The Selection & The Elite- Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Teen

Published: April 24, 2012

327 Pages

Goodreads page

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.

When going into this book ill be honest and say i didn't really have high hopes for it. Hearing that it was like a version of the bachelor kind of put me off but I actually really loved this book! The plot was really unique and i loved the girliness of the dresses and the dates and everything. I love that its not your typical love story and there is more going on that first appears.
I love America's character she is really a strong person and i feel really invested in her and her relationship with Maxon.
I think the world building was done really well and everything is so well written. I'm interested to learn more about the royals and whats going on with the attacks.
The only reason i didn't give it five stars was because there is the love triangle aspect to it that I'm not so much a fan of. Although it is one of the least annoying love triangles Ive read, i still feel like its just to common among YA and would rather see less of it.

I cant fault anything else its definitely a thumbs up for this one!

****
Four stars

Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: April 23, 2013
323 Pages
Goodreads page

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.

Unfortunately i was pretty disappointed with this book.

It was ok to start off with but i found America incredibly annoying after a short time. It seems like she lost that strength she had in the first book and throughout the whole book she was constantly changing her mind and declaring her love for Maxon and then Aspen. It kind of drove me crazy after a while.

I like the rest of the book, the parts that weren't about the romance. I'm really keen to know more about the northerners and southerners and why they have been doing what they're doing.

Im looking forward to the next book and hopefully America will make a decision and stop bugging me with her indecisiveness but unfortunately i wasn't in love with this one.

***

Three stars