The Elite (The Selection #2) Review

The Elite (The Selection #2)
by Kiera Cass
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance
Format: I received an a copy through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication: 04.23.13
Midnight Minute: America was one of the last girls standing in the competition for Prince Maxon's heart, but fewer girls means shiz is getting real.  And the rebels are closing in.
From Goodreads:

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.

Midnight Thoughts:

~ I felt like the cut from 35 girls to just 6 was awfully severe, especially since this is only the 2nd book in the series- but then the fist culling on The Bachelor always troubled me too.  I may be a tad too sentimental about stupid crap.  But really, true affection takes time to build up, Maxon!
~ I don't watch The Bachelor anymore because it got hella fake, but I was hooked for several seasons (the first one I watched was Charlie O'Connells season.  I was really rooting for him and baby nurse Sarah).  But all of the crap that I began to hate about the tv show (the incredible fakeness of it and pretty much all reality tv anymore) isn't in The Selection series.  I get all the pretty, petty girls in elaborate dresses vying for a hottie's attention.  Plus it's got political intrigue!
~ Is there anyone out there who is Team Aspen?  Because I didn't like at all in the last book, and in The Elite my feelings are more ambivilant. Sometimes he seems cool, but then he's putting America in a extremely dangerous position anytime he talks to her, so that's very uncool.  I kind of want him to just hook up with someone else or imprint on a toddler (just kidding! Because that's gross!).
~ When the Prince asks you to keep something secret, you protect it like Frodo protected the one Ring.  Hell, if Prince William or Prince Harry told me a secret, I'd keep it.  And I'm not even English.  In fact, I'm sure some of my more militant Irish ancestors would be mighty displeased with me, but I'd still keep my mouth shut. 
~ America, meet everyone's favorite toy, the yo-yo.  Ya'll have a lot in common this book.  One minute America is all about Maxon, then Aspen, then Maxon, then Aspen, then Roberto, then Maxon... just joking.  There's no Roberto.  Just making sure you're paying attention!
~ I don't know if I love all the awful names in this series, or I love how awful they are.  Seriously, Officer Woodwork?  And don't get me started on all the jokes I can make out of America's name.  
~ I really liked Elise in this novel, although she steps up her game as a rival for Maxon's affection.  I'm also in total agreement with her over the caning vs. death debate.  I'll take caning any day of the week over death.  Unless it was every day, and then eventually I'm sure the death choice would start looking good. 
~ I really love America's relationship with her dad- he truly loves her and believes in her.  Her mom remains a bit of Mrs. Bennet though.
~ Now that we're into the second book it becomes clear that being the Princess will be a difficult and, at times, unpleasant job.  But that maybe Mer just might be what Illea needs. 
~ Maxon's parents are the polar opposites of Mer's- his mom's is wonderful and his dad is a tool.  Too bad he's King.
~ America drove me nuts this book, and seriously Aspen is kind of stupid for putting up with her.  And she's completely hypocritical too... but I still love the chemistry between her and Maxon, so I'm willing to overlook her yoyo tendencies for now.  Although, her hypocrisy might not make her Princess material, but she's got a good shot at a political career.
~ This series is a giant soap opera, and I love it.
~ The rebels continue to be all mysterious and murderous. I'm a little afraid that I'm going to be disappointed with their storyline, but honestly I'm just here for the competition. 
~ The Palace security continues to be the worst. 
~ Much drama in this book, and the plot moves steadily on.  I really loved the task America and the other girls are given in this book, even more would have been nice though.  
~ I heart this series.  It's not perfect, it's a little shallow, Mer drives me nuts, but I'm hooked. 

Timeless Characters:

America Singer- her name says it all I guess.  She's a talented musician and she's torn between two political parties boys. 
Prince Maxon- my favorite point in the love triangle.  He actually calls America on some of her shiz, which just makes her (and me) love him more. Sigh.
Aspen- He doesn't ski, so I'm not sure what's up with his name, but he's there for America whenever she deigns to call on him.
Anne, Mary and Lucy- America's maids.  Still really like them.  They remind me of the mice in Cinderella.
Officer Woodwork- one of the palace guards.
Queen Amberly- I really just picture her as Julie Andrews.  I love Julie Andrews.
King Clarkson- It's beginning to dawn on me that he's not particularly thrilled to pass the torch of leadership onto his son...
Adele- the Queen's sister.  She doesn't have a huge role, but I liked her so she goes on the list.
Gavril Fadaye- reporter for the Illea Capital.
Mr. Singer- America's dad is perfection.  She also has a cute little sister, I forgot to write her name down, but she's an adorable moppet. 
Marlee- Mer's friendly competition, she's got secrets of her own.
The rest of the Elite:
Kriss- the airhead
Elise- the brain (and now the competition)
Natalie- the four (sorry I didn't write anything else down about her)
Celeste- the mean one
 

Midnight Moment:

There's a few of them, and no surprise, they all contain Maxon!
First, I love that Maxon takes America to a super secret hidden room, and that it contains books and computers. 
The biggest Midnight Moment came when Maxon takes his shirt off for America- but not for the reason ya'll are thinking.  Get your minds out of the gutters!

Stop The Clock:

If you liked the first book, then The Elite is a must read.  Yes it was frustrating, but it's the second book so you know the love triangle is only going to heat up and stakes are just going to get higher.  That's the job of Book 2.  I gave it a five star on Goodreads simple because you can't do half-stars and I devoured this book.  It probably would have been a five, but I wanted to smack/shake America through out most of this book.


Kiera Cass — Website |Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2) gets a Midnight Book Rating of: 

Also, there's a novella coming out on March 5th: 
The Prince: A Selection Novella
By Kiera Cass
From Goodreads:
 

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Don't miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

Finally my love story with the Prince can be told!

Sundays In Bed With... The Elite!

 Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

This morning I'm reading:

The Elite (Selection #2) by Kiera Cass 

Nobody does pretty dress covers like the Selection novels!  I'm hoping to have time to read this completely today, and I dived in last night, but unfortunately it wasn't the kind of night that I could spend staying up late all night long.  I'm hoping this is a good read for us Team Maxon fans!

 What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning? Are you reading the book you thought you'd be reading, or has today found you with a surprise? Link up below!

The Selection (Perfection!) Review

The Selection
by Kiera Cass
Expected Publication: 04.24.12
From Goodreads:

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 the palace and compete for the heart of the 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.

My Thoughts: America, or "Mer", has an over-reaching Mrs. Bennet type of mom, so when it comes time for The Selection- the event where the Prince will pick a bride from among the "commoners", she is quick to push her daughter to enter.  Mer is reluctant, she's happy with her life, and in love with even poorer Aspen.  But when he asks her to enter, and her mom pretty much bribes her, she gives in.  After all, what are the chances she'll even get selected?

Well, since this is a YA novel, chances are excellent.

There's a scene in Pride and Prejudice, after Jane gets engaged to Mr. Bingley, where Mrs. Bennet says,

I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing!

And there's a similar scene in The Selection with America's mom.  She is very caste conscious, and although she loves her daughter, it's clear that she wants more for her than the life they're leading. And of course, Mer's dad is sweet and Mr. Bennet like too.  I loved the similarities, because there's a reason Pride and Prejudice has such a hold on our hearts (and if it doesn't hold a place in your heart I can only assume it's because you don't have one).

Okay, in the past I have blogged about my love for Boy A is YA books.  And I know I'm supposed to root for the poor but hot guy, but just once I'd like to see the hot but rich guy get the girl!  I wasn't particularly happy with America's treatment of Maxon at their first meeting.  Love isn't all about instant attraction, sometimes it's quiet and sneaks up on you.  Sometimes a rich prince needs a spunky commoner.  But like the country of my birth, sometimes America is just a little too much about herself.  By halfway through the book I was asking, Aspen who?  Prince Maxon completely had my heart by the time he made his first bet with Mer.

Confession time- I watched several seasons of the Bachelor.  My friend Ame and I used to work together and she got me to watch. We loved to watch the first show and rate the dresses  We would bet on which girls would make it to the next round and which ones would be sent home. I read The Selection with that same mindset, wondering which girls would go home first.  And just like the tv show, so often the wenchy manipulative girls were able to lay the charm on for the bachelor, or in this case Prince Maxon.  Frustrating?  For sure!  Entertaining?  Hells, yeah!

I'm afraid, unlike America, I would be as giggly and swoony as the other girls.  I realize that spunk and independence make for more admirable traits in YA heroines than nice and boring girls, unless like me they too have interests in serial killers and zombies.  Of course, I would not make it past the first round of The Selection.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  It was full of pretty dresses and romance, in fact take away the dystopian setting and armed rebel attacks, and this book would make an wonderful romance novel.  But I personally like my romance with random attacks from the enemy.  I can't wait for the next book, to uncover Marlee's secret (although I'm pretty positive I know what she's hiding), to see if Aspen will just go away, to find out exactly what the rebels are attacking for, and to see if America will see what I already see in Maxon!

The Selection gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The cover gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

Love it, the dress, the way you can't see her face, the different angles, the red hair... it's perfect!

 Disclaimer: I received a copy of this arc through Around the World Arc Tours in exchange for my honest opinion.