Kiera Cass

The captivating third book in Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series America Singer searches for her happily ever after in this swoon-worthy YA dystopian romance, perfect for readers who loved Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Lauren Oliver’s Delirium, or Renée Ahdieh’s The Wrath & the Dawn. Entering the Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she arrived at the palace, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants. Don’t miss The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate Kiera Cass’s legion of loyal readers and lovers of courtly intrigue alike!

The One

"As her Selection approaches its finish, America must decide where her heart truly lies--and Prince Maxon must pick one winner to wear the crown"--

As her Selection approaches its finish, America must decide where her heart truly lies, and Prince Maxon must pick one winner to wear the crown. The plot contains mild profanity, sexual references, and graphic violence. Book #3

Luna

»Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway. [...] I'll love you until my very last breath. Every beat of my heart is yours. I don't want to die without you knowing that.«

»Brich mir das Herz. Brich es mir tausendmal, wenn du willst. Es gehört dir. [...] Ich werde dich bis zu meinem letzten Atemzug lieben. Jeder Schlag meines Herzens gehört nur dir. Ich will nicht sterben, ohne dass du das weißt.«

»Ich wünschte, ich könnte Dir eine bessere Bühne bieten, America.«

»Doch manchmal geht es darum, was man tun will, nicht, was man tun muss.«

»Mir ist nur klargeworden, Mer, dass egal, was passiert... Zwischen uns wird es immer eine Verbindung geben. Ich werde mich niemals nicht um dich sorgen. Es wird mir nie egal sein, was du tust. Du wirst mir immer etwas bedeuten.«

»Gerade weil Sie die Krone nicht wollen, sind Sie vielleicht die beste Person, um sie zu tragen.«

Someone

Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.

Elizabeth

“I wish I could give you a better stage, America.”

"If it ends as I suspect it will, Mom will be just fine."

“I’m just realizing, Mer, that no matter what happens… there will always be a string tying you to me. I'll never not worry about you. I’ll never not care about what you do. You’ll always be something to me.”

Sophie

tiffany 

nicole l

amelia grace 

Emerson Clute

THE SELECTION changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. Now, only one will claim Prince Maxon’s heart... It’s swoon meets the Hunger Games in the third instalment of THE SELECTION series!

The One (The Selection, Book 3)

Kristina Cole

Tamika Gideon

leonie

Trista

Lucy 

sophia roberts 

Kate W

I ate the first 3 books up in 2 days! Highly recommend. Cannot wait to read on!

Taylor Nuzzolo

Anna 

** spoiler alert **
           Tak, a je tu vyvrcholení boje o korunu. I když asi všichni víme, jak kniha dopadla, já jsem byla překvapená u každého zvratu. America se už konečně rozhodla, o koho doopravdy stojí, ale než to řekla, uběhlo tři čtvrtě knihy. V tomto díle se nějakých 150 stran nedělo skoro nic, ale konec, to byla jízda na horské dráze! V klidu jsem si četla, připravená na to, že konečně nastane happy end, a najednou bum! Zvrat z jedné strany, a než bych se z toho dokázala vzpamatovat tak bum! Zvrat z druhé strany a do třetice bum! Zvraty všude kolem. Pomalu jsem ani nedokázala vnímat všechny informace. Ani jsem nevěřila, že budu plakat, ale vážně jsem chvílemi brečela! Konec mi přišel uspěchaný, a myslím, že u jednoho těch velikých zvratů, u kterých jsem si myslela, že se propadu hrůzou a hanbou, jsem se na knihu začala dívat trochu jinak. Princovo konečné rozhodnutí mě trochu překvapilo (samozřejmě že jsem věděla, jak to skončí, ještě než jsem se do série pustila). Ale překvapilo mě vzhledem k událostem. Nevím, co bych na jeho místě udělala já, jestli bych dokázala milovat jako on a prostě všechno hodit za hlavu. Ale stalo se a já jsem sice na konci byla trochu smutná, že to nedopadlo tak, jak America plánovala, ale přece jen to bylo dobré uzavření série (vím vím, ještě je Dcera a Koruna, ale to mi přijde spíš jako takové volné pokračování)
✩
První tedy dám 4,5*/5*, protože i tady mě America občas trochu lezla na nervy, a hlavně ten konec byl takový.. Rychlý? Nepřehledný? Sama nevím.

** spoiler alert **
           the author didn't have to kill off queen amberly, anee and celeste like that 😭

Nanthanat Chompradist

*audiobook
2.5/5 ⭐️ though there were some enjoyable scenes in the second book. Honestly, I doubt I would have finished the series if I hadn't listened to it as an audiobook. 

After completing all three books, I can confidently say I don't like the series. 

I don‘t like America.
I don’t like Maxon.
I don’t like Aspen.

Throughout the series, there wasn't a single character I rooted for. I liked Maxon at first,but his actions, words, logic, and letters made me cringe so much. ICK ICK ICK

But they deserve each other 🤡🤡

Megan

2 stars for the entire series. 

I generally do not understand the hype around these books. I read them very fast, which was a positive, but I feel like they could have been done 10x better. Maxon and America barely had any chemistry and they spent most of the series fighting and misunderstanding each other. The end kind of felt like a cop out, to be honest. I might read the two about their daughter simply to see more of them actually liking each other.

Danielle Annika

this book is what would happen if the hunger games and twilight made a baby. it's not bad, don't get me wrong. if you want a quick and easy read or if you just wanna experience love secondhand then this series would be great for you! but if you're looking for a groundbreaking story with unpredictable plot twists, then maybe it wouldn't be for you :))

chloe rae

*4.5 stars*

This was by far the best book in the series! I could NOT put it down! I mean, I finished it in a day! I can't believe I waited so long to read it! America still got on my nerves a few times (which is the only reason this book isn't 5 stars for me) but everything else in the story was so fantastic.

I'm not sure if I want to move on to the The Heir. Honestly, I'm just so content in the way this series wrapped up here and I may leave it at that.. But who knows? I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye to Maxon and America yet. I almost gave up on this series but I'm so glad I didn't. This book made everything worth it. SO GOOD.

Elizabeth Van Deusen

** spoiler alert **
           I have finished America and Maxon’s love story. Everything this series is from the first book to this one has been nothing but 5 stars. So much emotion and impatience I had for this story as it unfolded. My heart breaks that Celeste is gone. I love that Lucy and Aspen are an item. But more than anything, I love the union of America and Maxon. This series is perfection.

it's been years since i've read this book but i'm changing my rating from 4 stars to a 3. though pleased with the ending, i remember being so tired with the love triangle and the drama and just wanted my girl america to end up with her prince.

ꕀ *🫖

honour

these books were as good as they were exhausting. i really did find myself enjoying them and i actually feel attached to the characters more than i thought i would be, but the back and forth between america and maxon and the amount of angst throughout the three books i’m afraid just wasn’t completely for me, not right at this moment anyway. despite all that, i really did enjoy the books tremendously and intend to (at some point) read the rest of the series on their daughter and the novellas i decided to skip while reading!

Naiya

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

this is my number one read EVER - and I’ve read hundreds of books in my life

this completely changed my life 

so many people don’t like her books but the first three selection books and happily ever after: selection stories were all ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me

Nina Verhaaff 

Tasia

This book is a nice end to America and Maxons story! It was cute and all, the last pages were just a little bit uncalled for, I think the whole Aspen situation could resolve differently and I didn’t like the attack… but over all, I’m so glad they ended up together and can’t wait to read the next book!

Basic Girl Reads

Hannah Yang

I may be rating this the same as I rated the others, but The One is without a doubt my favorite in The Selection series. Consider my rating a 3.5!

The One focuses more on the rebels we hear so much about, and also the end of the Selection that grows ever closer. Yet, Maxon's answer seems to change every day, keeping Elise, Kriss, Celeste, and America ever-worried about their position in his heart. Which magically also helps them to set aside their differences and become friends. As the end draws near, America's not sure who she really knows, but she does find out who's really taken her heart. 

I really don't think I'm spoiling anything when I say: Maxon !!

  I had found everything I'd ever wanted - things I didn't even know I was looking for - here in Maxon's arms. And if I had him to guide me, to hold me, then I could take on the world.

My favorite part of this book was probably the huge improvement in the characters. I loved getting to know each of their weaknesses and insecurities and how lovely they all were. I ached for Elise, who was mostly there out of duty rather than love. I pitied Celeste, who ended up being one of my favorite Elites. ((view spoiler)[her death was probably the worst for me. Screw the king, I want Celeste back! (hide spoiler)]) I always liked Kriss, for all her fairy-princess-esque ways, and in this book I think we saw a different side to her than the meek in-love girl. I mean, this is probably one of the best quotes in the book:

  Kriss was hugging me and half screaming in my ear. The smell on her breath said she'd been drinking quite a bit, and the glass in her hand confirmed she wasn't planning on stopping.
The newer characters that are introduced (August and Georgia) were great as well and I only wished we had seen more of them.

Finally, I come to the reason why I didn't enjoy the first too books as much. America.
America was so much better when she made up her mind. I think the main reason I couldn't like her that much in the first few books was because she just.. she changed her mind every few pages. That was too inconsistent for me - and I think now I can really relate to Maxon's frustrations with her. Perhaps it was best to start out annoyed at America, then gradually like her. (view spoiler)[Also, bonus: I'm super happy that Aspen and Lucy ended up together. Maxon and America may be King and Queen, but I can tell that Aspen's going to make Lucy feel like a princess. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I think Maxon is one of the characters who's changed the most and for the better since the series began. I used to think he was a creepy person who called everyone "dear". Now, I can feel his love for America (permanently linked with the teeniest bit of oh-my-gosh-what-are-you-doing-whaaat) and I can also relate to him on a spiritual level. I mean, come on:

  These letters are so embarrassing. I'll have to burn them before you get home.

The writing didn't change much. I think it improved, but still, it's the same familiar style. However, the plot was so much more interesting. I can't say much without spoiling, but trust me, if you didn't like the first two books so much it gets better here!

I felt like I read The One much quicker than I read the first two books, and I was actually disappointed by how quickly it went. I almost thought the ending was too rushed: I wanted more! Of course, everything's wrapped up very nicely (though I have to say.. killing off the King and Queen seemed like an easy way out) and I was satisfied with everything.

I will say that if you haven't read the first two books, The One will not be as enjoyable because a) comparison and b) towards the beginning of the book, America's constantly referencing to things that happened in the other books.

Overall, I really enjoyed The One and more importantly, seeing Kiera Cass's growth as a writer throughout this series. I think The Selection series has come a long way from where it started and I couldn't be happier with where it's going. Time to find the next books!

becky oh

"𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖, 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙯𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙤-𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙙𝙖𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣.
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤."

I'm still heartbroken. Even if this had the perfect ending I would imagine, I'm still a bit sad. A part of me is grateful that America deserved the love she needed, but I'm jealous. And a bit angry, and sad. Because it was the story, I couldn't do anything, but it really made me jealous a lot. For America. She really deserved honesty and love, but as America said in this book, she still couldn't say that she loved Maxon. Because she Maxon didn't give his heart to her wholly. He only gave a part of him, and a part to Kass, another to Elise and the other one to Celeste. I really agreed to America for this. Because Maxon had to date all the girls in the selection, he only gave a part of him.

But that doesn't mean it's an excuse for Maxon. If he truly did love America, he should've gave all of him to her. If he didn't love her enough to give up his love for America, he doesn't deserve her. But. of course, he got some senses in the end. A bit.

Talking about senses, Aspen got some as well. I was rolling my eyes (view spoiler)[that he finally gave up on America and moved on to Lucy. A great couple, and I'm thankful that they will one day have their happily ever after. (hide spoiler)] and nodding at the same time. I'm really glad he was a good guy, but obviously, he always was. No doubt.

I'm sorry, but I really couldn't take Kass anymore. She is just, a fly hanging around Maxon and America. The part that America was confused if she (Maxon as well) loved him, is because Kass was 'something' to Maxon. I hated that. I hated Kass had to take Maxon's heart a bit and I hate that she had to be the one everyone liked. Of course, I was the one who was disgusted by her. She's so selfish and jealous. All she wants is Maxon, Maxon, Maxon, and it bugged me a lot. Because she was loved, popular and sweet (I did not say that, the book did) America couldn't approach Maxon sooner. 
I'm sorry to Kass's fans (if she has any) but I really hate her. She only loves Maxon, not the country. Her heart is not warm enough like America's to be loved by the maids as well.

This was a heartbreaking series but I loved every moment. America has the warmest heart I've ever known in books, and I wish her well. Because the next book is not going to be about her, but rather, her daughter....

I still whoop for America all the way.

Yasmin Dunnewind

i really don't know what to say a lot happened in this book. but what i do know is that i've been knew about aspen from the very first signs, not spoiler anything but def just wanted to share this.

Briar's Reviews

This series is my guilty pleasure. Honestly, when I pick a book up in this series I literally cannot put it down! They are cute, fast-paced, PG-13, and absolutely adorable!

The One is a continuation of Kiera Cass's The Selection series. This book feels like an episode rather than a sequel. Especially I've always considered The Selection to be a sort of YA Bachelor with a lot more dystopia and a few less roses! So, in this third episode America is one of the final contestants (ahem... I mean Elites?.... Potential Princesses?) in The Selection for Maxon's heart. Mer and Max seem like they are End Game, but they are constantly fighting over little things. Mer wants Max to say he loves her first, but he's also still getting handsy with some of the other girls. Max wants Mer to admit her love for him, but he still doesn't know she used to have feelings for Aspen. 

Mer and Max decide that they will split the numbered system up during Max's reign, so they align with the Northern rebels who aren't attacking them. Along the way, a major character's death occurs, the Selection is finally determined (you know, cause the title is "The One", it's a spoiler but the book's title ruined it...) and the series has a somewhat good "finale" despite the series not being over. Honestly, it felt like a good stopping place but THERE IS MORE TO COME!

Anywho, this book is super cheesey and romantic but at the same time utterly frustrating. I get these are teenage characters in YA universe, but sometimes I just wanted to smack these girls. Max is getting handsy with all of the girls and they are all in love with him. This is brought up in the book (America, our smart heroine, asks Max how he can love one of them when his heart is in pieces - one with each girl), but MAN these girls are dense in that regards. That was my biggest irk - I understand this book is a dystopia but come on girls! It was hard for me to grasp that this is "normal" in their world, so that's all on me.

Another side note: Aspen's story line just suddenly changes. SO QUICKLY. Again, Kiera! Give me just a few more chapters to follow through with that story line! This book felt just a little rushed. The book could have been 100 more pages and felt just as amazing! 

But other than my big irk, I LOVE this series. The romance that does happen is honestly cute, adorable and sweet! The pair escaping to hide in the castle, the epic adventure they go on, and one of Max's final scenes in the book stand out! Additionally, this book has comedy laced throughout it's contents and it quite amusing. 

Regarding the plot - it moves REALLY fast, which is great because the romance, action and comedy are all evenly balanced. The worst part about the plot is how fast the ending happens. The ending could have happened in a few chapters and felt perfect. But, it was put into one chapter! A lot of major plot points happen (including death) in such a short amount of time! I get that we only really watch America's point of view, but with Kiera's amazing writing I would have loved to see her write out exactly what happened in the final moments of the book.

There is a final epilogue. I feel like Kiera didn't intend for this series to go on but then suddenly had an epic idea or realized the profitability of this series. Either way, the epilogue is super cute and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This trilogy following America and Maxon felt like it ended wonderfully... which is good, because I'm pretty sure this series follows a different character in the next book!

Overall, this book was a wonderful addition to the Selection series and I will definitely be continuing this series when I can find the next books in this series!

Note: This book would have been a 5 because I honestly loved how I just disappeared into this book! Buuuuuut... this book felt way too rushed. The story was so good for the type of book it is, but Kiera could have added a couple of chapters and drawn a few plot points out. She's a good writer, so none of us readers would have complained! It's still a marvelous book though! 

Four out of five!

Alexis Donahue

Favorite book of the America and Maxon trilogy! So glad I picked this series up!

Very fun series. The end was an entire emotional rollercoaster to go on, and I had to take several breaks from having my eyes witness those pages, but it was a great book nonetheless. (Perhaps even because of that.) This book is full of (friendly) rivalries, danger, love and pretty dresses. Based alone on that, this series is a recommend.

Penna Alae

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they've formed, rivalries they've struggled with and dangers they've faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives. Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen. America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose - and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

“break my heart. break it a thousand times if you like. it was only ever yours to break anyway.”
(inhales sharply) i love maxon too much

karalea

honestly the book couldve ended with the elite lol i dont see why it had to be stretched out this long but i guess im not complaining

80% of the way the way through the book I was thinking of giving the book 3 stars.

I can point exactly when the downhill began: Celeste getting shot in the head point-blank. It DID have a lot of shock value but after redeeming this antagonist character, she is the ONLY ex-candidate that was specifically stated to be killed.

The end of the book is just the cherry on top after three books of poor explanations, nonexistent descriptions, and key points being noted pages and pages after they become key points.

 the next book is a time skip. Which means that all the horrible things that happened at the very end of this book will now be ✨completely not dealt with except for as a plot point✨ and ✨the weight of all of those deaths are going to be glossed over✨

The author also massively glossed over the 

. The prince kinda finds out and then decides that he won't talk to MC and will instead marry someone else. He's about to make the announcement! 

 Oh look now he's professing his undying love to MC. Oh look they're not addressing it after the fact. Okay it looks like they're just not going to talk about what happened. Oh look they're getting married and the book is over and now the prince is king because his parents also got shot.

I took notes of sections in this book to highlight its absolute lack of description but the end was so frustrating that I don't want to even go through my notes. In short, visual things are described so poorly that I have no idea what any of the outfit or items in the book look like. The descriptions borderline read as "The dress had long draping sleeves and was glittery. It was the most beautiful dress of all the other dresses in the room." 

Reagan

80% of the way the way through the book I was thinking of giving the book 3 stars.

After finishing the book... awful.

SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT

I can point exactly when the downhill began: Celeste getting shot in the head point-blank. It DID have a lot of shock value but after redeeming this antagonist character, she is the ONLY ex-candidate that was specifically stated to be killed.

The end of the book is just the cherry on top after three books of poor explanations, nonexistent descriptions, and key points being noted pages and pages after they become key points.

On top of that - the next book is a time skip. Which means that all the horrible things that happened at the very end of this book will now be ✨completely not dealt with except for as a plot point✨ and ✨the weight of all of those deaths are going to be glossed over✨

The author also massively glossed over the three book long love triangle issue. The prince kinda finds out and then decides that he won't talk to MC and will instead marry someone else. He's about to make the announcement! OH NO HE GOT SHOT! Oh look now he's professing his undying love to MC. Oh look they're not addressing it after the fact. Okay it looks like they're just not going to talk about what happened. Oh look they're getting married and the book is over and now the prince is king because his parents also got shot.

I took notes of sections in this book to highlight its absolute lack of description but the end was so frustrating that I don't want to even go through my notes. In short, visual things are described so poorly that I have no idea what any of the outfit or items in the book look like. The descriptions borderline read as "The dress had long draping sleeves and was glittery. It was the most beautiful dress of all the other dresses in the room." 

The One

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Highlights