Kiera Cass

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 forever than ever-and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairytale? 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.

Book #2

The Elite

Luna

»Don't tug your ear with anyone else. That's mine.«

»Liebe war eine schöne Form von Angst.«

bb_nxhaa

tiffany 

I didn’t love America’s choices or how she handled her internal battle with her little love triangle but I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope so that may just be a me thing. The climax and ending definitely made up for it though. #TeamMaxon

Taylor Nuzzolo

Got way better towards the end. Still not good enough and mostly boring. CHOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!! JESUS

Anna 

** spoiler alert **
           Možná to bylo mým nadšením nad Selekcí, a proto mě Elita lehce zklamala. Samozřejmě se z toho vyklubal výplňkový druhý díl, ale že by se do toho přimíchal ještě zcela nesmyslný milostný trojúhelník, to už bylo i na mě moc. Celé čtení jsem byla jeden velký uzlíček nervů a neustále bych jen křičela na Americu, aby si už konečně jednoho vybrala a toho druhého nechala svému osudu. V téhle knize America tak neskutečně riskovala, že jsem se normálně bála, že trest by padl i na mě, jelikož jsem o tom, co prováděla, věděla. America taky neustále vyčítala princi, že si vychází i s ostatními dívkami v Elitě, ale přitom si za to mohla jen ona sama, protože to ona byla nerozhodná. 
✩
Knížka byla slabší, ale jelikož jsem si sérii tolik oblíbila, dala jsem jí 4*/5*. Pokud se vám Selekce alespoň trochu líbila, pusťte se do ní. Sice se budete neustále rozčilovat, ale občas to za to prostě stojí :D

America and maxon pushing and pulling then there's aspen

Molly M

how. HOW !!!!! was this even worse than the first one. oh my GODDDDDDD oh my god. if i threaten to pick up book three the next time ive gotta do intense chores, someone take me out

Monicap

Yep. Sure did mess that one up. Nice going, America, nice going.

Jade 🌷

** spoiler alert **
           I don’t typically review books but this one had me CAPTIVATED. This is my second time rereading the first 3 books in the series and wow, what can I say? 

We see Lady America learns a lot about the history of her country, more importantly the history of the throne. This enticing read sets up for the end of the competition where we see it really is only between Lady America and another. Yet towards the end, we see Lady America must begin again. 

Perfect, quick and easy read.

Danielle Annika

im tired of this woman. like i tried, okay? REALLYYY tried, but just... WHYYYYY???? like sis why do you constantly choose to make the worst decisions possible.

Annalissa Powner 

just like the first book i loved the second! but i have to say the beginning felt a little rushed and i was just waiting for something bad to happening seeing as she had yet to tell that Aspen was in the castle.. and then its like the story was all over the map! i mean i love what she is doing and i really hope she wraps it up really well in the third third book so that there arent so many "what happened with that whole situation" but all in all i still like how things worked out and cant wait to read the third book!

chloe rae

*3.5 stars!*

This is my second time reading it and it would've been 4 stars completely but I forgot how annoying America was at certain parts. However, the awesome ending made up for it and now I'm FINALLY jumping into The One! Super excited!

Nanthanat Chompradist

*audiobook

1.5/5⭐️

Thanks for uhh... nothing. Nothing happened at all—like, really nothing. I see no purpose. America is so indecisive. It can be amusing at first, but too much becomes annoying, and this book is annoying.

Elizabeth Van Deusen

What can I say? Kiera Cass continues to have me hooked in this series.

dulce yasmin 

pls the only conflict here is america being indecisive

Now, I really love this series however this book really annoyed me. I don’t like the love triangle and America’s ever-changing feelings for Maxon. There’s also way too much Aspen in this book. That being said, it still managed to entertain me and I really love the chemistry Maxon and America have so I shall be continuing with the series. 

Olivia 

Bailey Johnson

I’m gonna have to give the third book a minute before reading it. These endings are killing me with the non endings. It was good but drawn out for way longer than it needs to be

Macy Johnson

It was about what I expected. I felt about The Elite pretty much how I felt about The Selection. I might have been a little bit more intrigued in this one. Things heated up in general and there was one scene where an innocent character was treated very poorly and it was pretty upsetting. The love triangle was confusing and goes back and forth so much it's dizzying. Still, if you don't take it too seriously it's kind of a fun read. I'm still not super attached to the characters OR the series, though, and I don't see myself changing my mind on that.

America had me stressed and Maxon, ugh I'm not sure how I feel about him anymore

RacquelElizabeth

Hannah Yang

Huh. Um, I'm not really sure what to say about The Elite.

The Elite is the second book in The Selection series, and with only six girls left in the Selection, America needs to make up her mind: Maxon or Aspen. Can I comment here that America's indecisiveness throughout this book irritated me to no end? With more and more rebel attacks, Maxon and America's relationship beginning to fall apart, and a shocking elimination of one of the girls, it seems that the only thing America wants (time, and lots of it) is running out.

There were some things I was really happy to see in this book, and other things that I felt less fond of. Start with the positive, shall we?

Unlike The Selection, which was generally either predictable and boring or aggravatingly annoying, there were some lovely plot twists and some more character development. 

I was unimpressed with Queen Amberly's character - everybody gushes about what a sweet, wonderful, and poised lady she is, yet I didn't see much of a character at all. I hope in The One, more of the queen's colors will show (meaning, yes, I liked this book enough to continue the series. Hurrah!)

King Clarkson was, of course, a complete ass. But at least we got to see his character. It will be difficult to go on without spoiling anything, but it seems as though he's meant to mimic Gregory's mindset, which I think may be important in the future. I abhor his actions but I'm sure they're relevant (also, I'm curious to know more about the king and queen's relationship. Now that I know slightly more about both of them, I don't know what to think!)

Maxon was, well... since America is the narrator, he's portrayed as being very on-and-offy. However, I think he's matured (is that the right word?) from the first book, and I hope to see even more from him later on. I love what he did for Marlee, because that shows he's not his father, but I'm also a bit peeved at him for being involved with so many girls and not seeing anything wrong with it (sounds like something his father would do, pfft). I'm glad he seems to be less of a doormat, though.

Kriss was a likable character, I suppose, and I think she's meant to fade more into the background and be the lovable, kind-hearted, absolutely perfect girl that is America's competition. She seems to genuinely adore Maxon, and she'd be a good princess (as America mourned, many many times). I have nothing much to say about her. Celeste disappointed me because she was such a b-ends with itch in the first book. I so wanted to see her continue to be a mean and terrible person. I mean, she did, and she was still awful, but apart from a few times she really didn't even interact with America. The other two girls, Natalie and Elise, were basically just there. They seem to be completely flat characters. We don't get to see a lot of Marlee in this book, but I still like her character and hope to see her again in The One.

Up until now, all the characters seem okay. They aren't as shabby as they were in The Selection - not the most impressively well developed, of course, but Rome wasn't built in a day. So, the worst characters in this book were...

Drumroll please.

America and Aspen!

America was indecisive, basically played with two guys' hearts, wasn't exactly that trustworthy, had the worst temper imaginable, and it still sounds like she thinks she's great. The few times she acknowledges that she has weaknesses - gasp! - are quickly forgotten because everybody, from Maxon to Aspen to her maids, adores her. I'm so glad she and Maxon weren't perfectly perfect this book because otherwise I would probably roll my eyes the whole time. Someone needs to keep her in line, goodness.

Yet, at the same time, I appreciated her character because it allowed us readers to learn more about the country's history. She's obviously supposed to be like Katniss and lead an anti-caste revolution (or something to that effect, stereotypically heroic) but oh well, I can roll with that. I think I was mainly just annoyed at her because I can't possibly fathom how she can love both Maxon and Aspen at once. This might just be me, but if I like one person, there's no one else for me. For America, her loves changed every other page. It drove me crazy!

And Aspen.. no comment. I didn't like him in the first book, and now he just seems to be a pained ex-love. Just there to make America choose between Maxon and someone else. Since you can tell that I despise the whole love triangle thing anyways, my feelings about Aspen being there are pretty obvious. Aspen just seemed a little off, I feel like he's going to become a bad guy later. If he does, I'll like him more because that would add a bit more depth to his character.

As for the rebels, I like the idea of them stealing the diaries, but as soon as that idea's brought up (shockingly, by America) it's shot down. I think there's a huge possibility that it will be the case; and I suspected as much as soon as the rebel dropped all those books. I reaaaally want to know what is up with those rebels, and more about the war in general because, um, I'm not even sure what the war is about (I'm sure it was mentioned somewhere, but I've tragically forgotten).

So the characters are getting better. The writing, like in the first book, is not stellar but not crappy either. The plot is reaching a point where it's getting interesting, and I take back what I said about wishing the books were combined (for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - in my review of The Selection, I said I wanted all three books to be combined into one because I didn't think the Selection process needed to be drawn out so much). Based on what I could tell from The Elite, things will get even more complicated in The One. 

I'm still teetering on the edge. I think I'm starting to warm to the series but I'm starting to like America less and less. Which is problematic, considering she's the protagonist. Anywho, I'll read The One and possibly the novellas, but at this point I just don't know.

the start was a little slow and repetitive but as it progressed it became more and more intriguing!

connie charnock 

Lauren Grey

After finishing Kiera Cass's first book The Selection, I ran out and bought the second one, expecting a great sequel. I admit that I was disappointed. It was horrible, but just not very exciting. I do like the dress on this cover a lot!!

The beginning wasn't bad, but the middle was plain slow and boring, luckily it sped up toward the end and I actually got re-engrossed in the story.

"I don't like giving you and ultimatum, but you're being a bit careless with my one shot." - Maxon Schreave

I have always been a fan of the prince, but throughout this book I felt that he was letting America walk all over him. I want you, I don't want you, I want you, I don't know if I want you... like seriously woman the decision isn't that difficult. When he decided to buck up and let her know that he wasn't messing around anymore, my respect went up for him immensely.

I am still not sure if I like him 100% yet, because there has been some insinuating that he is "doing things" with other girls that is not quite appropriate, much more Bachelor than necessary. I am not sure if it is true and I'm still not sure about the Celeste scene, but I still think he is a good person and has his reasons and is the better choice in the end.

"Don't tug your ear with anyone else. That's mine." - America Singer

The ending was really surprising to me. It took a turn I wasn't expecting, but the above quote was so precious and realistic. Whenever you are close to someone friend or partner, there are things that become so intimate even if they are simple and I liked how emotional that one line was. I really like their relationship, even though I would like it to hurry along. The ending is a bit too obvious, but do we really need a whole other book to get there.

This book definitely changed my view on Maxon's family and I think his father, the king, is a terrible human being and can't wait for them to overthrow him or something.

I didn't think I would be, but I am looking forward to reading the next. I feel like it is going to be mainly about Maxon and America and how they are going to stay together despite so many people telling them they shouldn't, so since I like their relationship so much, I think I will enjoy it. I hope it is fast paced though.

"Love is beautiful fear." - America Singer

becky oh

“𝙄𝙩 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢.”

Through out this book, my heart got broken. In a good way. It teared apart for America and then stitched back up by Maxon's words. And that repeated. Again and again. 

Yes, I'm a sappy reader but this book is so full of jealousy and longing that I could feel it. Feel too much for America's thoughts and hopes. The romance got way too much for me to cope and watch America fall into pieces. Yes, this is going to be some emotional review but I don't care. I'm saying the truth.

It was seriously heart wrenching to just see the romance growing between America and Maxon then suddenly it breaks away by him kissing and touching other girls. It was hard to believe if Maxon actually loved America and if his promises were honest. He said to America that he had to treat equally to other girls, but his heart belonged to her. 

Yeah, right. I forgot he also broke her heart so many times. Including mine.

"𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 . . .”—𝙈𝙖𝙭𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙪𝙣𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜—“𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨, 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚.”

The love triangle (ugh, hated it) has gone so much stronger. And the hate for Kriss increased. A lot. Because, girl. DON'T FOOL YOURSELF THAT MAXON LOVES YOU BECAUSE HE TOTALLY DOESN'T. Celeste, by the way, was being annoying (as usual) that I got over her vainess eventually.

Elise, Kriss, Natalie, Marlee and the guards got some attention (especially Marlee at one point) were nicely written (exclude Kirss, because I hate her for a reason) and everything was fine. Totally fine. But I just felt that maybe they were not that strong enough to want Prince Maxon's heart. Elise, only wants to impress her parents. Natalie, is just a bonus character which I didn't really cared about. Kriss, was loved by all the people in this book (not me). And that leaves Marlee left. I won't say anything to spoil, but I really wish she would be happy. (view spoiler)[with Carter. Forever and ever (hide spoiler)]

“𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮.”

The thing is, it made it not believable enough for me to be convinced that Maxon loved America. When he kissed other girls. It felted he was cheating on America a lot. And especially the scene when Mazon was in the hall. Nope, I will never forgive that.

But the fact that I love this book is because it broke my heart in the right way. I can't believe that the author pulled out the heart breaking moments so easily and carefully. Claps for her, I bet. I really do love this book. I truly do. And I hope others would as well, because this book is some emotional drama series. 

I will always support Maxon and America's love. I just wish sometimes, that things would've been much easier for them. But life isn't like that. Well, so are books.

Briar's Reviews

Kiera Cass has yet another hit with The Elite that has me anxious for the next novel.

There is something special about Kiera Cass and her writing. She has the ability to have me hooked at every word and desperate to get my hands on the next novel. I want to read everything she writes because of her amazing ability to woo me into the book, feel the need to keep reading it and not stopping, and on top of it all leave me wanting this universe to never end.

My only "issue" with this novel was the ending. It was, yet again, another cliff hanger! And stupid me doesn't have the next book on hand! I will be anxiously waiting for the moment I can get my hand on the next book in this series! 

Perhaps another "issue" with the novel is America's inability to choose a man. I find it very simple to pick sides, but that inability to choose a side has this novel continuing, so perhaps it is for the best she can't pick a man.

Overall, I'm obsessed. I would give it a 10 out of 5 if possible because it is an incredible novel.

Five out of five stars!

The Elite Book #2

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Highlights