The One

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

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 realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

*Contains Spoilers*

I wonder if it says anything about my personality that I always seem to like the last books in a series the best... No matter, it rings true for Kiera Cass and her novel, The One, the third novel of The Selection. America has made it to the Elite (one of the last girls standing in this prince themed bachelor contest) and soon Maxon will make his decision. But we've known all along that it would be America... if only she'd promise her love to Maxon. 

Throughout the whole series, America has been an 'off and on' likeable character. There have been moments that I hated her, and moments that I loved her. Examples? I hated her when she started sneaking around the castle with Aspen. I loved her when she tried to save Marlee from being punished. Her wishy-washy attitude and indecisiveness didn't help her cause. Though a love triangle can be confusing, I'm sure. In this third book, I have to say I was finally swayed to her side. She does in the end realize that she is in love with Maxon. Though it is almost too late. Readers also witness her reaction to the death of a family member, and that is a very relatable, heartbreaking, moment. And then in her selfless nature, she attempts to protect others with her life during a rebel attack. I wonder if any other readers had been on the fence about America until this book. 

The plot of The One is the ending to The Selection process. America, Kriss, Elise, and Celeste are the final four. America is still unsure of whether she really wants to be the princess. She has learned a lot about herself, her personality, and her heart in this contest. When she realizes that she's been holding back since Aspen broke her heart, America is determined to be open to Maxon. And that's when things get even more complicated. More rebel attacks with unexpected Northern allies, a marriage proposal, a huge betrayal, and near death experiences that include America getting shot! This third book is full of intense situations that all lead up to one thing: Maxon's marriage. My jaw dropped open more than once as I read the conclusion to America's story. The One is definitely an entertaining ride, and in the end, I am glad that Maxon and America came together. 

(Even if I was rooting for Kriss for a while there.)

And now... The Heir? 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

The Elite

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

*May Contain Spoilers*

America Singer is still in the running to be the country's next princess in The Elite by Kiera Cass, the second book in The Selection series. At first, America wanted nothing to do with the competition. She was heartbroken. Prince Maxon understood and appreciated her honesty. But now, she's in to find out whether Maxon or Aspen (the first boy to break her heart) is the right guy for her. 

America, sadly, loses points with me in this sequel. She's still compassionate and caring. But sneaking around with Aspen while she's supposed to be dating the Prince...? Erhm. That definitely doesn't sit well with me. Watching America begin to fall for Maxon in the first book, combined with her generous and loving personality, was what won me over. But she seems so wishy-washy in this book that I just wanted to yell at her to make up her mind. I understand, two great guys, each one so unique in their abilities and natures, but seriously. Seriously. It was a little tiring watching her bounce between liking Aspen and then disliking him, liking Maxon and then disliking him. Over and over. America also becomes so closed off that it's tough to take. I loved her openness with Maxon in the first book, tiptoeing to the edge of bluntness. Now, she draws one negative conclusion and she's racing away from him like he's the devil incarnate. I feel like these situations, assumptions, and indecisiveness will disconnect readers from her character. Though her relationship with her father truly warmed my heart. 

The Elite's plot is quite similar to the first one. Obviously, she's still in the competition and Prince Maxon is the bachelor. But now, Aspen is working in the palace as a guard and is determined to show America that he was wrong by ending their relationship. However, she has decided that she should attempt to win Maxon's heart, and give her own time to decide if she could ever love the Prince. But then after she admits it's a possibility, she begins to sabotage her own happiness. Why? That's a good question. She's obviously scared about her duties as the Princess and the future Queen, which is very understandable. And that may be the only reason I still feel connected to her at all. At the end of this installment, *spoiler alert* America is nearly kicked out of The Selection, but she gets to stay on a technicality and a promise of good behavior. I am going to read the third book, don't get me wrong, but I'll be reading it to find out the end to Maxon's story and the mystery behind the rebel attacks. I hope America can bring me back to her side, cause I'm caught in the middle between her and Kriss.

Rating: 2/5 Cups

 

WWW Wednesday (157)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Minutes away from starting The Man Who Loved Too Much by John Rachel. The story of Billy Green who seems quite unlucky and marked for a disaster.

02. Recently Finished:
The Selection by Kiera Cass. The first novel in the series about a young woman, America, who enters a contest to marry the Prince, but she has to beat 34 other girls to do so.

03. Reading Next:
Probably Find the Rainbow by Traci Borum. The second in the Chilton Cross series, I'm excited to see where this book travels.

The Selection

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Kiera Cass gives readers a futuristic, written version of "The Bachelorette" with a royal twist. After WWIV, the United States has become Illea, ruled not by a president but by a King and Queen. Now, the Prince is looking for a wife and to find one he must go through The Selection, a contest for 35 girls who go up against each other to see which one will become the Princess. 

The main character of The Selection is America Singer, born into caste level five which include musicians and artists. America has a positive outlook, always keeps her head up, and is very level headed. She loves her family and wants nothing more then to spend the rest of her life with the man that she falls in love with. America is very talented on the violin, among other instruments. She's giving, caring, compassionate, and friendly. Readers will fall in love with her more and more with each chapter. Though it's difficult to connect with her specific situation, if we zoom out a little bit, it's easier to take it in. America is growing into an adult and wants to be able to provide for her future. A future that she would like to choose for herself. As she discovers what she wants in a life partner, through the selection process, readers can relate to the surprising nature of desires and the uncertainty of shifting feelings, hopes, and dreams. 

The Selection begins with a letter announcing that the search for the next princess is about to begin. Though America doesn't want to take part, she is convinced to give it a go. Surprising to everyone, except the reader, America is chosen as one of the 35 lucky girls. She, however, is only going to get away from Aspen, the first man to break her heart. She quickly becomes friends with the Prince, in a quite hilarious way, and tells him everything. Feeling quite lucky to have found a friend, the Prince agrees to let America stay though she doesn't want to actually participate in the contest. But, as previously stated, feelings shift and unexpected kisses do happen. Kiera Cass keeps readers entertained with witticism and sticky situations. I literally laughed out loud more than once! Though I'm not sure who I'm rooting for in the selection or for America, I am intrigued enough to keep reading. But would it be incredibly predictable if America did win? She is the one who the story is about. I hope there's a big twist somewhere in the next two books, or I may be left feeling a little disappointed. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (163)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



The Selection (p.313)
   - Kiera Cass

We dropped to nineteen, and it suddenly felt like this was all moving too quickly. Still, I couldn't have predicted how much faster it would become.