Review: The One (The Selection #3)

Title: The One (The Selection #3)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 323

My Rating: 

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. -goodreads.com

Alright, so... I have mixed feelings. This series was an easy read, because there's no real action in them. Yes, I know the rebels exist, but in all honesty they never once felt like a real threat. Not one time! Whenever they would show up I would think to myself, "Oh yeah, I forgot there's outside forces trying to break in". The ending was happy, and I'm a sucker for happy endings, but it all felt so rushed.

I might be hated for this [please forgive me] BUT.... The whole love triangle didn't even seem real. Of course I was Team Maxon but that was only because Aspen never really had his moment to shine. Yeah he was a guard and risked everything to be with America, but I feel like we never really got to know him. I always compare love triangles to the MOTHER of all love triangles; Twilight. In New Moon we got a whole book to get to know Jacob (did I like it in the beginning? Hell freaking no, BUT it gave us the chance to possibly consider someone that wasn't Edward). In The Selection series, I feel like Aspen was kinda just THERE... Like a fly that won't go away even after you shoo it.

Overall, I enjoyed this series and it did have it's romantic moments (Maxon's letter), but at the end of the day that's all it was romance. Which usually I don't complain about, but I just couldn't make it work for me personally when it came to this book. 

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass (The Selection #2)

Title: The Elite (The Selection #2)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HaperTeen
Pages: 336

My Rating:

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. -goodreads.com

Not as good as the first, but just as enjoyable. I honestly don't know what "team" I belong to... Leaning more towards Maxon but it's hard to say simply because I didn't like him as much in book two as I did in one.  I did very much enjoy the background/history of Ilea, and the explanations for the castes. I honestly wish we would have got a bit more action. Every time I thought America might be in trouble, she was magically rescued. Like come on, Cass! She's a big girl, she can take care of herself. It's almost as the author is afraid to write action scenes from the fear of them not having the desired effect with the audience...? Just my opinion.

America was a little too wimpy for my taste in The Elite. "I don't know who to choose, I love them both!" Get your head out of your ass woman! You have a crown to claim and a country to run. You talk the talk but can you walk it? At this point I'm not sure. I really didn't care for any of the other girls. I get that I'm not supposed to since they're practically the competition of our mc, but even then I don't think I enjoyed reading about them.

The more I write the review the more I wonder why the hell I gave it 4 stars, but the truth is I liked it. I don't know what's wrong with me.... I'm a sucker for these hopeless romantic stories, and even though I did roll my eyes a few times (actually, very often haha), you can bet your bottom I already have book three on my night stand waiting for my to crack that spine open! 

Review: The Selection by Kierra Cass (The Selection #1)

Title: The Selection (The Selection #1)
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages:336

Rating: 

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. -goodreads.com

I don't know what it is about these types of books, but I'm a sucker for them. I've read countless reviews on how sexist and poorly written this series is, yet here I am... Having finished book one and actually looking very much forward to book two.

I have to admit, The Selection was a quick fun read. Only thing that really bugged me was the fact that Maxon was such a wimp at times. "I don't know what to do when women cry!"..... REALLYYYY!???? You're holding a Selection with 35 other women, yet you don't know how to handle a little bit of tears??? Hon, you're in for a whirlwind of problems! I liked America, she's easy to relate to and I truly did find myself rooting for her. I feel like Aspen and America's relationship really wasn't developed and felt too childish. I understand they're both teenagers, but even then they both just seemed so immature.

So if you're thinking, "Why the hell did you give it 5 stars?", my answer is I have no damn clue! hahaha! I'm serious, I just really liked the fact that I finished it so fast and it held my attention until the very end. The cliffhanger was inevitable so I'm kinda excited to start book two.