Friday, August 14, 2015

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: Book Two in the Selection Series
Published By: HarperTeen (April 3, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
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 Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.









I remember really liking The Selection when I read it over three years ago but for whatever reason put off reading the rest of the books. So honestly, I was expecting to be able to jump right back into The Elite and loving every minute of it.

Before I get into that though, I want to say that this series has always been a fluff read for me. You know, one of those books that you pick up knowing you are simply reading it to have fun. That it will be cliched and cheesy at times and more than once will make you roll your eyes but more than anything else, it will make you smile too. 

I remember liking America, even when other readers out there were put off by her attitude and of course, the nasty little love triangle that so many of us have come to loathe as they gained popularity over the years.

And while I did read this over three years ago, for whatever reason, I thought the love triangle would be okay, that I wouldn't be too bothered by it and I would be able to see past it to the rest of the story, but the fact is, the love triangle bothered me way more than I was expecting. In fact, I was pretty exasperated with the whole thing by the end of the book. And even though I was able to enjoy the story and I really did want to know how it ended, I was still upset with American's wishy washy-ness.

Honestly, the triangle was just too much and that made me sad because this is a good story. It is well written and there are some very swoon worthy moments and great messages but that love triangle was a bear to get through and made my love for this series falter. 

I will be reading the last book because of sheer morbid curiosity but my love for this series, isn't quite what it once was, but again, I do love the writing and the engaging storyline. If it wasn't for the triangle, I would be rating this much higher but I just can't get past it, no matter how hard I try so for that, this is getting only three stars from me. 



66 comments:

  1. A great and honest review, thanks for sharing.

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  2. Ah yes, my curiousity, too, will pretty much make me want to pick up the first book even though I absolutely hate love triangles, lol.

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  3. The Selection is on my TBR but I see kind of mixed reviews for it, this one and what not. It kind of keeps slipping lower. Glad it still had enjoyable parts and hope you like the next one better!

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    1. Thanks Grace and if you try it, I do hope you like it.

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  4. I liked The Selection okay too, but never picked up the sequels for whatever reason. I don't really regret not doing it. It's a shame because it sounds like it could have been a good story but the triangle ruined it. I hate when that happens. Sorry this was a disappointment, Ali!
    Great review!

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    1. Thanks Nick, it really did make it not a great read, which was sad because I did like it other than that.

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  5. Yessssss Ali! I couldn't agree more! I enjoyed The Selection, I found it entertaining even if it wasn't mind-blowing, but the triangle in this one drove me absolutely batty and I never did end up finishing the series. Maybe the newest book with the daughter will be triangle-free:)

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  6. I hate when a first book was great and then book 2 is just... okay. What a bummer. I hope the rest of the series is much better for ya!

    Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger

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  7. Ali, I totally know how you feel about needing closure even if you might be just a little afraid of the journey ;-)
    xo

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  8. I remember really enjoying The Selection, and it is a fun escape for sure. I've yet to finish it due to so many stressing how it's hard to get past the love-triangle in book two. I do want to finish - like you mentioned, I NEED to know the ending, lol. Hopefully the last book will make it worth it.
    Happy Friday & have a great weekend, Ali :)

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  9. Didn't enjoy this series, too The Bachelor for my taste. And jealous you're reading SFine's latest!

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  10. Meh, I didn't quite get along with the first book. Honestly, I was really surprised when I heard about the movie. To me, the first book was pretty forgettable, hardly worthy of being made into a movie... Anyway. Sorry you couldn't enjoy the sequel :\ But I wouldn't worry - plenty of other fish in the sea :D Have a great weekend!

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    1. I can't even imagine what the movie will be like. 0_o

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  11. I really loved the first book but this series turned out to be meh for me. I didn't like how Maxon acted in this book. And I didn't exactly love how the last book turned out. It just felt rushed. I read the The Heir and I hated it :/

    ~Karina @ A Reader Under The Sea

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    1. I think I will be passing on The Heir for sure. I don't think I can stomach it. ;)

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  12. I felt the same about the love triangle. It made me so incredibly mad. I basically only read this series for the prince. I never liked America, but I will admit, I really liked the last book (despite how frustrating it got at times). The author is continuing the series (not from America's POV, thankfully) and I have heard mostly great things so far. I believe I may continue reading. I'm sorry this one didn't live up to your expectations.

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    1. That's okay, glad the last book was good for you though Natalie, that is promising!

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  13. I felt the same about the love triangle. It made me so incredibly mad. I basically only read this series for the prince. I never liked America, but I will admit, I really liked the last book (despite how frustrating it got at times). The author is continuing the series (not from America's POV, thankfully) and I have heard mostly great things so far. I believe I may continue reading. I'm sorry this one didn't live up to your expectations.

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  14. I'm still on the fence about this series. I know I will eventually cave, but I haven't yet. Maybe I'll just read the first book only... Might solve my problem. LOL

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    1. It might then at least you could see the triangle for yourself. ;)

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  15. This series is sitting in the back of my pocket as s fluff read. Sounds like a good one overall, too bad about the love triangle

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  16. I still haven't read this series. I hate a wishy washy love triangle! At least the rest of the book was good. Sometimes it's nice to read something fluffy. I'm sorry this wasn't as good as the first one.

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    1. It is nice every now and then for sure Molly. :D

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  17. I never picked up book two despite enjoying book one..you have put me at ease with that decision..lol

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  18. I'm sorry to hear this one wasn't as good as the first for you! Sometimes distance really does change how you see things. Yes, you knew this would be a fluffy read, but what you can handle in a fluffy read can change. :)

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  19. It's too bad for the love triangle there. I'm sorry to see it wasn't as good as you thought it was...

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  20. Oh I remember reading this and liking it ! Usually I don't like love triangles, but I wasn't bothered by this one. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy the thrid book more that this one :)
    Great review ^^

    @ "Book Addict"

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    1. I sometimes don't either but America really bothered me with her back and forth for some reason.

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  21. Sorry that you did not enjoy this book as much as you thought you would but great review!

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  22. That's always disappointing especially when you did enjoy the others in the series. I don't mind triangles but they're rarely done well. I've seen a few over the years that didn't hit those grrrrr buttons but worked. Rare unfortunately to find those.

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    1. I love when they are done well but you're right, it is rare to find them.

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  23. Oh no! I have such high expectations for this one. Almost everyone I know swears by this series. I wasn't aware of the love triangle either, but then again, my friends wouldn't dare spoil the books for me. The books are on my TBR, I think I will get to them eventually, but I'm not in a hurry. Thank you so much for your honest thoughts though! :)

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  24. I want to read this series soon. I'm not expecting to be blown away so my expectations aren't high. Great review!

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  25. Yeah, my experience was the same except I was a bit more frustrated with it. And unfortunately, The One was actually worse for me. The Heir even worse still. I just can't stop reading them! Like you said, they are fluff reads-like candy. Ah, well. Nice review!

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    1. It is hard not to read them, triangle or not!

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  26. I really don't mind a good love-triangle that's done well, but when there is a lot of annoying wishy washy-ness ... nope. I want to slap a b---h. lol.

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    1. This one really wasn't well done, it was just frustrating more than anything.

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  27. Yeah. This is one of those series that I wouldn't even bother to get just because it's not something that I know in my heart, that I will not enjoy. There was just too many elements from it that goes against what I like in books. Least of all is the love triangle.

    Good on you for sticking it out, though!

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  28. I think we all got tired of love triangles. The wishy-washy heroines that vacillate between two guys is just too annoying. Sorry to hear it sort of spoiled the story for you. Great honest review! :)

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  29. I wasn't a huge fan of The Selection so I never really had the urge to continue the series. I'm sorry to hear that the love triangle became so overbearing and began taking over the plot a bit - that's honestly what I was kind of afraid of. But I'm impressed you stuck with it Ali! Thanks for sharing and fabulous review! ♥

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  30. I admit that the love-triangle in this is atrociously intense... but I just love the story so much and the characters as well so, somehow, I did not mind it enough to ruin the reading experience for me. :P

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    1. Yeah that was the thing, the story itself was really good, just the love triangle was frustrating. It definitely didn't stop me from picking up the last book. I just had to know how it ended!

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  31. Yeah, I ended up giving up on this series after this book because it just didn't work for me. I have heard the 3rd book isn't much better, so I am quite glad I never bothered continuing with it.

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    1. Yeah I did read it and it was better but, not by much. ;)

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  32. I haven't really had an urge to read this series but I know that it seems a lot of people love it and a lot of people hate it. It looks like you're landing more in the middle with this one.

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    1. This was a middle type of read for me. A good fluff read if nothing else.

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  33. I HATE love triangles...I tried to read this series, but just couldn't get into it.!!!

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    1. I'm really starting to dislike them as well. :(

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