Review: The Elite (Kiera Cass)

Title: The Elite
Series: The Selection, Book 2*
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Edition: ARC (releases April 23, 2013)
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Romance
Told: First Person (America), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (sensuality, scary situations, a scene of medieval punishment)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

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 Illéa.

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.

*          *          *

Cover: Almost as gorgeous as the first book. *pets*

Writing: Easy, breezy, refreshing. Kiera's style makes reading effortless, like you're not actually reading anything but simply enjoying a good story.

Setting: This dystopian future finds us in the country of Illéa, which appears to be an amalgamation of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and a few other nearby islands after some probable U.S. takeovers and wars. Technology has backpedaled and formed to fit the needs of the people (aka the government) - computers and phones are scarce, but television is everywhere (although mostly for propaganda). The exact location of the capital is murky but unnecessary as we never leave the palace in this book, the setting nothing more than a stage for the story - as it should be, in my opinion. The style of living, however, rises to the forefront as the subject of the castes - and their unjust rigidity - are spotlighted from many different directions. In this book we learn more about the history of Illéa and how it came to be, and it is most enlightening - and frightening.

Story: There is a little more action in this book than The Selection, but overall the story maintains a steady, constant pace that doesn't let up until "End of Book Two." The Selected have been whittled down to the Elite, the final six, and the competition rises to a whole new level as the girls battle for Prince Maxon's hand - and/or the power of the crown. America must now decide not only between Maxon and Aspen, but figure out if she has what it takes to be queen. But as she struggles to make sense of her emotions and tackle the tests as they escalate in difficulty, life continues to progress and alter around her. When shocking revelations about the history of Illéa and the Selection begin to surface, America must decide what - and who - is ultimately worth fighting for.

Characters: America continues to be a realistic and relatable character as she struggles with both her confused and conflicting emotions and her capabilities to wear the crown. Being with the prince means someday becoming queen, and with people telling her that she both would and would not make a good ruler, she must decide for herself. Along the way she triumphs and fails and can't help but make mistakes (several of which ultimately hurt her), but slowly she starts finding her strength of heart and self, earning my declaration of "Team America" for much of the book.

Maxon is...complicated. In The Selection he was the glowing image of the prince we all dream of, but in The Elite we begin to see how very human he can be - and it isn't always pretty. To my chagrin, Aspen's worth rose, even in my eyes - although probably not in all the ways he would have liked it to - and he remains an important face in the cast, as well as that pesky bottom left corner of the love triangle.

Relationships: Such a rollercoaster. I changed "teams" several times, and I'm not normally like that. Kiera does an excellent job of making us just as unsure of the boys - and America's feelings for them - as America is. At one point I couldn't stand one of them (no spoilers on who ;), but when America stopped being mad at him, so did I. My emotions connected directly with America's, and with each twist of her heart I had an equal twist as well. I found America's confusion and indecision, along the actions of the boys, realistic, and in some instances raw and maybe a little too human for the fairytale ending I'm hoping this will ultimately become.

Conclusion: I loved this book as much as The Selection, with its easy writing style, relatable characters, and realistic relationships. I cannot recommend The Elite highly enough, and look forward to Book 3 with great anticipation!

*My review of Book 1, The Selection, can be found here.

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles

Review: The Selection (Kiera Cass)

Title: The Selection
Series: The Selection, Book 1
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Romance
Told: First Person (America), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (sensuality, some violence, scary situations)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary: 

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.

*          *          *

Cover: So beautiful - definitely one of my favorites. I could stare at it all day. *pets*

Writing: Easy, breezy, refreshing; a quick read. Like really good writing should be (in my opinion, anyway), the prose was almost unnoticeable, so much so that I forgot I was even reading because I got so lost in the story.

Setting: How Illéa came to be in this dystopian future was murky, but it appeared to be a collection of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and a few other nearby islands. The book mainly sticks to two locations: America's home, and the capital/palace, where the royal family lives. I wasn't sure where exactly these were located, but it wasn't important to the story. Technology is not prevalent, with phones and computers scarce and only "public access" (aka propaganda) television available free to all.

The country is structured on a rather imprudent caste system - there are eight levels, One being the highest (royalty) and Seven being the lowest, with Eight being the outcasts. Each level has its own field of expertise, and you must find work within your level - even if you have no talent for it. For example, America is a Five, which means she must be an "artist." Luckily she has a passion for music, but her little brother has no affinity for the arts at all. His talents lie in sports and science, but because he is a Five he has no choice but to find work in the arts - or eventually starve. Aspen is a Six, which means he must be a "servant," even though he's much smarter and could do so much better for himself and his family if only he was allowed to. But outside of a miracle, or a lot of money, it's impossible to climb your way up the castes to get yourself a better life, no matter how talented - or untalented - you are in your caste. The history behind how the castes came to be is unclear, but they are at the forefront of the story as they dictate how everyone lives - and loves.

Story: The story is as simple as "if Prince Harry did The Bachelor in a caste-dominated dystopian future." And it even follows like a reality show - we open on America in her normal life and follow her through the selection process, all the steps that lead to the palace, and then all the rituals and tests that come there. But don't be fooled by it's simplicity - the pacing is perfectly balanced with interaction and reaction, and like a good reality show all the "boring bits" are edited out to maximize the story's full potential. I will say there isn't a lot of action - this is most certainly a romance - but it's definitely not your typical YA romance.

Characters: Where most YA characters begin awkward and out of place in their current situation, America is the opposite - she is right at home with her family, life, even her caste. But she isn't afraid to give all that up for the one she loves (Aspen), preparing herself for the inevitable changes instead of bemoaning her fate. It isn't until she becomes a part of the Selection that she finds herself out of her element, and depth - where a normal YA character would discover where they truly belong, America again finds the opposite. But she shows great strength of character and heart as she tries to make a place for herself in her new situation, while still maintaining who she truly is. One cannot help but love America - she's brave, compassionate, a fierce friend, and highly realistic and relatable. 

For the boys, I found Aspen prideful and untrustworthy and didn't like him much. I celebrated when he was out of the picture and wasn't happy when he returned. Prince Maxon is sweet and gentle and regal and a boy I could definitely fall for - needless to say, I'm completely Team Maxon.

Relationships: Most YA books see romance being an immediate and overpowering occurrence, but America's passion for Aspen was built over several years, and her connection with Maxon begins first as a friendship before blossoming into something more with time (aka my favorite kind of love). I haven't read such realistic relationships in quite a while, and I became highly invested in both of them. 

The Reviews: I do know about the kerfuffle last year involving the author and her agent (or was it her editor?) lambasting a reviewer on Goodreads for giving this book a bad review, and how several fellow reviewers refuse to read this book because of it. While I do totally believe the author shouldn't have gone there, my motto with all my entertainment is: "You can like the product, but you don't have to like the person who made it." Everyone is human - don't miss out on a good book just because the author made a human mistake.

Conclusion: This is one hundred percent my kind of book - easy writing, light romance, and a main character with a backbone and a heart that doesn't immediately fall for the first person she sees. I will be re-reading this one again and again whenever I need a reminder of what good fiction is to me. Highly recommended.

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles