This review contains spoilers for the book. If you don't want spoilers then don't read this review!
Release Date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Source: Bought
Genre: Really Fluffy Dystopian
My rating:
Synopsis:
"The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And 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 realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.
From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned."
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 realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.
From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned."
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Be prepared for a FULL spoiler review of The One. If you haven’t read the books, then STOP NOW. Or if you can’t be bothered reading them or The One and, like many, just want to know who America ends up with then please continue.
I didn’t receive The One as a review copy but I’m reviewing it anyway because I reviewed/ranted about the first two and my OCD won’t let me rest until I get this one out too.
Let me be clear that I don’t like this series. I can’t believe I wasted nearly 2 years of my life on these books. Like many, I was hooked in by the gorgeous cover for The Selection. Luckily, these books are all extremely quick reads otherwise I would have just dropped the series and asked somebody who she ends up with.
Oh yeah she ends up with Maxon THANK GOD. At least Cass had America end up with the right guy. She got one thing right.
Anyway I actually enjoyed The Selection way back when, you can find my review here. It was a quick read, very light and fluffy and not at all like a dystopian. That’s where it all went downhill because The Elite was a travesty. One of the most horrible books I’ve ever read, you can see my raging review here.
The One isn’t much better. America has practically no character growth. She’s always impulsive, can’t keep her mouth shut and crosses that line between bravery and stupidity. Near the middle she realises that she’s a potential princess and can boss people around… that was the extent of her character growth. What I really, really hated was her constant inner battle between Aspen or Maxon. THREE BOOKS. THREE BOOKS THIS HAS GONE ON FOR AND SHE COULDN’T MAKE UP HER DARN MIND.
Basically, her thought processes ran something similar to this:
“Oh Maxon is giving the other girls attention, I am so jealous, I really do like him”
“Aspen is here ohmygod he’s so hot I love him”
“Maxon is so sweet and I want him to kiss me”
“But Aspen might be looking what do I do?”
Seriously, the whole book.
The series also never got deep enough for me to take the political stuff seriously. Everything was all on the surface, even when rebels were introduced as a real threat. It happened in a rush; the Northern rebels apparently want to help the monarchy while the Southern rebels apparently just want power and are the real threat. Southern rebels come in and shoot everybody, Northern rebels save the day because, woah with just TWO short talks with Maxon and America, both parties are suddenly chummy and on-board with each other! America even runs to hug the Northern rebel female leader. Jesus Christ you could see the rainbows come out and flowers spring up in all the friendliness.
By the end the only thing that’s achieved is the removal of the caste system. Because really, what else could have fit when there really was no depth to the story? And even then, there is only talk of this… It doesn’t actually happen. Have no idea how Maxon is going to achieve this.
Oh and the ending was just so bloody convenient. Of course the king and queen get killed off so that Maxon can ascend to the throne and bring on his little revolution. Pfft yeah… Story ends with America walking down the aisle AND WE DON’T EVEN GET AN EPILOGUE. What happened to Aspen you ask? He ended up with Lucy because apparently they fell in love (so convenient) but I mean I guess that’s plausible because she was always such a damsel-in-distress.
How did this book get 3 stars again? I don’t know. It’s more a 2.5 but I liked the ending because Maxon is SO SWEET. He writes these beautiful letters to America when she isn’t present and I’ll admit my heart did race reading them. Maybe I gave this 3 because I also adore that cover. Meh.
It’s finally over.
Be prepared for a FULL spoiler review of The One. If you haven’t read the books, then STOP NOW. Or if you can’t be bothered reading them or The One and, like many, just want to know who America ends up with then please continue.
I didn’t receive The One as a review copy but I’m reviewing it anyway because I reviewed/ranted about the first two and my OCD won’t let me rest until I get this one out too.
Let me be clear that I don’t like this series. I can’t believe I wasted nearly 2 years of my life on these books. Like many, I was hooked in by the gorgeous cover for The Selection. Luckily, these books are all extremely quick reads otherwise I would have just dropped the series and asked somebody who she ends up with.
Oh yeah she ends up with Maxon THANK GOD. At least Cass had America end up with the right guy. She got one thing right.
Anyway I actually enjoyed The Selection way back when, you can find my review here. It was a quick read, very light and fluffy and not at all like a dystopian. That’s where it all went downhill because The Elite was a travesty. One of the most horrible books I’ve ever read, you can see my raging review here.
The One isn’t much better. America has practically no character growth. She’s always impulsive, can’t keep her mouth shut and crosses that line between bravery and stupidity. Near the middle she realises that she’s a potential princess and can boss people around… that was the extent of her character growth. What I really, really hated was her constant inner battle between Aspen or Maxon. THREE BOOKS. THREE BOOKS THIS HAS GONE ON FOR AND SHE COULDN’T MAKE UP HER DARN MIND.
Basically, her thought processes ran something similar to this:
“Oh Maxon is giving the other girls attention, I am so jealous, I really do like him”
“Aspen is here ohmygod he’s so hot I love him”
“Maxon is so sweet and I want him to kiss me”
“But Aspen might be looking what do I do?”
Seriously, the whole book.
The series also never got deep enough for me to take the political stuff seriously. Everything was all on the surface, even when rebels were introduced as a real threat. It happened in a rush; the Northern rebels apparently want to help the monarchy while the Southern rebels apparently just want power and are the real threat. Southern rebels come in and shoot everybody, Northern rebels save the day because, woah with just TWO short talks with Maxon and America, both parties are suddenly chummy and on-board with each other! America even runs to hug the Northern rebel female leader. Jesus Christ you could see the rainbows come out and flowers spring up in all the friendliness.
By the end the only thing that’s achieved is the removal of the caste system. Because really, what else could have fit when there really was no depth to the story? And even then, there is only talk of this… It doesn’t actually happen. Have no idea how Maxon is going to achieve this.
Oh and the ending was just so bloody convenient. Of course the king and queen get killed off so that Maxon can ascend to the throne and bring on his little revolution. Pfft yeah… Story ends with America walking down the aisle AND WE DON’T EVEN GET AN EPILOGUE. What happened to Aspen you ask? He ended up with Lucy because apparently they fell in love (so convenient) but I mean I guess that’s plausible because she was always such a damsel-in-distress.
How did this book get 3 stars again? I don’t know. It’s more a 2.5 but I liked the ending because Maxon is SO SWEET. He writes these beautiful letters to America when she isn’t present and I’ll admit my heart did race reading them. Maybe I gave this 3 because I also adore that cover. Meh.
It’s finally over.
*sighs* I was never into this series much to begin with, and I think this review was probably 100x more entertaining to read than the actual book itself. And ugh...America's thought process. Just. Stop. NOW. Girl, get your priorities straight! I'm not sure I'd be able to handle 300+ pages of that, so I think I'm just going to skip this one and resort to your review if needed. As for the convent ending and the rushed world-building, those are two pet-peeves of mine, so I have a feeling Cass won't be getting any bonus points from me in that department either!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing though Jaz! I appreciate you taking the time to explain your thoughts even if the book wasn't quite what you wanted. And, as always, FABULOUS review! ❤
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
I really wanted to like this series. Every time a book came out I had hope that America would grow, that the plot would improve, but alas :(
DeleteI barely handled The Elite lol, nearly threw it at a wall.
Your comments are always so lovely Zoe thank you!
Okay - I actually didn't mind this one but then again I'm a hardcore watcher of The Bachelor and the angst and annoyingness was all in tune with that.
ReplyDeleteI think I missed the moment when America finally decided Maxon was the one for her. The letters were GREAT! I'm a sucker for love letters and thought these were beautiful.
Your review may be snarky but loved reading it :)
Kate @ Fictional Thoughts
Ah I've never watched The Bachelor. I've seen some snippets on YouTube and the bitchiness coupled with some of the contestants' ditziness just makes me cringe.
DeleteLol there was this moment when she was like "yup it's Maxon, I love him, I need to tell him now" and I was like wait what you finally decided and just that like? It was a weirdddd moment let me tell you.
Those letters were the best part of the book!
I'm glad you enjoyed the review lol, I actually enjoyed writing it.
I think most people have a love/hate relationship with this one! It's like not that good of a book in general but well, it's so entertaining for me! Like Kate, I loved The Bachelor so I find that annoyingness funny. I just think "ha, you're so stupid" LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely addictive I'll say that much.
DeleteLove the sassy review. I actually enjoyed the series as a guilty pleasure. Book one really sucked me in, but the promise of a rebellion took a backseat to the bachelor style storyline. I wanted more of the world OUTSIDE the palace. At the introduction of the Northern Rebels I was excited and thought that I was finally getting more, but sadly no.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Maxon, and it's one of the reasons I continued the series. But he let me down. This was the book where he should have grown a pair *sigh*
Thanks :D this was a guilty pleasure for me too. I don't think I'd like the show the Bachelor based on everyone's comments lol. There just wasn't enough world-building for me - too fluffy and dressy.
DeleteI actually really liked Maxon in this! So sweet :3
Thanks - I've got a boatload of homework and you've saved me a ton of time. Yeah, I read the last page but your review filled in the details of the political side for me. I so, so appreciate reviews that are spoilers when I'm not so invested in a series as to actually read the mediocre finale!
ReplyDeleteHa sorry for the extremely delayed reply, I just saw this. Glad it saved you time :D and yes I just need a spoilery review sometimes when I don't care about the book.
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ReplyDeleteLOVED this review. Thx for saving me time in reading this drivel.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked this book, while America might have been impulsive, those impulses added to the book. So all of the people that are reading this review and not reading the book should keep in mind that this is an opinion. There are a lot of opinions on this book, a lot of love its. So instead of basing your opinion off of someone else's, you should read the book for yourself and develop your own opinion. To be honest, for me this book was the perfect book to end the selection trilogy.
ReplyDelete