Introduction: The Elite by Kiera Cass
A few days ago, I reviewed The Selection
by Kiera Cass, and today I focus on The Elite (The Selection), the second book in the Selection series. Only six young ladies – Marlee Tames, Celeste Newsome, Kriss Ambers, Natalie Luca, Elise Whisks and America Singer – are competing for Prince Maxon’s engagement ring.
by Kiera Cass, and today I focus on He has to find a wife among these six young ladies. One of the things that I have noticed with trilogies, is that the second book in the series is often the weakest link. And so is the case with The Elite by Kiera Kass.
Have you read?
The Selection by Kiera Cass, Book Review
The One by Kiera Cass, Book Review
The Story: The Elite by Kiera Cass
In The Elite by Kiera Cass, America wants to find out about Halloween. You have to remember that the book is set in the future where life is very different from today. Prince Maxon has never heard about the celebration. So he takes her to a secret room and they look it up, and he lends her Gregory Illea’s journal to take to her room.
He makes her promise to keep it private. Prince Maxon announces that they will have a Halloween ball and the families of the Elite are invited. This is another way to eliminate some of the young ladies to get closer to the “One.”
It is discovered that Marlee, who was once a favorite, is having a secret affair with one of the guards, which is a no-no. She and the soldier are publicly whipped, stripped of their caste. Now they are number 8, the lowest caste in the kingdom.
America is incensed and tries to free her friend. She begs Prince Maxon to intervene. But he eerily remains silent. She is known for being very vocal. And as someone who knows what it is like to live an unprivileged life, she is very outspoken about injustice. America is furious with Prince Maxon because he doesn’t intervene.
What kind of person allows another to be whipped? Two guards take America to her room. Later, Prince Maxon apologizes to her. But she blames him for inaction. After explaining to her his side, she finally forgives him. But is still very upset. The King sends away the families of the Elites. So America doesn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye to her parents and sister.
As the story progresses in The Elite by Kiera Cass, Marlee is eliminated because of her “indiscretion.” As usual, Celeste is insensitive, and makes a comment about Marlee getting what she deserves. So America lunges at her and another fight starts. People pull them apart, then the Queen sends them to the hospital wing. Fortunately, they are in different sections to keep them apart.
The nurses are very happy that America hit Celeste. And they tell her about some of the really terrible abuses that others have suffered at the hands of her. Prince Maxon, visits the hospital wing, and Celeste does what she does best, which is whine to get sympathy. The Prince is upset with America. And she asks him if he will eliminate her, and he tells her no.
During her time of feeling confused, Aspen is there to comfort her, creating more doubt in her mind about Prince Maxon. The five remaining Elites are informed that they have to work in teams to plan an event for the German Federation and Italy. America and Kriss work together to plan the event for the Italians, while Natalie, Celeste, and Elise plan theirs for the Germans. Before the events take place, there is another rebel attack.
Shortly after that attack, there is another one. America is outside when it occurs, so she runs into the woods, even when Prince Maxon is telling her “no.” She sees the rebels. And they have a lot of books that they took from the palace. One of the female rebels sees her, but doesn’t harm her. Of course, it is Aspen, who finds her when she is lost in the woods.
It’s time for the events, and the event that America and Kriss plan for the Italians is a runaway success. The Italians are very impressed with America. And they start building a relationship, which prove very useful later. The day after the big event, Prince Maxon takes America to the Princess room. And she is surprised to see Marlee. The Prince hid her in the palace. The two friends talk about the competition. And America tells her that she doesn’t think she wants to become a princess. She also voices her concerns about how close Kriss and the Prince are becoming very close.
As America continues to read Gregory Illea’s journal that Prince Maxon lent her, she is stunned, confused and frustrated by what she is learning about the man.
As the selection process continues, The Elites have to learn about the role of the princess. Therefore, they have to work on a philanthropy project. America has a very difficult time coming up with a suitable project, and she is feeling very stressed.
Although she has seen a lot of hardships, she has no idea how she can solve the problems that cause them. The philanthropy project is another way to eliminate one of the remaining Elites. Prince Maxon is pressuring America to decide if she wants to become his princess or not. The reader is also getting to see that he has commitment issues as well, and playing the field with contestants, especially Kriss.
As America continues to struggle with finding a suitable project, Aspen suggests a caste exchange program, but she doesn't readily embrace the idea. She also takes time to read more of Gregory’s journal and discovers that he sold his daughter to a man she despised. As she reads more, she learns how the caste system really came into effect.
The night of the televised event, the other Elites present their projects, some of which, are very well done. When it is her turn, she appeals to the populace from the place of where she comes from, then she recommends eliminating the caste system.
America hears several gasps, but she continues with her presentation. Prince Maxon’s face displays a stony expression and the king is furious and shuts down the transmission of the event. The king is also angry with his son for giving America Gregory’s diary. He is ready to send America home, but Prince Maxon stands up to his father, something that he doesn’t do.
Natalie Luca learns that the rebels killed her younger sister. She is eliminated so she can return home to mourn. Despite many being disappointed with America for wanting the caste system eliminated, her maids are very proud of her. Prince Maxon is upset with her because he doesn’t like the way America acts in a non-diplomatic way.
The alarm sounds again to notify them that the rebels are attacking, so the prince and America have to hide in a room. She discovers that his back is bleeding and learns that the king physically abuses his son – he whips him when he thinks the Prince does not exercise sound judgment. She cleans and bandages his wounds. They talk about Kriss, and America realizes that she is losing him.
An officer finds the prince, who they thought was hurt by the rebels. America expects to be eliminated from the selection process. Aspen is happy because he thinks he can win America back, but she tells him that her heart is breaking.
When she is about to leave the palace, she sees Prince Maxon one more time, and he tells her that she will be staying, but that his father will not be treating her very well. The prince doesn’t trust her because he doesn’t believe that he can count on her.
Conclusion: The Elite by Kiera Cass
The end of The Elite
by Kiera Cass is anticlimactic, which is usually the case with the second book in trilogies. Despite this, I do recommend The Elite by Kiera Cass, and on Monday, I will publish The One by Kiera Cass, the third book.
Note from Avil: As I mentioned before, The Selection series by Kiera Cass is not actually a trilogy. The Selection, The Elite and The One, are sold as a boxed set (or individually), but The Heir follows it. In The Heir, America and Maxon’s daughter is grown up and there is another selection process to find her a prince. There are many novellas in the series that tell the story from many points of view. I think it is a bit of an overkill, but some people seem to like it.
The Selection Series Box Set: The Selection, The Elite, The One
The Elite (The Selection)
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Kiera Cass Books
The Crown (The Selection)The Selection 4-Book Box SetHappily Ever AfterThe Heir (The Selection)The SirenThe Selection StoriesThe Selection Coloring BookThe Queen: A NovellaThe Prince: A Novella
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