The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass

Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: The Selection, Book 3
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Read my review of The Selection HERE

Read my review of The Elite HERE

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.

**WARNING: Do NOT read this if you haven’t read The Selection or The Elite. Some spoilers (and fangirling) ahead.**

Guys– I think my heart just broke in to a million pieces.
What? 
The series ended horribly, you ask?
Nope. 
It was perfect.

My heart has just broken into a million pieces because one of my series has come to a close.

I’ve been wanting to read The One for a very, VERY long time now. Roughly a year-long wait, which I know is not that long compared to some other people, but it’s killed me since I started The Selection, because the suspense could not be held out fore me any longer. The day my exams ended, I headed to the bookstore and bought this book. Initially they were out of stock, but then, this amazing girl who works there found a copy and handed me this book, this absolutely heartbreaking book, to me. I got home and immediately dove into it, no hesitations, only some awe-struck ogling at the gorgeous cover. 
And I didn’t stop until I’d read the last page.

After that I got up, walked around in a daze, fingers shaking because I had just finished this amazing series, and I knew they would not stop until I’d written this review.

So. Here we go.

I don’t think I’ve ever internally bawled at something so hard and so much. This was like The-Fault-in-Our-FREAKING-Stars-worthy bawling. I tend not to cry for books so yeah, it’s pretty major when I say that I freaking died when I read this book. A perfect end to a perfect series. 

I love how the stakes are so much higher in this book, and because of this, everything is so much more intense. America's conflict with herself, with her feelings for the two boys she loves, with the King, and with the system: Kiera Cass is truly a master story-teller because the way in which she crafts words really conveys the raw emotions of characters as well as the fantastic plot that has gone on for three books.
I also liked that the world building developed much more with this book, and that the story of the rebellion comes to light and we see more of this side, compared to just the competition as it’s been with the previous two books – well, more The Selection than The Elite. Getting to know more about the Northerners, bringing along some surprising twists as well, just made this story a lot more richer.

America Singer, my favourite literary red-head. Her character is definitely more challenged in this book, as we find in the previous book that King Clarkson isn’t all that he seems to be. I love her determination and fierce confidence that she approaches everything with. I think we all yell out a little cheer whenever she defies Illéa’s caste system and rules!
If you’ve read my previous reviews about the series, then you’ll know who I’m rooting for. Maxon and Aspen are both amazing guys, but ultimately it’s time for America to choose her one. I don’t want to give too much away, but the ending works out well for (almost) everyone, so there’s really a definite outcome. I’m sad to see it end though– this is one of the best written love triangles I have ever seen in YA. It’s made it a challenge to pick one side in all of this, but of course, everything must come to an end.

I have a major hangover from this book, because now, just after I’ve finished the series, I wish that I could pick up The Selection and start all over again. The One is the crème de la crème, an absolutely flawless finale to the series that will bring tears, smiles and many, MANY swoons. While it’s painful to say goodbye to characters I’ve come to love and a world I’ve envisioned and brought to life in my mind, this bittersweet ending is everything I could have hoped for and more. Kiera Cass’ books are truly glittering gems worthy of any crown...or tiara!

If you like this, try...

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo ● Goodreads
• The Iron King by Julie Kagawa ● Goodreads
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer ● Goodreads
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi ● Goodreads

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 90

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight on upcoming books which I'm DYING to get my hands on.
Oh my gosh, can you believe it's already my 90th WoW post?? I would have actually been able to reach this if I'd done this for every Wednesday of blogging, but oh well. Super close to 100, EEP!

This week's WoW is:

The One by Kiera Cass

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.

May 6, 2014 ● Goodreads

I'm honestly freaking out this moment typing up the post. I don't think I've ever wanted a book so badly. If you didn't know, I'm a HUGEHUGEHUGE fan of The Selection series and when I found out that the cover had been released I flipped out BIG TIME. It's even more beautiful than I imagined! Honestly, if you haven't read these books, um, GO READ THEM NOW.

What are you waiting on?

The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: The Selection, Book 2
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Read my review of The Selection HERE.

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

If you've read my review of The Selection, you'll know how in love I am with this series. Kiera Cass has reduced me to becoming absolutely OBSESSED with this series– which I am glad for.
After I'd read the first book, I wasn't sure of my standing. I didn't know whether to go with Team Maxon, whom I was leaning towards the whole time, or Team Aspen, who I just couldn't let go of. Going into this book was super frustrating. I think it was generally the lack of romance in The Elite. The Selection had a LOT of it (which I was glad for) but this one tamed it down a little, so it was confusing and frustrating, and made me want to tear my hair out with every encounter with Maxon. I have now fully pledged myself to the "Maxon Fan Club" and am a strong supporter. Team Maxon for the win!

I really love how America's character has grown. She's definitely headstrong, and actually has morals (compared to Celeste *shudders*). I loved her fierce determination and her beliefs in what's right. There's a lot in this book that tests America's strength and I'm glad she gets through most of it with a face of confidence.
A lot of this book is more about the rebellion that popped up every now and then in the first book, and so there was a lot more information as to how the Selection actually came to be and more about the political tensions and ties that Illéa has with other parts of the country and the world. Also pretty interesting to see the geography of this dystopian world, with places such as New Asia coming up. While I liked that there was a lot more of this background information, I felt that this took a toll on the romance and chemistry between Maxon and America or Aspen and America, BUT it was all a worthwhile cause because it's generating a lot more anticipation for me (and I'm sure fans of this series all over) for the final novel in this series.

Speaking of which... that ENDING. Oh my gosh. Definitely had me fanning myself and clutching my pearls (pshh as if I own any). I am so much more pumped up for The One because there are so many possibilities for the ending... and the cover. I've been reading what people are guessing will happen, but I have no idea. Except that I'm sure it will be as spectacular as the rest of the series and will conclude magnificently.
A lot of character changes happen in this book as well. You do get to know the other girls a lot better because the competition has narrowed down to 6 in this book. It's not very pretty sometimes, as things can get quite ugly. We also find ourselves learning more about the King and the Queen in midst of all of this and... I'm going to say much except that it's quite surprising. I'll leave it at that.

❝Usually when we were alone together, I could block out the other girls. But tonight I thought about the possibility of someone else in my place. Just imagining it: someone else in Maxon's arms, making him laugh, marrying him... It broke my heart.❞

–p. 38

•••ATTENTION. I'm sorry to announce that the reviewer has fainted due to the sheer "swoonosity" in this book.•••

*SWOON*

Whether you love dystopians, romance, action, politics, princesses, love triangles, rebellion– you have to read this book. Kiera Cass has created this brilliant, engrossing follow-up to a fantastic debut which I'm sure readers will fall in love with as much as I did. The Elite was possibly one of the best second-in-a-series books I've ever read, and has left me desperately clawing for more: The One.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Sarah from HarperCollins for sending me a copy for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer ● Goodreads
• Matched by Ally Condie ● Goodreads

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: The Selection, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

First off, can we take a small moment to appreciate the sheer gorgeousness of this cover? I mean, when this first arrived that's all I did: stare at the cover. The dress, the hues of blue– certainly made me spend ages just looking over it!

Hands down, one of the best dystopians I've ever read. There's a certain Hunger Games-iness to this book, because it had me flipping pages from start to finish. I read it on the bus to school, I read it on the bus ride home. I read it on the bus ride on our geography field trip, I read it when I was supposed to be working on a case study. That's shows you how into this book I was. How enrapturing it was, and how I simply just couldn't let it go for days on end.
As a new rule (inspired by Laura Lascarso's from my interview with her), I tend to not read a series until all the books have come out. Yes, that means I haven't read Divergent, and a bunch of other hot-right-now series. BUT that does mean when the last book finally comes out, there's no waiting. However, totally broke the rule with this one. When I was asked if I wanted to review this one along with The Elite, I was all HECK YEAH. Totally worth the rule breaking!

❝I looked radiant, hopeful, beautiful. I looked like I was in love. And some idiot thought that love was for Prince Maxon.
Mom screamed in my ear, and May jumped up, sending popcorn everywhere. Gerad got excited too and started dancing. Dad... it's hard to say, but I think he was secretly smiling behind his book.
I missed what Maxon's expression was.
The phone rang.
And it didn't stop for days.❞

–p. 56

Seriously, capturing the whole idea of a beauty pageant for the next queen in a dystopian society? Really original. Yes, it completely follows the dystopian archetypes– rebels against the ruling power, a society divided up into factions, something happening years before which caused this new-founded government to form– we've definitely seen this trend across YA literature and beyond. However, I liked how the focus wasn't completely on that in this book, and more on the actual Selection, with snippets of each of the components of the above to add to the plot, and it totally worked.
If you don't know me, let me tell you something: I'm all about YA romance in a book. I'm sorry, but if there isn't any romance (not even a little hint) I will not enjoy the story, unless it's been superbly written. That's just the sad fact of my adolescent life. But this was the main reason why I was so enamoured with The Selection for the fact that it was romance, romance, romance, and there was me just gleefully eating it all up.

Speaking of romance, there's only once in a blue moon where there comes a love triangle that makes it a tough decision for me to choose. An example of this would be The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, because for the first two books I was agonising over whether to be on Team Puck or Team Ash. Of course, eventually I managed to pick a side, and that's because the story tended to work in that particular guy's favour. However, this book was like a constant conflict between Aspen and Maxon for me. I obviously made my choice during this book, but I know for sure that it's going to change during The Elite.
Prince Maxon was the guy I was leaning more towards. I loved his charm, his wish to be normal, and how much he enjoys America's humour. I don't know– I think it might be the inner princess in me that's rooting for Maxon, but I loved their relationship throughout the book.
Aspen provided to be a tough competitor in this game of love. Looking through America's eyes, I can see the love she truly has for him, and how he makes her happy. Plus, he's gorgeous. Both of them are, but Aspen seriously seems to have some killer looks apparently. This is seriously one that's going to have me flipping back and forth between teams until the final book comes out...

America was a great character. Loved her humour, her easy-going manner, and her refusal to stick to the formal rules. Kind of reminds me of Katniss in some ways– minus the fast-paced action, of course.
I found all the other girls in the Selection to be amazing characters as well, whether I loved to love them, or loved to hate them! Of course we come across a wide variety of characters in this book and it's interesting to see the stock character types, and how they fare during this game.

Clearly, just by looking at the size of this review, you can tell that I'm completely sold on this book. Kiera Cass has my eyes glued to the pages of this magnificent first in a series, and clearly, I can't wait to get into The Elite! Terrific, spectacular, and breathtaking, truly a book not to miss.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Sarah at Harper Collins for sending me a copy for review! ▪ ▪ ▪

If you like this, try...

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ● Goodreads
• The Pledge by Kimberly Derting ● Goodreads

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 39

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on :D

This week's WoW is:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Goodreads

Release Date: April 24, 2012

First off, I just HAVE to say this: that dress is so effing gorgeous. Secondly, I completely second that by saying that the cover is freakin' gorgeous. And therefore, I'm going to completely freak out the moment I get this book. Done and done.

What are you waiting on?