The Elite (The Selection, #2) in Sophomore Reading Challenge

Jul 07, 2012 Andi (Andi's ABCs) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, own, would-recommend, series, books-from-m, audible-wish-list

GAH!!!!!!!!!!! That was basically my thought the whole time I was reading The Elite. I mean I was an emotional wreck for two days every time I picked it up and it still hasn’t passed. It had been a long time, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and Insurgent by Veronica Roth long, since I felt the kind of stress I did reading this book. Every turn of the page I knew I was getting further and further into the story that was going to rip my heart out and that I was getting closer and closer to the end wh GAH!!!!!!!!!!! That was basically my thought the whole time I was reading The Elite. I mean I was an emotional wreck for two days every time I picked it up and it still hasn’t passed. It had been a long time, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and Insurgent by Veronica Roth long, since I felt the kind of stress I did reading this book. Every turn of the page I knew I was getting further and further into the story that was going to rip my heart out and that I was getting closer and closer to the end which meant I would have to wait for book 3. And when I did reach that end I think my heart was ripped out of my chest and stepped on. Because The Elite, The Elite was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story takes place directly after The Selection has ended. America is now in the final 6 and knows exactly how our dear Prince Maxon feels about her. And America is well on her way to feeling the exact same thing. Maxon is giving her what she asks for, time, but when something happens America has no idea what she really wants and in the process pushes Maxon away. Soon America is watching as Maxon begins to get close to the other girls while she begins to once again get close to Aspen. As a war wages closer and closer to the castle America must figure out which boy her heart belongs to and if she has the guts to live the life of a queen.

America frustrated me to on end in this book. She just would not make up her mind and it was making me crazy. One second she was all team Maxon and the next she was team Aspen. I just wanted to smack her upside the head and tell her what to do. And that right there is why I loved this book. I was dragged in to the story emotionally and mentally and that shows the power of what Cass was trying to convey. Because really, teenagers don’t know what they want. They are frustrating and uncertain and scared, much like I am at 33, haha. But really America’s uncertainty was honest and realistic. I saw what she was feeling at times because Maxon was acting a fool and I wanted to choke him. He would say one thing to America and do another. But again, he was just as uncertain as she was because he had no answers. She was leading him on and asking for time, but keeping her first love on the side without his knowledge. He was between a rock and a hard place and acted out which although annoying, I understood.

What I really didn’t like was Aspen. In the first book he definitely wasn’t my favorite person once the prince was introduced. But in The Elite I hated him. Everything he did I thought was very manipulative and played on America’s feelings for him. He was/is using her to play out his agenda, whatever that may be. I don’t feel he is genuine at all when it comes to her and I have no use for him. Even with Maxon being an idiot, I’m still Team Maxon all the way. He made mistakes, America has made mistakes, but really who of use hasn’t?! And learning a little more of his background made me love him even more.

Basically Cass made me an emotional mess with this book and proved I was right when I called this series book crack. It isn’t good for you, it will rip out your soul, but you need to get your fix. You get so wrapped up in the lives of America, Maxon and Aspen that you forget they aren’t real people and you don’t need to be as emotional about it. Bravo Ms. Cass for sucking me and in keeping me there. Now give me book 3!
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Princess Bookie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read2013

My Thoughts: I loved loved loved The Selection. It was one of my favorites of the year! And I remember yelling at the end of the novel because I wanted the next one right than! I was so happy to get to read The Elite! Whohooo!

We are back with America. The competition to win Maxon’s heart is now down to just six girls and the stakes are getting high. Each one wants him for her own reasons. Poor America is more torn than ever. She really does enjoy Maxon’s company but she also still has feelings ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 23, 2013 Mariana Bezerra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013

I was so anxious for this book that I devoured a novella and was left unhappy about the waiting for the next one. Sometimes the worst part is wait for the next volume.

I devoured this book, but was left really sad, because for once I have no idea who America will chose, I an only hope it’s Maxon because he is my favorite and he showed a good side on this story, plus he’s trying to change some rules. We also got to see some very disturbing scenes of the monarchy and a few questions were answered ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 Shanyn added it · review of another edition

I was a big fan of THE SELECTION, so I was super excited to read THE ELITE, because Kiera Cass did a good job of leaving me with intriguing questions at the end of book one that needed to be addressed in book two.

Full Review: http://chickloveslit.com/2013/04/revi... ...more

Like · see review

Apr 27, 2014 Melissa rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Ugh! I was really hoping this would be as good as The Selection, but sadly I was disappointed. I didn't like America in this one as I wanted to shake her and tell her to make a decision between Maxom and Aspen. I can only hope the author does a better job in the last book coming out this week! ...more

Like · see review

Jun 28, 2013 Emi えみ Takami 鷹見 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, young-adult

Not as good as the first one, but still very enjoyable!

While America flipflops between Maxon and Aspen, the rebellion is heating up, not to mention the competition getting fiercer.

Like · see review

Mar 08, 2013 Sasha rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult, romance, chick-lit, parts-of-series, bad, dystopian, dafuq-did-i-just-read, infuriating-books, best-covers, lots-of-drama

Ugh. Will write a review in the morning. It's 1:34 in the morning and I'm pissed. I need a rebound book...and fast. Fast read. I've been reading for about...5 hours or less. All I want is for those five hours to somehow reappear in my life. That one day I will have a 29 hour day instead of a 24 hour day. My disappointment with this book as well as my inversely related anger is rising while writing this. Did I mention it's 1:34 IN THE MORNING? Maxon, you, my royal ass, are a douche. America, you, ...more

Like · see review