The One (Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

Okay, so let me start this off by saying that I read this book in about a day. One. Single. Day.  I have been waiting so long for this book to come out and I was so excited when it did! I had pre-ordered it months in advance (much to the dismay of my boyfriend who thought I was crazy.. sorry not sorry), and was so excited when I got the email from Barnes & Noble that it had shipped.  Not only did I pre-order the book, but I pre-ordered a copy that Kiera Cass had signed herself.  How awesome is that? I was so excited!

Anyways, onto what I actually thought of the book itself.. If you have not read the first two books, I would highly recommend you do that first! You can read what I have to say on the first two here.

Of course, I'm going to start off with, I was SOOOO happy that they did finally end up together.  I really liked that Kiera Cass took her time getting them fully together and then threw in a little rift between Maxon and America at the very end to get you to think, dang maybe they won't end up together? I really enjoyed how she even made me like Celeste and feel bad when (SPOILER) she gets killed in the end. Another thing that I liked about the book was that America stayed true to her roots until the very end.  She fought for Aspen as a friend, and she stayed humble throughout the whole experience, not letting it change her for the worse.

Even though, overall I was happy with the ending, I feel that Ms. Cass could have done a little more with the rebel piece. The Southern rebels are mentioned, and attack the palace a few times, but they never really come into play after two appearances.  The Northern Rebels are the only ones that we grow to know and it's only their explanation of the Southern rebels that we get.  I really enjoyed that Maxon and American were sneaking around trying to help the Northern Rebels and change the way that the country is run.  I also liked that we got to know more about Maxon and the way he worked, but the book wrapped up a little too quickly.   Overall, it's a great, quick read and I really enjoyed it! It's not your typical fairy tale story about a girl coming into the royal family and falling in love with a prince, it runs deeper than that.

In case you get confused on who all of the Selected girls are, Kiera Cass has included a list on her website! Find it here. She has also announced a new novella called "The Queen" which will take us back to Queen Amberley's selection time. Read about it on Ms. Cass's website here.

Want to own it? Here it is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

(Copyright, Kiera Cass 2014)

Quick Review:
Title: The One (Selection Book 3)
Author: Kiera Cass
Pages: 217 (ebook)
Recommended for: Young adult girls

The Selection by Kiera Cass

            The first book that I have decided to talk about is The Selection by Kiera Cass.  I read this book a little while ago and it was fantastic. It's set in future United States after China has tried to take over and failed. The public is divided into Castes, with the wealthiest people deemed as "Ones" and the poorest people "eights." There is a King and Queen and the Selection is set up to find the future Princess of the kingdom.  It gives thirty-five girls the chance of a lifetime. They are given the opportunity to enter the world of glittering gowns and sparkly jewels to fight for the heart of the handsome Prince Maxon. Okay so I know what you're thinking, this sounds so much like the Bachelor. Well, it is kinda. But with much higher stakes. The rules are much stricter for the girls and they are forced into "Princess training" for when one of them is chosen. Enter America Singer, the protagonist of the story. She does not want to be swept up into this fancy world. America has already decided to spend the rest of her life with Aspen, but their love is secret because he is a whole caste below her.  She is picked in the Selection (surprise!) and is forced  to compete for a crown she doesn't really want. Of course, like any book she goes into the competition hating the Prince and then gradually finds out he may not be all bad. But does she want to give up the future she's been imagining with Aspen? Dun dun dun... What happens next? 

Copyright © 2012, Kiera Cass.

Well.. you have to read it to find out! It's a quick read, meant for young adults. The hardcover edition is only 327 pages, which is nothing. A very quick read and definitely worth it! 

Want to get it? Here it is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Quick Review:
Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Pages: 327 (hardcover)
Recommended for: Young adult girls