The One

Title: The One

Series: The Selection Series - book 1

Author: Kiera Cass

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Number of Pages: 323

Publication Date: 2014

Publisher: Harper Collins

Summary: When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose - and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

This book is definitely my favourite of the series. In the first book, America whinged too much, and in the second book between America and Maxon's lack of communication and lack of information about the rebels, I am kind of surprised I kept going with this series. 

There was some serious character development in The One. America in this book finally learnt to let go of the past, to stop living life with a safety net. America does a lot of growing up in this book, she learns to stand and fight for her beliefs and even when intimidated and powerless to not lose who she is. This was a refreshing take on the girl she was in The Selection and The Elite. 

I would like to have seen a bit of America's strength in Maxon, especially when it came to his overbearing father. I think that if Maxon had a bit more strength and fight for what he believed in, then his and America's relationship would have had been stronger and would have had something that they had in common. While their ideas for the future of Illea are something that they share, these ideas are restricted to freeing the caste system and helping the poor but never looked at in great enough to detail to unify these two as good couple. Sometimes I felt that these two simply loved each other because they were written to do so.

The thing I loved most about the final book of Maxon and America's story was that we got answers on who the rebels were and what they wanted. FINALLY! The first two book have hinted greatly at the importance of the rebels and yet it is only in this final book that we get answers and then it's all over. For the first time we get to see how the two rebel groups really differ and the two things that are fighting for. 

I don't think that I will continue on with the rest of the books in this series, I'll just stick with reading the original three books. I don't think I could go and read about new angst filled characters. Cass' just creates a little too much angst for my tastes.

The Selection

Title: The Selection

Series: The Selection Series - book 1

Author: Kiera Cass

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

Number of Pages: 327

Publication Date: 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

Summary (from the back of the book): In a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels The Selection is a chance of a lifetime: to compete for gorgeous Prince Maxon's heart. But for America Singer it means turning her back on her secret love, and leaving home for a prize she doesn't want.

The America meets Maxon and all her plans start to crumble. Can the life she's always dreamed of compare to a future she never imagined?

This book is definitely one of a kind...it's like a dystopian meets the bachelor. Unfortunately it was this unique idea that was the only really interesting thing about this book.

As a character America Singer annoyed me. For one: she seemed to be happy living a life with no where to go, she was totally unambitious. She just wanted to keep living her life the way it was and not try and improve it. The second thing that I didn't like was that I found she came across as a very simple character, especially in the beginning of the story .However, as the book progresses America does slowly develop into a more substantial character.

The second thing that annoyed me was that the characters seem to do a lot of waiting around. There are a few occasions where America spends time with Maxon but mostly I kept getting caught up in the whole waiting for something to happen vibe.

Then when something does happen, this something being rebels its anti-climatic. Very little is said about the rebels except for there are two groups, one more dangerous than the other. Nobody knows what the rebels want, or why they come and despite the supposed frequency of the attacks no body really seems concerned with this. I'm starting to think that the characters in this book have a problem with doing anything or taking action. They all seem to be quite content to stand around and see the world go by.

But there is always that intriguing idea of selecting the future queen through a bachelor like process. I mean they even televise the event. Despite the few holes in the characters and the plot I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, light read that was entertaining. 

This book is something that I would recommend you read before, not after, an intense or long book. It would probably also be good to get out a of reading slump.

The Elite

Title: The Elite

Series: The Selection - book 2

Author: Kiera Cass

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

Number of Pages: 323

Publication Date: 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

Summary (from the back of the book): America Singer is one of the Elite and Prince Maxon only has eyes for her. If she wins the competition for heart, she will leave her pre-destined life for a world of luxury. But the outcome is less than certain; the threat of rebel violence just beyond the palace walls is escalating into war and bitter rivals are ready to take her down. And America's feelings for Maxon grow stronger, ex-lover Aspen waits for her in the shadows. Where do her loyalties truly lie?

This book is far better than the first one. The plot in this book is more thought out and the characters have started to develop some depth. One of the reasons that I think this happens is because America is finally invested in the story line. In The Selection America spends much of her time wanting to be anywhere else, to be living a different reality - and reading about a character who doesn't want to be in her own story is hard.

Which is what leads me to the thing I love the most about this book. Kiera beautifully crafted the emotional labour that someone would probably be feeling going through an experience like the Selection. With a premise like this book you end up putting the characters in some pretty emotionally hard places. First there is the love triangle between America, Maxon and all the other girls in the Selection and then as Aspen so nicely puts it: "Sometimes I feel like Maxon and I are in our own version of the Selection...and...Maxon doesn't exactly know we're competing". Naturally anyone put in a situation like this begins to get a little stressed which I was glad to finally see. For a moment I was worried that the situation wasn't going to bother any of the characters, they were all just going to go with the unrealistic flow.

All though this also lead to thing I hate must in any book: angst! I hate angst, it puts me in a really bad space and when I read about it...well I just want to put the book down and walk away. However, I did persevere and I was glad I did. Because having a bit of angst was the only way that Kiera managed to get America and Maxon to finally talk to one another. If I could have reached through the book and shaken these two I would have.

The angst did have one redeeming quality. It gave some really good insight into who America and Maxon were as characters. Obviously from page one it has been clear that America and Maxon come from two totally different worlds. America's family would go without adequate food and sometimes forfeit electricity and Maxon is a prince. There was never going to be a perfectly aligned relationship that these two assumed existed. America's fears are really brought into the light in this book. We see her struggle with not only her relationship but with her questioning if she is actually cut out for some of the hardships of being a future queen. With Maxon we see that being a prince isn't all charm and smiles but can sometimes be a cage of its own. We also get to see a not-so-perfect side of Maxon as well. The side that shows that he is an only child and a prince...so yes he is a little spoiled and good at hiding who he is really is.

The one thing that I would liked this book to have had more of was the rebels. It has been clear throughout both The Selection and The Elite that rebels are going to play some significant role. But as of yet, they haven't. I'm a bit concerned for how Kiera will play this out in the next book as I feel like all of sudden the rebel plot line could take over, when the fundamental story line is the Selection competition. I am also hoping that the next book looks a little more at the creation and structure of Illéa as I think this would give the book something more.