Selection (3) - The One by Kiera Cass
The decision - The One! (in German die Erwählte, in French L'Élue) I read it in the original language where it contained 323 pages. Originally published 2014.
Maxon and America must make their decisions. He before all cameras, she inside her heart. Who do they really, truly want? While Elise, Celeste and Kriss each are favourites and know what they want and why, America has to fight her way to the crown – and figure out, which boy she loves most. With the help of the Rebels and Nicoletta she can appease the public but... for what, exactly?
This book really disappointed me. I had hoped that America would at least try to fight for Maxon's love, prove worthy of his love… give him something in return for everything he gave her.
She doesn't even try.
Spoiler:
She's so fixed on being a good queen and winning the Selection that she seems to forget that this isn't just a contest for a job! Not even the contest for a way of life. This is also about love and about a guy she has really, really hurt. If I were Maxon, I wouldn't have married her. He actually didn't plan on it… until the romantic and wonderful solution which had first throw a fit because it's so bad and then throw up because it's so sappy.
She would have told Maxon about Aspen only because her brother threatened her. This sucks. And then, she doesn't even tell him and he finds out after he sleeps with her. Does anyone have anything I could throw at her? Like a wrecking ball? Seriously, how crabby is this?!
It's not really nice of him that he chooses Kriss simply because America did this, to get back at her, but what choice does he have left? After the trick she pulled on him, she simply isn't an alternative. And he must marry. Besides, he could get very happy with Kriss. She'd mend his broken heart and he'd grow to really love her eventually. And she knows about his history with America, so she'd know what to expect.But how everything is resolved? Hey, everybody who could stand in Mer's way dies! And the danger makes Maxon realise that he truly loves her – because he didn't realise it when he slept with her – and they live happily ever after. Ya-hoo!
Aaaaaargh! This is the crabbiest ending EVER! And it so doesn't make sense!
To the things that don't make sense.
Celeste. Her change of heart is too abrupt. It makes sense that she's a better person than she acted, but that she and Mer are suddenly best of friends? This change is just too abrupt.
Spoiler:
And the twist with Mer's father? The rebels knew about the book before Mer, so her father telling them wouldn't have made a difference. They'd already known, since their raids started before the Selection started.
If you gave the book just… let's say hundred pages more, in which Celeste's development is shown, America fights for Maxon, instead of against his father and for the crown, the book would be way better. Write a new ending, one in which she either was honest about Aspen or in which there was more time between Aspen bursting the bubble and the marriage proposal. Or one in which America had to choose between giving her life to save Aspen's or give her life to save Maxon – and that Maxon realises through her decision that she truly loves him. Then there could be a happily ever after. But please, without Aspen leading her to the altar! That's just too weird. What about Kenna's husband? Or Gerald? That'd be cute. And would make way more sense. I, as a groom, would have called the wedding off if my bride would want the guy she betrayed me with lead her to the altar.
But to the rebels. America's idea as to what the people should do brings her allies? She basically tells them to go get themselves killed!
But Gavril and Kriss were a surprise.
In brief:
I give a star for the ideas and one for the politics. Minus one for characters and minus one for the ending. So, no star for The One.
Prequel:
Sequel: