~ Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass ~

Name:  The Elite

Author:  Kiera Cass   

Publisher:  Harper Teen

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Pages: 323

Format: Hardcover
Genre: YA/Dystopian
Source: Bought

AMAZON / B&N

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.

(2.5) 

I begin by saying that I adored The Selection because it was different and I had never read a book like that and it kind of reminded me of The Bachelor.  I really enjoyed it and plus, it has a beautiful cover.  The ending of the first book left me wanting to know more and I was anxiously awaiting for The Elite to see how the story was going to continue and here is what happened … *crickets* *crickets*.  I was stuck reading pages where most of the time was the main character asking for more time to make up her mind or go bouncing back and forth between her love interests in the book and playing with the boys’ hearts.

So, this is the continuation of America’s journey in The Selection. Only 6 girls remain in the competition to win Maxon’s heart and a chance to be the Princess. America has a choice to make while Aspen and Maxon battle to win her heart. The rebel attacks keep getting stronger and the king has a secret of his own. How will the story continue?

I was so excited about reading this book that I went and grabbed it the same day it came out and started reading it a few days later. Now, you ask me, what was the problem? Well, it was not what I was hoping for.  There were a few times that I wanted to throw the book against the wall (I did not do this by the way!) because I could not believe the decisions that America was making. I have yet to meet a main character that annoyed and infuriated me like America did.  She was just, Ugh, so indecisive and careless with her actions.  Most of the book she couldn't make up her mind for the life of her, one moment was, and I quote, “Oh Maxon, I just need more time to sort my feelings” and the next was “ OH Aspen, I love you”, seriously? I wanted to jump inside the book and slap the bejesus out of her!  I kept waiting for the story to spice up, for something to happen, anything! I keep running scenarios in my head on how the story should have progressed, but not a single exciting thing (for the lack of another word) happened.  Here are some of my ideas: America deserves to be kidnapped by the rebels, Aspen needs to die or get seriously injured and Prince Maxon, well he is the only reason for me to read the last book, because the guy deserves to find happiness.

The story did not meet my expectations.  Yes, it could have been better and I was hoping for much more.  I wish I could say something that I liked about The Elite, but I keep racking my brain and can’t find anything besides that I absolutely love the cover, but that doesn't make up for the writing and the plot.  Now, I will go hideaway and eat chocolate because that is what America makes me do. Ha!