BOOK REVIEW: The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

ARC was provided by Harper Teen for a review.

Synopsis:
In America Singer’s world, a bride is chosen for the prince through an elaborate televised competition. In the second book of the Selection series, America is one of only six girls left in the running. But is it Prince Maxon—and life as the queen—she wants? Or is it Aspen, her first love?

 

 Rate: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

My Thoughts:

     The Elite is the second book in The Selection Trilogy. The story continues a little after the end of book one.

     America is one of the six girls still remaining in The Selection- A competition to win the heart of Prince Maxon, and to win the crown to become Queen. All six girls are now known as The Elite. America can't seem to decide who she loves more, Prince Maxon, who she cares about more then she originally thought, or Aspen, her first love, who is now a guard at the palace. While America is torn between the two, the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want, and America's chances at choosing starts to slowly slip away.

     I really loved the growth of alot of the characters in this book. In the first book, you didn't really get to know about most of the other girls in the selection. You actually knew very little, other then a few little details about them. You start to learn more and more about the five other girls that remain at the palace. You definitely see the most growth in Kriss and Marlee, two of the girls in The Elite. And they slowly became two of my favorite characters. 

      America was a little different, though. While in the first book, she was awesome and fun, with just a bit of snark to her, she isn't like that in the second book. At least not as much. I found that she would constantly flip-flop between loving Maxon and Aspen. One second "I LOVE MAXON" the next second "I HATE MAXON, AND I WILL FOREVER LOVE ASPEN" It was a little weird. Then again, most teen girls ARE like that, when they are in a relationship. But the flip-flopping didn't drive me away from all the good parts about America. She really grows in the second book. She learns how to defend herself, and how to stand up for those she loves.

     Maxon is by far my favorite character in this book. Even though he tends to do a couple stupid things. *NO SPOILERS* He wasn't my favorite character in the first book (That part was reserved for Marlee), but I started loving his character more and more. Don't get me wrong, I still love Marlee, but Maxon is such a cute a adorable hopeless romantic. I couldn't help but to fall in love with his character. And you could really tell he loved America (Except in said stupid moments where he does some stupid things)

      Aspen is a great character, but I couldn't help but hate him all throughout the book. Now depending on whether you hated or loved him in the first book, your opinion probably won't change in the second book. He really doesn't change. At all. Aspen stays Aspen. Although, he does try a little harder to get America to love him.

     Now the king.... I hate him. I didn't even have to think twice about this one! You start learning more about the king and queen. The queen is totally awesome and great and...well...an Queen. But the king.....just grinded my gears so much! I did NOT enjoy him. Yet he did seem to add a bit more to the story, so kudos to that!

     One of my favorite parts in the book where the rebel attacks! They added so much more action and mystery. You couldn't help but wonder why they kept attacking the palace and what they where looking for. Because in the first book, they make it clear that the reason the rebels search and break through all the furniture was because they where looking for something. You just don't know what. Until now. They sortta give you a hint as to what they're looking for.

    All in all, I found this book really great! The reason I deducted a point was because of America's flip-flopping. That got 1/2 a point taken off. The other half was taken off, because near the end, America starts acting like a child, and starts acting without thinking. But the plot and story were awesome. I don't want to spoil anything for you guys, but I really really hope America and Maxon stay together. And I can't wait till the third and final book in the trilogy! :) 

 

Quotes:

 

"America: What else are you bad at?

 *He held me close, his brown eyes bright with a secret*

Maxon: Recently I've discovered this one thing...

America: Tell

Maxon: It turns out I'm absolutely terrible at staying away from you. It's a very serious problem"

― Kiera Cass, The Selection

 

 

"Time. I was asking for alot of it these days. I hoped that if I had enough, everything would somehow fall into place"

― Kiera Cass, The Selection

 

 

"I flipped through the book looking for any mention of her, ignoring everything else, until I found a picture of a girl standing next to a man who appeared to be much older.  Maybe it was just my imagination, but she looked like she'd been crying."

― Kiera Cass, The Selection

 

" 'Your Majesty?' Someone asked. 'Oh, God! I've found him,' he screamed. 'He's alive!' "

    ― Kiera Cass, The Selection