so she is already "a lady" and she's beautiful.  Marley and Kriss are the peoples' favorites so that leaves America at the bottom of the list.  However, Maxon has continued to assure her that she is the one for him.

America still has feelings for Aspen though and since he is a guard at the palace, she sees him frequently.  This means that she is unable to let him go.  It is also one of the reasons that America really annoys me in this book.  When something serious happens, America pushes Maxon away and it seems to me that she goes back to Aspen as a "back-up" plan yet she gets upset with Maxon for suddenly spending more time with Kriss.  I completely understand why she was upset with Maxon.  Heck, I wanted to beat him up too but she doesn't give him a chance to really explain himself.  I admire America's morals and ethics and the fact that she isn't sure she could become a princess but she is always talking about changing things and what better way to change things than to become princess and then eventually queen?  

I like Aspen and he is always there for America but I am fully Team Maxon.  Especially when you discover a little more about Maxon's relationship with his father.  The king is a total and complete jerk and you really can't help but admire Maxon for finally (somewhat) standing up to him.  Aspen is a great friend to America but he is someone from her past and she has changed now so I think it is time for her to let Aspen go.  

America was a very strong character in the first book.  However in this book, I felt that she lost her edge.  She was constantly whining about who to chose, Maxon or Aspen.  Then, if Maxon made her angry or she didn't agree with something going on in the palace, she would demand that Maxon send her home and then she would change her mind and cry that she wanted to stay.  It was so frustrating!  Then there were the times when she was just reckless and didn't think before acting or speaking.  

I did like the idea of the selection (because I secretly love The Bachelor and this is very similar) and I liked Maxon.  I enjoyed reading about the riots because it brought a little danger and excitement to the book but America really needs to get her act together for the last book!