The Elite by Kiera Cass Series: The Selection #2
Publisher: HarperTeen (2013)
Audiobook
{7 hours and 42 minutes} (336 pages)
Rating:
Also by this author: The One, The Heir, The Selection Stores: The Prince & The Guard
Also in this series: The One, The Heir, The Selection Stores: The Prince & The Guard
Reading Challenges: Read 2014
Synopsis
The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?
America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.
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I got this audiobook on Audible last year about this time before I drove across the country to return home from grad school. It was a great book to listen to when driving. I just finished rereading, or rather re-listening, to The Elite while walking back and forth to the school I work at.
What I Liked
I liked the story a lot. The theme of competition for an eligible man reminds me quite a bit of The Bachelor. While I was never really a fan of that TV show, something with The Selection series is different. The guy being the prince is nice and the covers are pretty awesome. The cover of The Selection was actually the reason I picked the book up in the first place. I kind of tend to judge books by their cover and synopsis.
I liked the tension between Maxon and Aspen. America needs to make a decision. Seriously, I kind of got upset with her the way she is… fickle, I guess is the word. I understand why she does what she does but at the same time I almost felt like yelling DON’T DO THAT!! Without the Maxon-Aspen dichotomy, there really wouldn’t be much of a story.
What I Wanted More Of
I sort of kept waiting for something else to happen. It seemed like there was only the Selection going on. Sure, there were mentions of East Asia and rebels did come to the palace, but I really feel like I have no idea what else was happening besides what America was involved in. Yes, that is first person writing but I just feel like… something was missing.
Characters
I like America as a narrator, really, I do. However, it would have been nice to have a bit of a different perspective. I feel like some of the characters weren’t really ones I could connect with. Natalie, for example, I really have a hard time remembering much about her and she was one of the Elite.
On the other hand, America really develops and you can see quite a few changes from when she first arrived at the palace. Especially at the very end of the book we can really see how much America has grown. I love that she isn’t a stagnant character.
Conclusion
I really like this book. I am going to have to use my next Audible credit to acquire The One. Great job on this book, Kiera Cass, great job.
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