The Elite by Kiera Cass

Title: The Elite

Author: Kiera Cass

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Selection #2

Pages: 323
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen

Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads.

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.

Feelings: 
I liked this book more than the first book. The world got explained a little more. I can see why some might not like this as much because it has a more political side. While it still isn't clear was Illea is the way it is and the idea around why America feel is a bit wobbly I did appreciate that the history was fleshed out more.

Let the love triangle continue. America still hasn't decided between Maxon and Aspen. No surprise there. Aspen knows that he is trying to win America back but Maxon doesn't even know that he has competition in the castle. I can see why America might waver back and forth between the two when they seem to be there for her all the time and then suddenly gone.

There was more characterization of characters that were peripheral in the last book. The King suddenly seems like your typical oppressor and the Queen like the perfect lady. Even the Rebels have more of a role in this book. I'm hoping that maybe we get to see them as characters in he last book. I think they hold potential. Besides the love triangle can only be interesting for so long before we need something else that we focus on. Hence the politics and history that American finds herself wondering about and searching out.

I have a feeling that the last book will be the most political of the three and that the post-American Illea will be explained so that we understand why things are the way they are and why the rebels are doing what they are doing and why there might be a desire for change.

I would recomend this to those that enjoyed The Selection with a note that this book is a bit more political.