Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Publishers: HarperTeen
Published Date: April 23rd 2013
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 3.5 out of 5

  

 My review of The Selection by Keira 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 much anticipated sequel to The Selection is almost upon us but is it as good as the first one I hear you ask? Well, it is and it isn't.

Firstly, the story continues pretty much where we left off. Six girls are now left in the competition except now the other girls actually mean to win Prince Maxon. This is no longer a test of the nice girls versus the nasty. It's each for themselves.

America begins still as Prince Maxon's favourite but now that ex-flame Aspen is on the scene whispering promises into her ear she's indecisive in what she actually wants. Maxon has blatantly told her he would call the competition off to announce their engagement, but America shies away. Aspen continues to fight for America in his own way and pretty soon America is all hither and dither about which way her heart lies. Maxons frustration becomes apparent when he chooses to spend more time with one of her competitors.

America could lose it all. The chance to be a Princess, the ability to give her family a better life, what must she do?

The rest of the behind the scenes parts of the story are good. The rebels try a few times to infiltrate the palace to capture the royal family, the King shows America exactly what he thinks of her, and she manages to find a backbone with an important project that goes out live on TV only to have the King almost expel her from the competition. And she discovers a shocking secret about Prince Maxon.

Its nice to continue with a story once you know who everyone is. That feeling when you're in a nice comfy sofa and you want the book to take you away and entertain you. To an extent The Elite did that, but not as much as I would have liked. America was annoying throughout a good part of the book. Her indecision leading to frequent tears didn't go down well with me, however Prince Maxon was the true hero of this book. He saved the day.

Knowing how this ended I have no doubt that the next one will be more in line with a stronger America. Now she knows who to fight for.

-CBx

You can reach Kiera Cass here:

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