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The Elite (The Selection, #2)

Kiera Cass

Start date: March 7, 2022

Finish date: April 7, 2022

Discussion: Buddy Reads 2022

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What Members Thought

Mar 01, 2013 Megan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: behind-enemy-lines, borrow-or-need-to-buy, read-in-2015, ammp-fall-into-reading-2015, november-2015, 2015-series-read-along-november-dec

I loved this book even more than the Selection, which is always a good thing to me. I liked that there were a lot less girls left, just 6, which made it a lot more fun and interesting to read. Maxon seemed a little different in this book, but I feel that a lot of the changes were because of how America had treated him. I didn't like America's indecision, at all! The ending was dramatic and very good, left me wanting to start the next book immediately. I definitely would recommend this series. ...more

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Oct 02, 2013 Antonia rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-books, i-own

This book, the second in The Selection series, left a somewhat bittersweet taste in my mouth.

Considering the fact that I particularly enjoyed the first book, this installment disappointed me. Not wanting to be unfair with the author though, I'll firstly point out what I didn't like and then I'll go on listing what I did.
America Singer left me the impression that she wasn't as smart and stable as she was in the first book. She kept on bouncing from loving Maxon to loving Aspen and back again, as This book, the second in The Selection series, left a somewhat bittersweet taste in my mouth.

Considering the fact that I particularly enjoyed the first book, this installment disappointed me. Not wanting to be unfair with the author though, I'll firstly point out what I didn't like and then I'll go on listing what I did.
America Singer left me the impression that she wasn't as smart and stable as she was in the first book. She kept on bouncing from loving Maxon to loving Aspen and back again, as if these boys were her toys. But if I want to be realistic, I'd say that if this story was unfolded in real life, a girl like America would probably have a hard time deciding what's the best for her since deriving from a lower cast doesn't make you quite familiar with the whole being-a-princess thing. Furthermore, I strongly disliked Aspen. It felt like he was promising to be there for America but in the end he kept pushing her towards feelings that she clearly couldn't handle well. Not at all team Aspen, I hope Maxon is the choice of America.
On the other hand, I liked how in this novel we learnt a lot more about the rebels, the wars in other states of this futuristic world, the feelings of the other candidates of the Selection show and some dark secrets for the history of Illéa and Prince Maxon himself. The plot wasn't anything extravagant and it crawled a bit, rather than widely unfolding. I'm a bit of the opinion that "The Selection" and "The Elite" could have been tied into one volume, rather than being separated, the story dragged on at some parts without revealing a spicy detail, for instance, or a plot twist.
Overall, 2 out of 5 stars, or maybe 2.5. It wasn't as bad as you may think after reading all this, the language was a bit simplistic, but overall I guess I enjoyed it without giving me chills of excitement. If you read the first book, I'd recommend you to go on and read this one too because it clarifies some questions you may have had after finishing "The Selection", plus the end is kind of sweet and leaves you anticipating for more. I'm definitely going to read "The One" and lets hope both America and Maxon get what their souls and hearts really deserve and desire. ...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Maria (a) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, read-in-dutch

I liked this book; like the first one, the writing just flowed (though again, I read this in translation). I’m trying to figure out what to say about the story itself, but am only now realising that... not all that much happens. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. The Selection is a series that definitely evolves more about its characters than about its plot, and The Elite shows more and more who Maxon is and what life could be like if America chooses him.

The entire book takes place at I liked this book; like the first one, the writing just flowed (though again, I read this in translation). I’m trying to figure out what to say about the story itself, but am only now realising that... not all that much happens. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. The Selection is a series that definitely evolves more about its characters than about its plot, and The Elite shows more and more who Maxon is and what life could be like if America chooses him.

The entire book takes place at the palace, where America is competing with 5 other girls for Maxon’s love – and for the crown. There was slightly more world-building in this one, most notable from diary entries from way back when Illea was founded and from the rebel attacks that are growing more and more frequent. The world-building is still too much background for this to turn into a dystopian story, though.

America started to become a little annoying in this book. Among other things, her jealousy drove me crazy at times, because a) as long as she doesn’t make up her mind, Maxon has to prepare for the possibility that she might not choose him, in which case he needs another bride – so of course he’s trying to get to know the other girls, trying to find someone who he would be willing to spend the rest of his life with and b) her own feelings for Aspen should make it clear to her that a choice isn’t always as easy as she thinks it should be for Maxon. I know jealousy isn’t exactly a rational emotion, but she could at least acknowledge that what she’s feeling is a bit hypocritical. Also, she refused to talk to Maxon about any of her doubts, which was just plain stupid. Talking to the guy would have eliminated about a quarter of the book in which she got lost in her own insecurities…

Prince Maxon is still my favourite character. He’s kind, compassionate... to me, he’s a regular prince charming. He definitely is the reason why I still truly enjoyed this book. Unfortunately, Aspen still doesn’t get much of a personality, making the love triangle – which, as feared, gets pretty much centre stage in this part – both forced and extremely uninteresting.

As far as the other girls go, I started to quite like Kriss.

I am definitely curious about the next part, but am not jumping up and down in impatience.
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Oct 23, 2013 Sally906 rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, romance, adventure, dystopian

Opening line: ‘…The Angeles air was quiet, and for a moment I lay still, listening to the sound of Maxon’s breathing…’

First of all THE ELITE is aimed at teens – the sort of teens who love watching shows like Beauty and the Geek, The Batchelor, Who wants to marry a millionaire and their ilk. A group of beautiful women all battling to be the top female and win the heart of the hapless male bimbo.

So if anyone is expecting an in-depth thesis on how dystopian societies work they are going to be sadly Opening line: ‘…The Angeles air was quiet, and for a moment I lay still, listening to the sound of Maxon’s breathing…’

First of all THE ELITE is aimed at teens – the sort of teens who love watching shows like Beauty and the Geek, The Batchelor, Who wants to marry a millionaire and their ilk. A group of beautiful women all battling to be the top female and win the heart of the hapless male bimbo.

So if anyone is expecting an in-depth thesis on how dystopian societies work they are going to be sadly let down. If you are looking for a light read, with a touch of growing awareness that something is not right with society then you will be much happier.

THE ELITE picks up from where ‘The Chosen’ left off, thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection now all but six have been sent home. Only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea. America Singer has made it to the final six girls all competing to be Prince Maxon’s bride. Her past boyfriend, Aspen, is still vying for her attention while America runs hot and cold over her feelings for the Prince. This lack of decision lasts all through the book and actually irked me – she pushes him away then sulks when he pays attention to one of the other girls. What is expanded on though is the history of Illea and how it came to be the segregated society it is today. The reader also gets to see how other countries of the world view Illea when there is a cultural visit from two different lands. The rebel attacks intensify and during one raid America learns that the rebels are seeking something believed to be hidden in the palace. So we have a potential queen with friends from foreign lands and closer to hand rebels, this could prove interesting for the final instalment! America also gets the chance to stand up and tell the nation what activity they would like to pursue should she become a queen; she picks a doozy of a plan and although popular with the people she makes a dangerous new enemy.

I continue to enjoy the series, the first two books have both been a light read and totally different to the dark angst ridden societies in other teen dystopian books. Maxon has made up his mind who he wants to marry and says she only has to say the word and he’ll send the other girls home. Of course blow hot, blow cold America won’t give him a firm reply. As a sign of his love for America Maxon reveals many secrets, and one in particular is quite horrific and involves scars. America is quite naïve and doesn’t always stop to think about the possible interpretation and repercussions of her actions. Some of this lack of thought stems from her not knowing what she wants – which is very realistic considering her age. I did think though that the lack of communication between America and Maxon was really infuriating, and because there was this lack of communication going on then, of course, America made some stupid decisions and then whined about it. And don’t get me started on Aspen – I would have him shot at dawn if I could. Nasty, selfish boy, he is certainly old enough to be aware of the consequences of his attentions and still continues to endanger the girl he professes to love! Still America is slowly growing as a character and I think she shows the potential to do really well and maybe become the One. All will be revealed in the final book in the trilogy due out in a few months – I have ‘The One’ on preorder and can’t wait.

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