Series: The Selection, #2
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publish Date: April 23rd, 2013
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Rating: 4/5 – I need to know what happens next!

Synopsis: 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.
-Goodreads

Review: Ahhhhh, I love this series! The Elite was one of my most highly anticipated 2013 titles. I reread The Selection a month ago, and was ready to go as soon as I could get my hands on the sequel. So, what was the result? I really enjoyed it. Loved it even. Not quite jumping up and down, sleeping with it under my pillow until the next one comes out, but it was everything I hoped it would be, and managed to live up to the first book… so that’s saying a lot.

Where book one kind of had a slow build, the drama in this one just kept coming. There were a few moments that fell a little flat of expectations, but others that will absolutely rip your heart out. The love triangle is one of those “not quite there” elements, as I still can’t bring myself to root for Aspen even a little, so it was a little frustrating watching America hem and haw over something that seems pretty obvious, but I guess that’s to be expected with these kinds of romance stories.

Where the book really shone was in America’s other relationships. There are a lot of ups and downs with her and the other selected girls, as well as some big revelations about the royal family. There are also some bits and pieces thrown in about her own family, but not enough to be truly satisfying. I hope all the tidbits Kiera Cass has given us about them will come together with the last book.

Overall The Elite was a fun, fast read that I didn’t want to put down. The world-building and characters remain on par with book one, and the story won’t leave you disappointed.

Also, I’m really hoping the pilot gets green-lit  Although, after reading this book, having Anthony Steward Head play the King will basically break my heart.

Purchase The Elite
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Second Opinions:
@Books With Bite
@Narratively Speaking
@The Bawdy Book Blog