Amy's View: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass
♦publisher: HarperTeen
♦release date: April 23rd, 2013
♦hardcover, 323 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦ series: The Selection, book 2
   Becky's review of book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

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.

Review: In this second book to The Selection series, America is still torn between first her love, Aspen and Prince Maxon, yet she is the only one in the competition who finds her heart divided. The remaining girls know exactly what they want and will go to any lengths to safeguard their chance to win the Prince's heart and the crown.

The Selection series is becoming the makings for the perfect television show or movie. With the right amounts of action, love, backstabbing and competition of multiple intentions (love vs. crown).
Love and friendship is tested to the greatest lengths, as remaining girl’s lives are shattered and the real meaning behind holding the crown is presented before them. While strength of character is discovered allegiances are drawn, opening the book up to a whole new depth. 

Within the first few chapters I had my mind made up that a decision had already been forged in America's mind, yet nothing could have prepared me for the change in the books direction. I was shocked by the moments that forever changed the competition and opened America's heart, leaving it raw and vulnerable, forcing me to then question the direction of the series in its entirety.

Without giving away any spoilers to this series I will say there are moments this book took my breath away.  It caused me to laugh out loud or left a tear to roll down my cheek. While I appreciated and felt the rawness and realness behind America's heart and the choices that she was left with.

In The Elite, America’s stand is even fierier, keeping in tune with her extreme strength of character that I first feel in love with.  Where her Decisions were finally made but not until the point of no return. Causing my heart to be tugged and pulled throughout the book, not knowing if I could handle the decision that she would finally make, still I was unable to set the book down.

The highlight of this book would be the last 100 pages where my heart pounded through my chest as I raced through hoping for an answer.  Kiera Cass knows how to grab your heart and continue its hold on you by writing a book that engrosses you to the point of no return. I am breathless waiting on edge for the conclusion and an answer to this series.

Find Kiera Cass online: Website  •  Twitter 

Purchase The Elite at:  Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound