Review- The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite

Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN:  0062059963

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Loved!!!!!!!!!!!

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From Goodreads.

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

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.

Ok. So I liked The Selection it was a fast light read and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Elite. What I didn’t expect was that I’d love this book so much more than the first! Kiera took what she did in The Selection and made it so much more! Yes there’s still the Bachelor-esque moments that made me cringe like they did in the first book but not as many. This one delves more into the politics of the world and if America thinks she can be a queen.

It also has the love triangle that many people moan and groan about but, I think she’s done a great job with it. There were many places in this book that I flipped flopped between Maxon and Aspen. I was fully Team Aspen in book 1 and I was actually angry that she made me start to feel something for Maxon. I will tell you that by the end of the book I was fully back on Aspen’s side though. There’s something that happens…that in my mind can’t be forgiven.

As for the story it’s darker which I really loved and we get to meet new characters some who could be great allies and some great enemies and I can’t wait to read book 3 to see if my sneaking suspicions come true!

And because I didn’t want to make Aspen or Maxon lovers angry I’ve chosen two small passages to share with you!

Maxon and America.

I sighed trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t want to leave all of this.”

“If I remember correctly, the first time we met, you said it was like a cage.” He smiled. “It does grow on you, though, doesn’t it?”

I gave my head a small shake. “Sometimes you can be so stupid.” A weak laugh pushed through my choked-up throat.

Maxon let me pull away just enough so I could look into his brown eyes.

“Not the palace, Maxon. I could care less about the clothes or my bed or, believe it or not, the food”

Maxon Laughed. It had been no secret how excited I had been about the extravagant meals here.

“It’s you,” I said. “I don’t want to leave you”

“Me?”

I nodded.

“You want me?”

I giggled at his bewildered expression. “That’s what I’m saying.”

He paused for a moment. “How--But—What did I do?”

Aspen and America.

I sighed and went to get a cup of water. Aspen followed me while the rest of the girls left.

“So,” he started. I did a sweep of the room to make sure no one was watching. “I have to assume that if you’re not worried about me, you’re worried about him.”

I lowered my eyes and blushed. How well he knew me.

“Not that I’m cheering for him or anything, but if he can’t see how amazing you are, he’s an idiot.”

I smiled, continuing to study the floor.

“And if you don’t get to be princess then, so what? That doesn’t make you any less incredible. And you know…you know…” He couldn’t get out what he wanted to say, and I risked looking at his face.

In Aspen’s eyes I saw a thousand different endings to that sentence, all of them connecting him to me. That he was still waiting for me. That he knew me better than anyone. That we were the same. That a few months at the palace couldn’t erase two years. No matter what, Aspen would always be there for me.

“I know, Aspen. I do”