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The Elite (The Selection #2)

by Kiera Cass (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · Rating Details · 245,936 Ratings · 20,402 Reviews

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.
Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elit ...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published April 23rd 2013 by HarperTeen

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Community Reviews

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Aug 26, 2015 Julie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-books

So, you see my rating, and you're probably like, ONE STAR? And my answer is yes, one star. I spent a good hour thinking about a reason, any reason to rate it two, but I can't. This was just one books of those books that was not my cup of tea. Which, by the way, is extremely disappointing, considering that I really did like the first book. *sigh*

I don't like to bash books and insult the author, but I will say why I did give it such a low rating, in a hopefully non-rude way.

*My Opinion. Just a ...more

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Aug 03, 2016 Mitch rated it did not like it

Shelves: 0-star-cesspool, no-just-no

For what it's worth, I actually liked The Selection. Sure, it suffered from a major bout of shoddy world building and desperately needed a plot beyond just the game show slash dating elements, but if I had to blurb it, I'd go with something like this: "Frivolous and silly, The Selection is nonetheless an enjoyable timekiller with its Bachelor-like elements and inability to take itself too seriously."

The Elite on the other hand... ugh how do I even begin to describe this mess? Let's see...

America ...more

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May 17, 2016 Monica :) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Deleted previous posted review.

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May 09, 2013 Stacia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

7-1-2012: 3:48 PM. Yay! It has a name! I'm so excited for this book!

8-7-2012: 4:19 PM. Why does this have likes?! Haha. I can't wait for the cover! I heard Cass has seen it!

Of course, I'd prefer to have a male on the cover. Not JUST a male, maybe a well-dressed Maxon (with his face concealed [I hate when publishers put non-concealed faces... It makes me feel like I have to picture the characters like on the covers]) with America in his arms.

Or maybe the Elite girls in pretty dresses. ...more

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May 06, 2013 Jessie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-publication, won-t-order, triangle-of-love, annoying-main-character, 2013, angsty-main-character, reviewed, disappointment, series-went-downhill, finished-series

Warning: Mild Spoilers Ahead. Do not read if you don't want to be spoiled. Please read at your own risk.

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

This is not a dystopian, This is a book centered on a love triangle.

Believe it or not, I did like The Selection, but this book, unfortunately, did not live up to its predecessor. The reason why I enjoyed The Selection so much was because of the similarities to the TV show The Bachelor(which I watch, occasionally). I personally think adapting the competition into a book ...more

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Oct 09, 2014 Victoria rated it did not like it

Shelves: breathtakingly-stupid, vile-heroine

All right, boys and girls, I’m back for round two. A year late, but I’ll try to get to The One right after this.

In my review of The Selection, I already covered the larger issues this series has. I’m just going to go through this book roughly chronologically and list all the places I eyerolled so hard I saw my brain. Sometimes, I grew extra eyes just so I could side-eye this book some more.

(ETA: This list will continue to grow as I complete my reread)

1. REBELS. Seriously, palace people. GET SOM ...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Christine Riccio rated it really liked it

I raced through this book because I love the concept and where the story seems to be heading, but OH MY GOODNESS America was so frustrating. I discuss the whole thing in depth in my booktalk here: http://youtu.be/m7UHt8a4G9g

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Jul 23, 2013 Sophie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: what-the-actual-fuck, how-can-they-publish-this-crap, lacking-something-crucial, train-wreck-plot, is-it-over-yet, useless-heroine, oh-no-the-world-is-ending, mega-eyeroll, best-friend-love, give-the-melodrama-a-break, authors-be-crazy, cry-about-it, i-get-it-already, choking-on-cheese, i-eat-cliches-for-breakfast

This is what the first book did:

I don't know how Cass is going to stretch this into a trilogy. I honestly don't. Unless this has another beautiful cover I can't resist, I'm going to avoid this book like the plague.

Update 7/23
So... I finished this book. It was just as awful as the first, if not worse. It's worse in that it tries to develop a love triangle and makes a bad name for women everywhere. America decides to love whichever guy is in the room and then forget him the moment he leaves it. The book attempts to explain what happened and to contribute to the whole dystopian aspect, but the explanation is extremely weak, given through the ever-cliche diary from a really old dead guy who happens to be very important. I can't say that men are given a very good image either, though. Maxon talks about how much he loves America while consorting with other women and trying to make himself "feel good," which is literally how he justifies it. And of course, we see how he has a troubled past brought on by a violent upbringing.

I didn't find any part of this book enjoyable, but I want to finish this series and find out what the hell actually happens. None of the characters have struck me as anything but fickle and one-dimensional, with the exception of Aspen. He remains constant, though in a very shallow manner. It's not about how the author has been horrible, anymore. This book is bad. Exceptionally bad. If I haven't ever questioned how the publishing industry works, I am certainly questioning it now. The writing style is stilted and sounds as if it's catering to elementary schoolers. The plot is not developed in the least, and the characters have all been built to fit some sort of mold, but they can't even seem to accomplish that. All in all, this series lacks class and cohesiveness, attempting to throw out twists that absolutely contribute nothing. Originally I started reading this to get over the pain that Siege and Storm had instilled in me, but now it's just created this little pit of disgust in my stomach. Bleeech. ...more

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Aug 19, 2016 Kat O'Keeffe rated it liked it

America is such a frustrating protagonist, but these books are so fast and addictive I CAN'T PUT THEM DOWN. Onto The One...

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Jul 13, 2013 MJ rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: No One

Recommended to MJ by: A Misogynist

Shelves: research-wikipedia, prissy-preaching, squeaky-clean-not, ballgowns, insta-luv, useless-characters, slut-slaming, annoying-heroines, meh-characters, torture-me, dumb-ass-heroines, anti-feminist, crappy-book-anyway, cliches, love-triangle, dystopia, princess, man-cessory, barely-finished, gary-stu

Note: I kept the advisory review because the trolls loved it and I think anyone who is thinking of reading this book SHOULD read the warning first.

To see full review click here.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own the Disney princesses. If I did I would be at Disney World right now living the dream instead of writing this during one of my very limited study breaks.

And now a word from the Disney Princesses...

We here at the Magic Kingdom full of princess want to make something clear to you, America ...more

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Nov 09, 2013 Roxanne (Story Envy) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: covers-of-awesomely-awesomeness, time-dystopian-future, favorite-endings, library-reads, read-in-2013, wanted-to-like-more

OMFG IT FINALLY HAS A COVER!!!!

First off I must say that that is a stunning dress! Hmm which dress would you say is better?

Oh gosh, I can't choose! There both so pretty! Although I do like the red colour more.

Now on to the real thing I want to talk about. I'm so freaking excited for this book! I really loved the first one, in fact I loved it so much that I read it while I was at an amusement park. In fact I was so sucked in that I started reading it in the line-ups and I kept wanting to read it ...more

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Jun 13, 2015 Maureen rated it liked it

Why is this series so addictive. WHY?? America is so much more obnoxious, indecisive, and all around THE WORST in this book which makes it a 3 star, but the rest was pretty great.
I pretty much LOATHE the show The Bachelor, and this book felt a lot more like that than the first book, so that was not super great. If you like that kind of thing, THERES A LOT OF JEALOUSY TO GO AROUND SO HAVE FUN!
However, the overall story and worldbuilding is still pretty great, and I'm sure there will be something ...more

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Jul 29, 2016 Pang rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: wish-he-was-real, royalty-fairy-tale, outwit-revenge-playing-game, oh-ho-high-society, sweet-beta-hero, enigmatic-complicated-hero, wanna-tear-my-hair-out, couple-i-love-bc-of-hero, self-sacrificing-guy-i-die-for, f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e-storyline, i-wish-this-happen-real-to-me, friends-to-lovers, my-book-best-friend, dreamy-ball-or-masquerade

Reading this book felt like Gossip Girl on royal caste. lol!

The Elite has many things, drama, dark secrets, intense competition, betrayal, treason, and annoying girls issue..

Firstly, I started reading this book with fun. The Halloween party! and Maxon is so sweet as usual! *dream up* description

Later on... everything started to roll down the hill. description

Every. Main. Characters. change from the first one.

It’s so hard to decide who the boy I want America to end up with. I’m team Maxon since the first one but in t ...more

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May 11, 2014 manda rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, coulda-been-worse, romance, only-if-its-free-baby

24 Apr. '13
Bad news: I didn't like it
Good news: I finished it in one day to relieve me of my boredom at work
Better news: I liked it more than The Selection. Or maybe that's simply because I knew what to expect, so my hopes weren't high to begin with?

Still want that tiara.

I've ~~full on ranted~~ discussed about characterization in my review of the first book, and since the special cookie that is America still suffers from the same problems, I won't be going into characterization in this review. If ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Ivana rated it it was ok · review of another edition

TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
TEAM MAXON!
DOWN WITH ASPEN!
DOWN WITH ASPEN!
DOWN WITH ASPEN!
DOWN WITH ASPEN!
GRRR! 2013?!
*turns off caps lock*
omg, can't wait!
EDIT:
Wow, America. Did you seriously... woooow.
I waited almost a full year for this book and you just went ahead and acted like Bella. Stringing around these two boys when it's achingly obvious who you're going to pick. I feel like every book is a Twilight despite ...more

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Jan 11, 2015 Josu rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015-enero

Vale. Bien. No estaba preparado. Mira que al principio (en plan, como las cien primeras páginas) no estaba muy seguro de que The Elite me fuera a gustar tanto como The Selection. Tenía bastante claro que lo estaba leyendo a buen ritmo, pero que en realidad nada me estaba sorprendiendo y que lo leía porque no sé, la Cass es muy diva. Pero, sinceramente, no me esperaba lo que ocurre después.

Esta reseña contendrá spoilers, así que lo siento si querías saber qué me ha parecido sin leer ninguno. Te Vale. Bien. No estaba preparado. Mira que al principio (en plan, como las cien primeras páginas) no estaba muy seguro de que The Elite me fuera a gustar tanto como The Selection. Tenía bastante claro que lo estaba leyendo a buen ritmo, pero que en realidad nada me estaba sorprendiendo y que lo leía porque no sé, la Cass es muy diva. Pero, sinceramente, no me esperaba lo que ocurre después.

Esta reseña contendrá spoilers, así que lo siento si querías saber qué me ha parecido sin leer ninguno. Te digo que en resumen podría decir que The Elite es inesperada. Y ahora, entro en spoilers.

Varias situaciones, como lo que ocurre con Marlee y el guardia o el encontronazo que tiene America de Maxon y Celeste me tuvieron tal que así:

No me esperaba para nada que las situaciones se fuesen a tornar así de serias. Para nada. De verdad que lo de Marlee me pilló totalmente por sorpresa. Me olía que algo iba a pasar, porque no creo que la autora se dejase páginas y páginas para ver lo maravillosa que era esta chica y lo buena amiga de America que era para nada. Y en efecto, cuando se descubre todo el tinglado que tenía Marlee (que ole ella por liarse con el guardia, eh, que si pasa del culo de Maxon me parece muy normal) me quedé de piedra. O sea. Encima con el guardia, del que conocemos cómo son las cosas por Aspen. Y buah, el momentazo de America levantándose gritando intentando que todo acabe para ella mientras la azotan. DIOS MÍO. Juro que estaba nervioso perdido. Y que encima luego veamos que Maxon ha ayudado a Marlee por America. AY, MI CORAZÓN.

Otra de las cosas que más me ha sorprendido ha sido sin duda el encontronazo calenturiento de Maxon. Porque no me esperaba PARA NADA que Maxon tuviera el mínimo interés en Celeste, y menos del tipo sexual, cuando se le ve tan... no sé, yo no le veía en plan así. No sé si me entendéis. Y claro, yo estaba superindignado con él porque ESO NO SE LE HACE A MI AMERICA. Pero sin embargo, después, cuando está dando sus explicaciones, quería matarlo. Sí, sí. O sea, cuando están encerrados en la habitación secreta con el ataque de los rebeldes y Maxon está diciendo que si America no quería nada con él porque estaba distante, que él se iba a arrimar a otras que le dieran también lo que necesitaba. Y yo en plan: ¿HOLA AL MACHISMO? A punto estuve de cerrar el libro cuando encima veo que America lo acepta. LO ACEPTA. Vale. Yo a todo esto estaba superindignado pero al momento siguiente, America recapacita y se da cuenta de que ella ha hecho exactamente lo mismo con Aspen. Y fue tan zas en toda la boca que me eché a reír. En efecto, Kiera Cass, eres una diva. No me había dado cuenta del detalle. Se nota que la autora juega con eso de 'qué malo es el hombre que se lía con otras' pero realmente no ves mal que America lo haga hasta ese momento. O sea, de verdad, no lo había pensado y yo ya culpaba a Maxon.

En general, The Elite ha sido una novela que va ganando fuerza y que nos deja las puertas a The One superintensamente abiertas. MADRE MÍA. Las últimas páginas con el rey amenazando a America y destrozándola. Joder, eres un puto cabrón. Y me gustan mucho las criadas y que vayan a organizar una estrategia. Sinceramente, lo que abre esta segunda novela para la tercera es mejor que lo que dejó abierto el primero. Eso me gusta; ver esa progresión en una misma trilogía. Sin duda, The Elite está a la altura de The Selection al no parar de sorprender con tantos giros en la trama (que hay más de los que he comentado, pero esos sin duda, son los que se llevan la palma). ...more

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May 31, 2015 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: r2r-complete, favourite-books, read-2013, favourite-2013

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley.)
This is book 2 in the ‘The Selection’ series, and picks up where book 1 left off.
The 35 girls of ‘The Selection’ have been reduced to just 6, and it’s time for America to not only work to keep her place in the game, but to also make a decision as to who she really wants to be with – Prince Maxon, or her childhood sweetheart Aspen
The competition is also heating up, (Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley.)
This is book 2 in the ‘The Selection’ series, and picks up where book 1 left off.
The 35 girls of ‘The Selection’ have been reduced to just 6, and it’s time for America to not only work to keep her place in the game, but to also make a decision as to who she really wants to be with – Prince Maxon, or her childhood sweetheart Aspen
The competition is also heating up, with some unexpected events, and more rebel action.
What do the rebels want? Who will be sent home next? And who will America choose?

Beautiful and captivating, this book had me from the very first page!

I loved ‘The Selection’, and I was so excited to finally have a copy of ‘The Elite’ to read, and I really was not disappointed. America continued to be not only the underdog of the competition, but also the one who truly seemed to have captivated the prince’s heart. Her heart seemed to be in the right place in that she was always doing what seemed right to her, even if the things she did endeared her more to the lower castes than the king.

The romance in this book was quite sweet, but I really wanted America to just make a decision and stick with it! It seemed obvious how America and Maxon felt about each other, so the fact that he was off flirting with the other 5 girls in the selection, and she was still making out with Aspen was a bit annoying! I really wanted Maxon to just propose, and send the other girls home instead of them constantly seeming to play games with each others feelings. America also wore something which linked her to Aspen which for me was a really stupid thing to do, and the way she kept asking for more time was irritating too!
I have to say that if America and Maxon don’t end up together by the end of this series I will be really annoyed!

I liked the storyline in this book, and although America was a little immature and indecisive at times I couldn’t help but love this story. I don’t know what it is about these books but I really love the way they are written, and I actually think that ‘The Elite’ was better than ‘The Selection’!

Overall; I really loved this book, and although America had her faults, I hated to put this down! Can’t wait for book 3!!! I want it now!!!
9 out of 10.
...more

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Nov 28, 2014 Stephanie (Bookfever.♥) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-publication, review-copy

This is going to be a tough review for me, be warned.
Last summer I read The Selection and I loved it. I thought the whole idea of a story like this was really original. I loved that it was like The Bachelor put into a dystopian book. I saw a lot of positive reviews about it so I figured it would be positive for me too. So I had to read The Elite also of course and I must say (obviously) I'm rather disappointed by it. Actually a whole lot disappointed.

I really wanted to like this book, more so t This is going to be a tough review for me, be warned.
Last summer I read The Selection and I loved it. I thought the whole idea of a story like this was really original. I loved that it was like The Bachelor put into a dystopian book. I saw a lot of positive reviews about it so I figured it would be positive for me too. So I had to read The Elite also of course and I must say (obviously) I'm rather disappointed by it. Actually a whole lot disappointed.

I really wanted to like this book, more so than some others because The Selection was so good for me. Maybe I had to high hopes but I wanted to enjoy this. The fact that I didn't was a big disappointment because I just wanted this book to be done and over. And that's just never good with any book.

I was so frustrated with pretty much everything and every character in The Elite. First of all, America. What was up with her? She kept running back and forth between Maxon and Aspen. It was literally one page she was loving on Maxon and the next she was crawling back to Aspen. Girl, no, just no. The whole book was like this. All about that stupid love triangle. I can like love triangles if they are done well but in this book it has got to be one of the most terrible I've ever read about. And what was up with her decision making? I could hardly follow her train of thought. Doesn't she think at all? At least the one thing that I didn't totally hate was how America was able to read Gregory Illea's diary. What a jackass he was. That's the only thing I want to know more about. Is the diary what the rebels are after or is it something else?
I used to love Maxon to bits and pieces but this book ruined him for me. I didn't like him one bit. I guess that The Selection is some sort of game and Maxon has to be sure that he makes the right decision but please, I can't stand the whole thing. Dating all these girls, messing around with him. Ugh! No wonder America got so jealous. And really, Maxon, Celeste? REALLY? The only thing that's not totally awful is that I can sort of understand him a bit, with everything his father (who is a totally pyscho by the way) puts him through he wants distractions but there are other ways. I did feel sorry for what America witnessed at some point...
Aspen still is some sort of vague character for me. He wasn't that much in the book but also not totally absent. He did some pretty nice things for America but after what happened to Marlee I can't understand why both him and America would take such huge risks. They are asking to get caught! And no, it doesn't mean that when I'm no longer team Maxon that I'm suddenly team Aspen. I can't pick any teams in this book because they both suck. I'm team America, get the hell out of there and work on yourself, please.
The remaining girls in The Selection are definitely on my black list. Especially Kriss. I can't stand her. I get that America messed up and that suddenly Kriss and Maxon got close but it was all so awful to read about. And Celeste, I need her to leave already.
There were some rebel attacks again. Wonder what that's about. It's awful but I'd rather read about them attacking the palace and have some action at least than America going back and forth with her two guys. Seriously. But even with the few attacks, we don't know anything.
So yeah, frustration everywhere for every character.

I was also quite disappointed with the author's writing. And I'm not saying this to bash her or anything. I don't even like giving a book this low a rating because I barely do that. But I couldn't get over it. I didn't like the writing at all. It felt rushed and I can't remember I hated it this much with The Selection. What happened I wondered. I missed action. A lot of them. You'd think because there are rebels, they should've been more of that than there was. Sadly enough it wasn't so. And I really disliked the ending. Literally nothing happened throughout this book. Nothing. I am so disappointed! At least the cover is beautiful and it was a fast read.

Overall, The Elite by Kiera Cass was a huge disappointment. Everything from the frustrating characters to the lame plot to the weak writing, it all felt rushed. I wished I had liked it a lot more, but sadly enough I didn't. But I decided I will read the third book once it comes out because I want to know the ending. I hope it won't disappoint me again. ...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Ade rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: banished-to-the-depths-of-hell, because-i-am-a-shallow-cover-whore, why-wont-you-let-me-love-you

-_- I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH. THERE IS NO WORD IN EXISTENCE THAT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE MY HATE FOR YOU. I'll make a simple list letting you know all the things you need to know about this book:

1) America is a conceited skag
2) America has no idea what love actually is
3) America is rash and does stupid shit before she understands what's actually going on
4) Maxon is a douche
5) Maxon doesn't know what love is
6) Aspen is also a douche
7) Aspen doesn't know what love is
8) Aspen is ...more

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Aug 19, 2013 Theresa ♫ rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: .....this book was a cliche wonderland.

Shelves: young-adult, the-fo-shizzle-shelf, the-blurry-romance-shelf, the-love-triangle-shelf, the-general-romance-shelf, ranted

AUGUST 16, 2013: THIS IS GONNA BE ONE RANTING REVIEW COMING RIGHT UP.
(My before-read review of this book is BELOW my after-read review, so scroll down to look there, if you'd like. ^-^)

AUGUST 19, 2013: SPOILERS. This book is full of freaking spoilers. SPOILERS EVERYWHERE. SPOILER. SPOILER. SPOILER HERE AND THERE AND EVERYWHERE. IN THE AIR. I DON'T CARE. I HAVE HAIR. I LIKE BEARS--I dunno, that could be a new song. :D

....But seriously, this review is full of spoilers.

I.
HATED.
THIS.
PIECE.
OF.
(*salg ...more

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Sep 04, 2015 Juliana Zapata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

Seguimos metidos en el cuento de hadas pero ahora con más ataques rebeldes, mas violencia y mas peligro.
América está de aquí para allá, elijo a uno, elijo al otro, quiero a uno, quiero al otro, los quiero a los dos. Eso sí que fue desesperante, cada cinco minutos cambiaba de opinión y eso me ponía muy nerviosa y me exasperaba un poco.
Por otro lado empezamos a conocer los secretos más sucios de Illéa, de la monarquía y des mismo rey, todo esto en medio de la selección y la eliminación de otras do ...more

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Nov 29, 2014 Tabatha rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone who read The Selection

Shelves: favorites, 5-star-books, i-want-this-now, need-physical-copies, ebooks, audiobooks, the-2013-challenge-120-books, young-adult, romance

You can check out more reviews by me on my blog:

A highly frustrating and yet wonderfully breathtaking read.

OFFICIAL REVIEW:
(Short but ~~sweet~~ probably utterly mindboggling.)

Our story began in The Selection when 35 girls moved to the palace hoping to someday marry Prince Maxon; however, by the beginning of The Elite, only 6 girls remain.

For our dear America, this means only five girls left to compete with.

Natalie, Elise, Celeste, Kriss and Marlee.

Only 5 other girls, and Maxon has already expressed ...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Katy rated it it was ok

Despite the controversy over the author/publicist, I kinda liked the first book... This one, however, just pissed me off.

1. What happened to America? I miss the strong, determined, self-confident girl she used to be. She cries - a lot! I understand insecurities can make you second-guess yourself, but damnit, she was so freaking wishy-washy. I want Maxon. No, I want Aspen. I want to leave. No, I need to stay. I won't make a good queen. Actually, I could make a different. Oh wait, I just did somet Despite the controversy over the author/publicist, I kinda liked the first book... This one, however, just pissed me off.

1. What happened to America? I miss the strong, determined, self-confident girl she used to be. She cries - a lot! I understand insecurities can make you second-guess yourself, but damnit, she was so freaking wishy-washy. I want Maxon. No, I want Aspen. I want to leave. No, I need to stay. I won't make a good queen. Actually, I could make a different. Oh wait, I just did something stupid. Speaking of stupid, America's irrationality was a bit too much. I know her heart, though she won't admit it, is now at stake, but she pulled herself together after Aspen. Sometimes strong emotions can get the best of us, but I had expected so much more from her. One or two things, fine. But she made me so mad throughout the entire book.

2. What happened to the plot? The first book was more about the competition and the gradual elimination process. In this book, the first elimination was a given that you could guessed way ahead of time from book 1. The only other one was just more a default kind thrown in there - you're staying so let's get rid of her instead. I wasn't drawn to the individual missions or tasks they had to do because contestants weren't eliminated as a result of how well they did.

3. I found it interesting that this book takes place in the future (after the fourth world war, right?), and Cass throws out concepts that are well-established in our society to give the girls individuality - like equal rights, or a drafted military, or even better yet, women in the military. I understand that a lot has changed, and some of that means going backwards in politics, but I just found the attempts annoying, especially since they were just tossed in there, glimpsed over and then left to flounder. Come on! Throw in some originality or just leave those comments out. By the way, did you know there's a sort-of revolution going on? North rebels? South rebels? Huh? Oh, I was too focused on being pissed off at America.

The only reason I did not give this book 1 star is because I actually liked the end. (view spoiler)

I'll read book 3 because it's the last book, but I really hope this was just a "middle book" or I will be so disappointed with this series. ...more

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Jun 30, 2016 Ecmel Soylu rated it did not like it

America hayatımda okuduğum en sinir bozucu karakterlerden biri. Bir bölümde Aspen benim her şeyim diyor, diğer bölümde Maxon'ı görüp seninle olmak istiyorum triplerine giriyor, iki sayfa sonra Aspen'in yeşil gözlerine vurulup tekrar kararını değiştiriyor ve bu durum kitap boyunca şaşmadan devam ediyor.
Bu kadar rahatsızlık verici bir aşk üçgeni okumamıştım ya.

DİSTOPYA? :D:DDd HANGİ DİSTOPYA? :dD Aşk romanı bu.. Asilerin üzerinden o kadar ama o kadar kabaca geçilmiş ki. Kuzeyliler böyle asiler, gü ...more

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Sep 28, 2014 Jaime Arkin rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, series, ebook-format, 2013, read-in-2013, on-my-real-shelves

Ok... I've taken a few days to think and I discussed with the lovely Kassiah and have come to the conclusion that I'm torn on what to rate this book.

The problem I'm having here is that for whatever reason I can't look away. I hated the characters, and I hated the very slim and almost non-existent plot of this book... yet I read it in a day and I didn't want to put it down.

What the heck is a girl supposed to do with that?

photo anigif_enhanced-buzz-2629-1360290253-6_zps16446776.gif

So in The Elite, we are still hanging out with Prince Maxon - America ha ...more

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Aug 25, 2013 Melanie rated it did not like it

Shelves: dystopian-utopian, take-your-instant-love-and-get-lost, love-triangle, young-adult, f-a-i-l, romance, post-apoc, omg-the-cover-people, could-have-been-so-much-better

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

I can see why The Elite can be enjoyable. For people into angsty, romancey dominant dystopians. Heck, I don't even get why people believe that this is a dystopian at times. The development of Kiera Cass' world is so minimal it may as well not be there at all. Then dystopian lovers won't get mislead into some fail of a gag-worthy love story. Even things that seemed a little likable turned out to be fails as the romance is like a disease, it spreads everywhere ...more

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May 30, 2016 Amanda Minnock rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-series

I'm not going to lie I loved this book!! It was amazing, I couldn't put it down which I regretted at work the next morning because I was still up at 3am giggling and swooning over Maxon.

America Singer is a seventeen year old from Illea who entered The Selection to try and win the heart of our beloved Prince Maxon. When America entered she never imaged to be there longer than a week never mind make it to The Elite - one of the final six girls left in the competition. Yet America is at war with h I'm not going to lie I loved this book!! It was amazing, I couldn't put it down which I regretted at work the next morning because I was still up at 3am giggling and swooning over Maxon.

America Singer is a seventeen year old from Illea who entered The Selection to try and win the heart of our beloved Prince Maxon. When America entered she never imaged to be there longer than a week never mind make it to The Elite - one of the final six girls left in the competition. Yet America is at war with herself debating if she wants the life of a princess along with all the responsibilities or to go back to living in the castes with her family. Does she love Maxon or does Aspen still have her heart? I know who has my heart *wink wink*.

I read The Selection and within minutes, I was deep in The Elite drinking it in with my eyes until I was word drunk and I mean the kind of drunk where you are completely in love and are ready to devote your life to a fictional character... then get sectioned. The story had me gripped from the beginning and I felt every little bump and heartache along the way. I couldn't make my mind up, was I team Maxon or team Aspen?! Oh for the love of god SOMEONE STOP ME FROM TAKING A HEART ATTACK!

America is like a fish out of water, she can't make her mind up about anything yet I still felt every emotion with her. After I had read so many bad opinions about her I thought I was going to hate her but I started to root for her and wanted her to get the guy which is unusual for me. The only part I didn't like was how flighty she was, I'm sure she's a tad bipolar because the girl can be pretty cray cray.

Maxon once again won me over and over, yeah at points I was completely gobsmacked with his action (Celest? Oh my god! and Kirss GAH I HATE HER) but he has never had the chance to be with a girl before and I could understand his reason behind everything. With the whole Halloween that he did for America... yeah amazing! He is so thoughtful and I know I say this all the time but he is definitely my new favourite book boyfriend and if I could marry him I would... can I?

I never like to go into too much detail about a plot or what happens between characters because I believe it ruins the book for people, all I want to do is let you know my thoughts on it and who is my favourite as I believe books are there to be read, not to be spoiled by others. Pick it up I dare you... you will most likely read it in one sitting!

Check out my blog please www.amandaminnockx.tumblr.com

“I was afraid I was wrong, that you would change your mind any second. I’ve been looking for a suitable alternative, but the truth is …”—Maxon looked me in the eyes again, unwavering—“there’s only you. Maybe I’m not really looking, maybe they aren’t right for me. It doesn’t matter. I just know I want you. And that terrifies me. I’ve been waiting for you to take back the words, to beg to leave.”
...more

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Mar 10, 2014 Zoë rated it really liked it

I flew through this book in less than 24 hours, taking me out of my pitiful reading slump!
Even though I enjoyed reading this book, it was frustrating at times. I found myself annoyed at how America was acting and how her relationships with Maxon and Aspen played out. I felt like we were stuck in a cycle of America's erratic behavior and overcritical thoughts towards Maxon. Also, I am seriously wondering why Aspen is still there because I don't see any passion between them like I do with Maxon. I ...more

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May 10, 2013 Brittana rated it it was ok

Let me start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed "The Selection"--"The Elite" was on my 'midnight release' reading list. "The Selection" had fun characters, an interestingly laid out dystopian caste system and a burgeoning rebellion as a strong background to the very heavy love triangle.

In "The Elite" I was looking forward to seeing more of the rebellion, seeing the characters develop and make strong decisions and stick with them--deal with the consequences of those decisions. I expected mo Let me start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed "The Selection"--"The Elite" was on my 'midnight release' reading list. "The Selection" had fun characters, an interestingly laid out dystopian caste system and a burgeoning rebellion as a strong background to the very heavy love triangle.

In "The Elite" I was looking forward to seeing more of the rebellion, seeing the characters develop and make strong decisions and stick with them--deal with the consequences of those decisions. I expected more of the background story to develop with the maturity of the characters. What we got was a simpering America who ended almost every plot movement with "I just don't know who I should pick", which was so narrow-minded and contrary to the 'girl-power' and social awareness she demonstrated in the first book.

I was very disappointed in that "The Elite" seemed to cater to its very young readers focusing on a 'he loves me, he loves me not' love story that was quite artificial. The plot was reduced wholly to America's misunderstandings of other's intentions, childish, selfish, and naive misunderstandings to which only those of a very young readers group could possibly relate, and her very foolish reactions to those misunderstandings. I couldn't believe the number of rhetorical questions America asks, without any answers offered.

From chapter four and continued throughout the whole novel...

It was impossible. I had to choose. Aspen or Maxon.
But how was I supposed to decide between two good possibilities? How could I make a choice that would leave some part of me devastated either way? I comforted myself with the thought that I still had time. I still had time.

Cynic warning--the only reason she has or even needs time is to sell more books.

While in "The Selection" the story was interesting enough to keep me captivated and to see past the cliched and generally non-dimensional plot construction, "The Elite", if it was possible, becomes even more cliched and even less original.

In short, it seems that it was fully a money-making filler to extend a simple series. I have no doubt that anyone could skip this book in its entirety and pick up the third without missing a step. Of course, I'm stubborn and have been sucked into the trashy love-triangle, so I will read the third (hence why I said this book was "OK" rather than I hated it), but I was still scratching my head wondering if there were any other redeeming qualities to reading it besides my innate curiosity of how the story finishes. There aren't. ...more

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Dion Totally agree. To be honest, my review couldn't say anything about the plot because there WAS NONE. I pretty much summarised the whole book in one par ...more
Apr 24, 2013 10:36PM

Brittana Chlo wrote: "Totally agree. To be honest, my review couldn't say anything about the plot because there WAS NONE. I pretty much summarised the whole bo ...more
Apr 24, 2013 10:53PM

Emily Gustin I know! I thought she would haved made up her mind by now, but the whole freaking book was her just trying to decide who was better for her. I wasn't ...more
Jul 28, 2013 07:26PM

Jun 11, 2013 Lindsay Cummings rated it it was amazing

read in one sitting. TEAM MAXON BABY!!

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About Kiera Cass

100 Things I Love:

Being married. Cake. The smell of Autumn. Motherhood. Books. Elephants. Back rubs. On demand movies. Actually going out to movies. Faith. Cinnamon rolls. My family. Butterflies. When my kitchen is clean. Crayons. Pink. Tote bags. Dancing. Organizing via color coordination. That my wedding dress was tea length, not floor. Baking. My house. Writing utensils. Paper. India. The sound ...more

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