[REVIEW] The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
Published: May 2014
Age Group: YA
Series: The Selection [end]

FINALLY The One's released. This is probably my most anticipated book of the year and one of the many series that are coming to an end in 2014 as well. 

The One concludes the story of America and Maxon and the revealing of the winner of the Selection: "The One"

The story picked up with the same atmosphere as the second one ended with. The rebels are attacking the palace and people are running around trying to find safety. The remaining girls each have their own personality and how they deal in dangerous situations which is very consistent of their behaviour throughout the series. I like how the story didn't waste time reintroducing characters and went right into the story line. The only downfall is that I'm sure there will be many who will find themselves very confused if they haven't read the first two because there is no re-introductions or explanations. Past events and thoughts start showing up and if you forgot what happened before it makes it really hard to continue reading the book. I found myself in that situation at first. Granted it was around 2AM when I first started the book so perhaps my brain was already taking a long time processing information but I had to pause and take some time to think through the situation before continuing. Simple things like a mention of America's stint on the Report may leave readers confused. One of the many pivotal scenes in the Elite, America's presentation at the Report is the reasoning for many of the changed character's relationships and dynamic. Without understanding what she started with that results in not understanding how the society is changing and turning into this revolutionary place.  

The story was very focused on the romance. I liked the transition of America's main goal. At the start she's still very dedicated to her goal - eliminating the castes and freeing society from the current oppressive king. But subtly throughout the story the focus shifts. No longer is America so concerned about how the people must feel but more focused on her relationship with Maxon and if she's willing to take that final plunge into finally declaring her love to him. Of course her concern for the citizens is still there but not in the forefront anymore. 

I was always rooting for Maxon but he becomes less and less admirable. I didn't like him in book 2 and that detest continues into the third book. He use to be so innocent, so endearing. But then it's like the closer we get to the end of this the more he starts to grow up and take on that ruler role and his behaviour changes. Of course there are still glimpses of the old Maxon from the Selection but they are few compared to the times he's not. 

The One was like a crescendo. It started up slow and soon the story took off, which I suspect is Kiera Cass' writing style. No complaints here. I love fast paced stories. The ending was very predictable though. Satisfying but predictable.  It was a classic happily ever after. I do question some of the author's decisions and I won't explore these in depth just because I want to make this a non-spoiler review. 

I also question whether this series should be marketed as dystopia lit or as romance. The Selection was more leaning towards the romance side whereas The Elite was very dystopia  heavy. The One though makes it very clear which side this story stands on. It's a series that borrows the dystopia landscape and platform to tell a love story. The ending and the character development has hints of dystopia in it but at the end it's a ending geared towards the romance side. 

I have a lot of unanswered questions. Mainly because certain facts or scenes are used for one purpose and that's it. It makes the story very stagnant in my opinion when there isn't any further development or reveal. I think if the story was written in a way that everything contributed to a giant surprise at the end I would appreciate them more. It's like the end to a great mystery or magic trick. Why was this person a part of this group? Why was this person there at that time saving this person and where are they now? Why would that person be involved and to what extent are their behaviours influenced by their affiliations. I'm a rather curious person and question a lot of things but I find that unanswered questions stem from incomplete stories, to say it bluntly.  

Overall The One left me content. I think this is a very good series. The finale didn't live up to it's predecessors but then again they were really really good and hard to match let alone beat.

BUY

[COVER REVEAL] The One by Kiera Cass

Apparently I missed this entirely but the cover for The One, the finale to The Selection series, was revealed at the end of September. Blasphemy I know, due apologies.
Anyway here's the cover:

the dresses on the covers of this series are absolutely gorgeous. and this one is no exception. We're expecting a wedding and this cover definitely verified that - unless someone enjoys wearing gorgeous white gowns as casual wear, then that's their choice and no judging...
This is probably my most favourite dress of the three, not sure what that says about me.

"Only 1 girl can wear the crown". Catfight to come, especially because America and Maxon are on the rocks right now. I'm definitely rooting for America, it's meant to be. But then again this is dystopia lit and most dystopia lit usually has an element of despair wrapped up into it. There's already so much that has happened in this series that I'm honestly unsure what will happen, which only adds to my desire to read this even more.

There are a lot of new books that are being released next year, in 2014, and The One is one of my absolute neeeeeds. I HAVE TO READ IT WHEN IT RELEASES.

The One by Kiera Cass releases May 6, 2014.

[REVIEW] The Selection by Kiera Cass

Published: April 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: The Selection #1

Goodreads

Cover Thoughts: I WANT HER DRESS! Please and Thank you.
Cover Blurb Thoughts: The names are a bit odd... Clearly there's going to be drama in this dystopia book, lovely.

When I first saw this I instantly wanted to read it. It's like when you see something and you become so attracted to it that you can't help being drawn to it. That's what happened. I became so infatuated with this book and I put it on my next book purchasing list. That was in it first came out. Now something happened between the publisher, author and a book blogger that left me feeling unsure about reading this and so The Selection was put to the side and didn't resurface until almost a year later.  Putting all drama aside (ironic cause the book is full of it) I really enjoyed this book.

The book has been referred to as the Hunger Games combined with the Bachelor. I don't see much of the Hunger Games reference. I think they were trying to reference dystopia and at the time the Hunger Games was probably one of the most famous YA dystopia lit out there and so somebody thought "Hey, dystopia. Hunger Games. Okay the Selection is like the Hunger Games."  I mean they have a draw but it's optional and everybody who enters wishes and hopes to be drawn, completely opposite to the reaping in the Hunger Games. Honestly it didn't seem as dystopic as other books. And I understand that with this types of dystopia lit, the emphasis is not on the dystopian world but rather the romance.  In fact when I read this, I didn't feel like I was reading dystopia lit. More like some historical fiction with class divisions, which is really what it is, just a more futuristic modern interpretation of it.

In my opinion, the most dystopia aspect of the book is the caste division.  Each person is split into a caste based on occupation. Caste advancement is hard, not impossible but rarely done, especially if you're jumping more than one caste. It's practically unheard of to go down a caste. Which is the current situation with the main character and her secret lover. She's a Five, born into a family of artists, and he's a Six, born into a family of servants. Clearly marrying him is shunned but doesn't love prevail all? I don't know, I have to keep reading the series!

The story follows America Singer and her (arguable lucky) chance at becoming the next Queen. The only catch, she has to "battle" with 34 girls through a process known as "the Selection" where the last one standing wins the prize, being Queen and marrying the "dreamy" Prince Maxon. The problem is America doesn't want to marry the Prince but rather another hot and dreamy boy named Aspen who's of a lower caste than she is.  There honestly isn't a real battle, more like cat fights and high school drama but that's what you get in The Selection. It's definitely Bachelor driven (at least they got that part right) and after reading this, I questioned my stance in not watching the Bachelor because I seriously really enjoyed this book.

I wasn't keen on the names. America? Not a fan of that name. Aspen? Not a fan of it either. I'll except Maxon, it doesn't bug me as much but that's just a personal opinion. I didn't hate the names enough to hate this book, although it's happened before.

America's life is very relatable, at least to me. She has boy problems, family issues, and then she's thrust into this life that she never really wanted but is a chance of a lifetime for her to become something more than she is. And then in the castle it seems they just do normal things. There really isn't any drastic changes that make it hard for me to put myself in her shoes, so to say. I like America's personality. You can tell she wants to do what's best for her family but she's not willing to give up what she wants. Especially later on in the story when her relationship with Maxon develops more, you can tell she's definitely conflicted between her growing love for him and her past love with Aspen. I'm applaud her for that, although sometimes I'm so frustrated at her indecisions, I still think she's strong enough to not succumb to the norm and pressure and is willing to go through all of the stress in picking the one person she really loves. And it's very nice to watch them both try to woo her.

On to the boys:
Maxon first. In some ways he's in the same situation as America.  Throughout the book he frequently mentions that he has no choice but to go through the Selection and wishes that he can marry for love and hopefully come to love one of the 35 girls. I think that's why he finds such a connection to America.
And then there's Aspen. America's secret lover.
[SPOILER ALERT] After breaking up with her Aspen does end up being drafted and because of that is now a Two instead of a Six. Now what's interesting about this is the only reason he broke up with her is because of their caste difference: at the time she was a Five and he a Six. Now America's guaranteed to be a Three and look at that, her past lover's a Two so they can live happily ever after. I think this definitely plays a new element into this love corner (love triangle is so inaccurate as I've been told). America can choose whichever guy she wants since they're both from acceptable castes. [END SPOILER]
Maxon's seems to be the more conventional type, someone who will hold back if need be, and he does. Aspen is definitely the person who is bold in his actions and will fight for what he wants, which he also does.

This is probably one of my most favourite love corner, drama series. I loved every part of the book and I would definitely suggest it. This isn't everyone's "cup of tea" shall we say so there might be some people who find this horribly written and the drama very cliche but I loved it.

4.5 - 5 cups of tea
BUY

xoxox ♥

PS: The sequel to this, The Elite, will be released April 23, 2013. Who's excited???
PPS: In case anyone was interested in who am I rooting for in this series...

Aspen had his chance. It's Maxon's turn now.