The Elite by Kiera Cass

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.

Compared to The Selection, this book was a real let-down. I was so excited when I finally got to sit down and read it. But from the very first pages, I could tell it wasn't going to "wow" me. 

I feel like Kiera Cass couldn't decide whether or not she liked Prince Maxon while she was writing this. I seriously imagine her sitting at a desk, typing away about how lovely he is, just to realize that she prefers Aspen. So she then types another forty pages or so about Maxon completely ignoring America. Cass literally made me hate Maxon for about half of the book, which is something I never wanted to do. I feel like she didn't plan this out, at all. 

What also bothered me was that America seemed to whine so much more in this book. She complained to Maxon that she needed time to think about whether or not she wanted to be with him, but then when he asked for time, she completely shut him down. America claimed to be seventeen years old, but she honestly acted like she's fourteen throughout the whole book. She couldn't make up her mind about anything, and it was rather frustrating. 

Although I was really disappointed with this book, there were a few good things I'd like to point out. I couldn't really tell if the writing was engaging because it was interesting, or because it was so simple. The Elite didn't provoke any sort of thought while I was reading it (not anything deep or meaningful, anyway), but for some reason or another, I just couldn't put it down. I also really liked that the book also focused on the politics of Illea more than The Selection. I guess that was the only thing stopping The Elite from being an episode of "The Bachelor." 

I also really enjoyed the some of the characters, although the Elite girls got on my nerves. They were just too perfect. I did love reading about Marlee, Carter, and the maids, though. They, along with America's sister May (her fangirling was phenomenal), were what kept me going in the slow parts of this book. 

I know I'll end up reading the new Selection book when it comes out in 2014, but I can't say I'm not afraid of it. I don't want it to be just another teen novel with another love triangle, because that's pretty much all The Elite was for me. 

A bit of a disappointment, I rated it 3/5 stars. Mainly for Maxon still being a cutie.