Selection (2) - The Elite by Kiera Cass
And now to the second part of The Selection Series: The Elite. (in German Die Elite, in French L'Élite) I read it in English, where it contains 323 pages. Originally published 2013.
America's now part of the Elite – because she's finally found a reason to stay in the palace. But her life proves more and more difficult. Torn between two boys is bad enough, but coping with the possibility of being queen… America doesn't know what she wants – or is capable of. While she has to keep her feelings for the guard in front of her door a secret, Maxon has to search for an alternative. And all the while, palace politics go on. The rebels are threatening the palace, royal visitors are about to arrive… and an execution and dangerous secrets top it off.
Warning: You can not read this book without getting on an emotional roller coaster. You probably can't not read the book in one sitting. This is tense as hell. And really, really emotional. You think about morality, ideals and politics a lot – which is always a plus for me. But I still didn't like it and your about to know why.
I love America. And I totally get her struggles. She loves Maxon but can't accept the life she'll have for him – not now anyway. And she loves Aspen, but can't really forgive him or accept being second to his pride. She has grown in the palace – away from him. So, I totally get how torn she is and I get her reluctance to embrace a life in spotlight and politics.
Spoiler:
But her way of coping SUCKS! Seriously! Maxon risks everything for her! He trusts her with the most important secrets in the palace, and she goes out and spills the beans! How can she do something like this to him? Even if she didn't know that Maxon would pay for this, which is actually obvious, this is a secret! And, more importantly, not her secret to share! How could she hurt him like this?! She broke his heart! After everything he did for her, this is how she repays him. Sure, she wants to help the people. But in all her strive of being a good queen, she forgets to be a good person. And this is so not okay.
Additionally, she can't accept that he has to look at other girls – at least to keep up appearances until she's sure. But that doesn't make her question her decision, instead, she gets closer and closer to Aspen. She more or less betrays Maxon with him – in secret – but hates him for having something with another girl in public, when she knows about it? Hypocrite much?!
Besides, as much as I hate Aspen (he really sucks), he hasn't deserved how she plays with his feelings. This whole back-off-no-you're-mine-back-off-again is so… well, it's not fair.
So, as you can see, I hate America in this book. She does exactly what she accuses the other girls of: She plays a double game and forgets the man under the crown. Only that she first doesn't want the crown, and tries to live up to it. This behaviour doesn't fit to her. She's so altruistic in the first book. She does everything for her family and the guy she's fallen for. But now, that she doesn't only love but actually owes someone, she does this to him. This is… this doesn't make sense. It doesn't fit to the America we know.
But other stuff was actually well done. I like Kriss. She actually sees Maxon. I'm sorry that she has to suffer so much. She isn't torn, she has invested her whole heart in this, she loves him unconditionally. But he only really sees Mer. That's not fair to her, and it's not his fault. Kriss is a good politician as well. She'd be a better match for him than America.
But for whom I really am sorry is Marlee. I guessed what was up with her. But the scene was really intense. I'm so sorry for her – she actually found love and now… Well. I like how Maxon takes care of the two. And I hate how America refuses to even let him explain. That girl is so childish!
I like the scene when the family comes to visit. How he and May get along. They should marry! That'd be great! Nah, just kidding. The best person for Maxon is the America from the first part and the second best Kriss.
The politics themselves are interesting. I like the visitors from Italy, their lovable. Additionally, the rebels seem to be very interesting. The books and the curtsy…
Apart from that, I love Sylvia. That poor woman is really under-appreciated. It's nice what Kriss and America do for her, she deserved it and it fits to their personalities.
In brief:
I'll give this book one star for the style, one star for the content and, last but not least, one for the ideas; minus one for characters. Because Mer, the main character from The Selection, doesn't fit this America. And I don't like her.
Prequel:
Extra:
Sequel: