★★彡
Summary:
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.
Summary:
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.
Let's start with the obvious: those covers are to die for. They beg you to pick the book up and stare, give it a quick hug, then spend twenty dollars on it if only to just have it on your bedside table. From the dresses to the backgrounds, the entire trilogy's covers are absolutely stunning. They are also definitely the reason why I started the series in the first place, and perhaps also part of the reason I kept reading them.
Don't get me wrong, I did not hate the books. Not even awe-inducing covers can make me read something I hate, but whereas the covers are brilliant, the books are nothing but ordinary.
Like I have said many times before, this is primarily a romance novel. America spends almost the entirety of the book thinking about the two loves of her life, who she is going to pick, and all things related to love and its consequences. If you were hoping America would somehow become a fighter, you must know that she does not. She spends the two times that her life is put on danger hiding from it.
Still, she somehow manages to become (in a way) the face of the revolution. I might be stretching the truth there a bit, but that is basically what America is. She voices her beliefs without caring what the consequences might be, stirring people up, getting them ready for a change that they have all secretly wanted for years. A change that does actually begin to happen at the end. A change we are told she is the sole inspiration of, which will somehow save the kingdom and make everyone happy.
I still believe the biggest problem with this series is that it should have been one book instead of a trilogy. We don't need three books of America deciding between two guys, but that is what you get out of these books. There's some action here and there, but it is not nearly as important as her thoughts on her romantic interests. I wish there had been more world-building, more action, and less romantic stuff.
I did not like the ending. It's bland, a cop-out. Every character that could possibly go against America and her cause are killed on (or disappear after) a surprising (which could not have been more expected) turn of events. This also solves the problem caused by that relationship-breaking fight between the two MC, both of whom seem entirely too calm and relaxed after what should have been a terrifying and traumatizing experience.
I am glad that Cass picked the person I wanted to end with America and matched the one she did not choose with who I wanted him to be with. Sorry, I know that is a bit confusing, but I don't want to spoil it for you.
I admit I went to the last page to find out who America is with when I was only about 30% into the book, but my skimming was unsuccessful. I was looking for one of the names while trying not to read anything else, but both Aspen and Maxon are mentioned within the last few pages. Well played, Cass. Well played.
I was pleasantly surprised by the bonding between the Elite. I was not really expecting it given that they were in terrible terms, but it happens, and I like it. I even started to like Cesleste (shocker!).
The book was not a disappointment, but I had low expectations from the beginning. It is an OK ending to an OK series. Nothing more and nothing less. Nothing surprised me, nothing made me laugh. The One, like its predecessors, is missing something important to make my heart twist for the story. It is as lackluster as the first two.
Don't get me wrong, I did not hate the books. Not even awe-inducing covers can make me read something I hate, but whereas the covers are brilliant, the books are nothing but ordinary.
Like I have said many times before, this is primarily a romance novel. America spends almost the entirety of the book thinking about the two loves of her life, who she is going to pick, and all things related to love and its consequences. If you were hoping America would somehow become a fighter, you must know that she does not. She spends the two times that her life is put on danger hiding from it.
Still, she somehow manages to become (in a way) the face of the revolution. I might be stretching the truth there a bit, but that is basically what America is. She voices her beliefs without caring what the consequences might be, stirring people up, getting them ready for a change that they have all secretly wanted for years. A change that does actually begin to happen at the end. A change we are told she is the sole inspiration of, which will somehow save the kingdom and make everyone happy.
I still believe the biggest problem with this series is that it should have been one book instead of a trilogy. We don't need three books of America deciding between two guys, but that is what you get out of these books. There's some action here and there, but it is not nearly as important as her thoughts on her romantic interests. I wish there had been more world-building, more action, and less romantic stuff.
I did not like the ending. It's bland, a cop-out. Every character that could possibly go against America and her cause are killed on (or disappear after) a surprising (which could not have been more expected) turn of events. This also solves the problem caused by that relationship-breaking fight between the two MC, both of whom seem entirely too calm and relaxed after what should have been a terrifying and traumatizing experience.
I am glad that Cass picked the person I wanted to end with America and matched the one she did not choose with who I wanted him to be with. Sorry, I know that is a bit confusing, but I don't want to spoil it for you.
I admit I went to the last page to find out who America is with when I was only about 30% into the book, but my skimming was unsuccessful. I was looking for one of the names while trying not to read anything else, but both Aspen and Maxon are mentioned within the last few pages. Well played, Cass. Well played.
I was pleasantly surprised by the bonding between the Elite. I was not really expecting it given that they were in terrible terms, but it happens, and I like it. I even started to like Cesleste (shocker!).
The book was not a disappointment, but I had low expectations from the beginning. It is an OK ending to an OK series. Nothing more and nothing less. Nothing surprised me, nothing made me laugh. The One, like its predecessors, is missing something important to make my heart twist for the story. It is as lackluster as the first two.