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Hello bookworms and welcome back! Once again, I feel like I have abandoned you all on the blogosphere. Who knew that life could get so busy after finishing high school? (I sure didn’t). Although, I probably should try and do a bit more time management… *looks away embarrassed*
BUT I DIGRESS. I am actually here (if you didn’t know already) to tell you my thoughts on the second book in ‘The Selection’ series: The Elite!
If you have not read the first book, I suggest skip reading this review.
The Elite by Kiera Cass is, ultimately, an addictive romance novel with a swoon-worthy prince and a main character who you will want to slap in the face so many times, you’ll slap the book instead (a mighty fine alternative, if you ask me!). The Elite features America, and her continuing battle in the ‘Selection’, to win Prince Maxon’s heart and hand in marriage, with the stakes higher than they were in the first book.
At first, I have this book three stars. Then, I started to ponder whether that was a fair rating and proceeded to quickly change my rating to a solid four stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The entertainment value of The Elite is fantastic. It’s written in such a way that I flew through it in a mere two days and I found myself skipping out on doing majorly important tasks to continue reading it. It’s addictive, I’ll give it that. The angst surrounding the competition and the romance between Maxon and America had me on the edge of my seat at all times. While America was a downright frustrating character, I still find myself shipping those two so much. (But honestly, Maxon deserves better… someone like me *wink*).
Critically, The Elite was fairly average. I consider this series a sort of guilty pleasure read, minus the guilty. You essentially don’t read this series for it’s intricate world-building of a new and unique social and political system (although it definitely had the potential to do that), or for it’s extensive character development or beautiful writing style… you read it for the romance, and the competition.
America is the main character in which the focus of this novel lies. She was surprisingly frustrated in this sequel. Of course, I should have been expecting it as you all warned me, and I’ve read way too many reviews complaining about America’s frustrating quality, it still came as a surprise as to how frustrating she actually was! She is extremely indecisive, to the point where she is passionately committing herself to Maxon on one page, and then the next, she is totally contradicting herself!
Which leads me to my next point. ASPEN. (That transition though, ON FLEEK) ASPEN, WHY IN THE FLIPPING WORLD ARE YOU STILL HERE. PLEASE LEAVE. I can confidently say that if Aspen had never come to the palace, there would have been no reason for any of us to get frustrated at America. None at all. I still have no good feelings towards Aspen. He doesn’t lift America up, he only brings her down. Who tells the girl they love that they are “not Princess/Queen material”? That scene made me want to burn Aspen alive. How rude.
Let’s lighten the mood a little by talking about our beloved prince: Maxon. Oh what a dear he is! My heart is and was fully devoted to him as I read The Elite. Just as compassionate, sweet and adorable as he was in The Selection, however in this sequel, there is definitely signs of him developing into a future king. (AND WHAT A KING HE WILL BE *swoons*)
After finishing The Selection, I made a comment in my review about wanting to see this series go more in the direction of exploring the world it’s set in, delving deeper into the conflict of the rebels (and possibly a kidnapping of America), BUT ALAS, WE DID NOT GET THAT. (Which sucks because I had an entire vision of what could have happened. Maybe I should write my own alternative, for laughs… *strokes chin evilly*).
There was a bit more world building, which was fantastic; learning a bit more about the history of the royal family and how the caste system came into existence. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the rebels and the more involvement with them.
Kiera Cass’s writing style is average. But it’s easy to read and it flows very nicely. It flows so nicely that I was able to race through chapter after chapter within minutes! It was a thrill, and there was a definite sense of accomplishment in finishing almost half the book within two hours.
Overall, The Elite was highly entertaining, despite certain aspects (cough cough, AMERICA) (cough cough, stupid LOVE TRIANGLE). Buuuuuut despite those negatives, it was a total thrill to read and I am already flying through The One, the last book in the series! Woot woot!
Have you read The Elite? What did you think of it?
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