[#15] Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite

  (The Selection #2)

by Kiera Cass

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

The Elite… This series definitely gave life to the girlish part of me that hadn’t been roused for a really long time. I loved it!

I rated The Selection with perfect five while I rated this one four because I think that the first one’s much better. I rate a series according to its development from the first one. While The Elite definitely roused me, The Selection gave me sparks and all.

I also like the blue cover more that the red one. Though, I really approved of both covers for they sort of described the characters too. In the first book, America was innocent and confused which gave blue aura (blue:calm). The second one with America being stronger and a little fiercer gave red aura. That’s just the way I view things though.

Charaters. I still think that Aspen was a jeck. No competition for the prince then. Maxon, he still has that charming, manly and really lovable self. I was a little shock with his revelation on what was happening with him and his dad. I understand the weigh of his responsibilities and his every action. His womanizing, I don’t even want to talk about that (you got the idea, right?). America, loved her so much. I liked her character now more than the other one. She was stronger and more that ready to stand up for the things and persons that needed her. I admired those qualities of her. Maxon and her lovelife had been a little blur with all that happened but I still have my bet on him.

Events. There’s less focus on love thing on this book than the other one. The rebels were really disturbing. The palace was not much of desirable place now with all that happened and issues with the royal family. The events shifted with the characters. It’s great how Cass had done it all.

Overall, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next series, and it has its official title now! The One. I loved this book and I’m sure that I will love it too. Another thumbs up for Cass =D

How much I loved it?

4.0 Hearts

[#7] Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection 

(The Selection #1)

by Kiera Cass

Synopsis

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

The Selection… It was an amazing book! Would stating that I’d manage to finish this novel in about eight hours be enough to prove my point? So far, this was my fastest read. I just knew that the moment I started reading it that I won’t be able to keep my eyes off it until I finished everything. And wow! I loved it.
It’s every girl’s dream to be a princess and be loved by our own prince. This book definitely fulfilled my best wishes. It’s the best fairytale that I could hope to have read.

The writing of Cass was incredible. She let me experience this book in full package. I felt how the emotions of the character as she struggle with a handful of dilemmas. I always liked it when the author didn’t just narrate the story but make the readers enter it as if we were really there.

The female character; America was determined, carefree, kind, stubborn and of coarse beautiful. I liked how her personality developed and improved with the events. She’s a little confusing. And I think it’ good that she has the nerve to break some rules and stand for the right. Prince Maxon was sweet, playful, responsible and extremely handsome. And he’s a little bit of a womanizer! Though, I think that’s unavoidable since he has 35 ladies to entertain. I loved how he’s willing to absorb all new information and knowledge concerning the society and take actions for it. Aspen; he’s a jerk. I don’t think there should ever be a love triangle because of him. But since there already is, I’ll just have to deal with it and let Cass do the thinking. By the way, he’ pretty good looking too.

I’m on team America and Maxon. I felt sparks whenever thay were together. It’s been a while since the last time I actually felt like that for book characters.

The events and setting were great. The whole thing was between the present and future. The history and status of society seems to be somewhere belonging in the future, though, the technologies and everything else described on this book was just how it is today. Living in a castle and all, what could you ever ask for?

Overall, it’s a great book. I can’t wait to know what’s going to happen in book 2. Cass really have done a good job ^^

How much I loved it?

5 hearts