Rating: 6 out of 10 (check rating scale for more info)
Summary: American Singer has just received a notice stating that the prince of Illéa, Maxon Schreave, will be holding the Selection, a competition for the prince's hand and a crown. Despite pressure from her mother and sister, May, America has no interest in entering the competition, because she already has Aspen, her secret boyfriend. America decides to have a surprise dinner at the tree house with Aspen. Instead of being happy however, Aspen is upset because he believes he should be the one to provide for her, but is unable to because he is a Six and has no means of providing for her since he already has to take care of his mother and siblings. In the end, Aspen breaks up with America. Aspen's begging America to take up the opportunity at a better life, plus a bribe from her mother, leads America to entering the Selection and later into the palace where she has to compete with 34 other girls to win the prince's heart. America quickly makes friends, such as Marlee Tames and enemies, such as Celeste Newsome within the first week of her stay, but her unique personality catches the attention of the palace staff and the country. However, she still does not want to marry Prince Maxon, but a chance meeting in the gardens causes them to befriend each other. America still loves Aspen, but she starts to fall in love with the prince who is nothing like what she imagined. It doesn't help that Maxon gives America her first kiss, and she begins to think that she could maybe marry him and forget Aspen. It also doesn't help that rebels constantly attack the palace, which helps turn away the weak-hearted competitors, but also makes things tense, especially when the rebels seem to be getting closer. Things also become tense in the competition when America starts to feel jealous of Maxon spending time with the other Selected. America eventually sees Aspen again when he enters the palace as a new member of the guard. He was drafted into the palaces defences where he earned top honors. Aspen's appearance confuses America's feelings even more and she begins to feel like she is still in love with him when he sneaks into her room to see her. Having any kind of romantic relationship with someone other than the prince during the competition is considered treason, and the punishment for treason can be as severe as death. Despite knowing the consequence, America can't help but be with Aspen. After another attack from the rebels that leads to three of the Selected leaving, Prince Maxon decides that he will narrow down the girls to six instead of ten therefore forming the Elite, which is the next stage of the competition for Prince Maxon's heart. When America's name ends up amongst the six chosen to stay, she is surprised how relieved she feels and realizes that she does have feelings for Maxon and could see herself happy with him. With this in mind, she tells Aspen that she cannot continue their romantic liaisons. Instead of getting discouraged, Aspen claims that he will fight even harder to win her love again over Maxon. The book ends with America finally realizing that she is exactly where she ought to be — among The Elite. However America still does not reject Aspen completely fearing being sent home and not having anyone to go back to.
Review: This was an interesting book. It was not solely about finding love. It was also about oppression, war, and friendship. There were dynamics in this book. I loved how fiery America is. I love bad-ass female characters. I hate how some books are always about girls needing to be saved. Hell no, give bad-ass girls who will take down people.
Summary: American Singer has just received a notice stating that the prince of Illéa, Maxon Schreave, will be holding the Selection, a competition for the prince's hand and a crown. Despite pressure from her mother and sister, May, America has no interest in entering the competition, because she already has Aspen, her secret boyfriend. America decides to have a surprise dinner at the tree house with Aspen. Instead of being happy however, Aspen is upset because he believes he should be the one to provide for her, but is unable to because he is a Six and has no means of providing for her since he already has to take care of his mother and siblings. In the end, Aspen breaks up with America. Aspen's begging America to take up the opportunity at a better life, plus a bribe from her mother, leads America to entering the Selection and later into the palace where she has to compete with 34 other girls to win the prince's heart. America quickly makes friends, such as Marlee Tames and enemies, such as Celeste Newsome within the first week of her stay, but her unique personality catches the attention of the palace staff and the country. However, she still does not want to marry Prince Maxon, but a chance meeting in the gardens causes them to befriend each other. America still loves Aspen, but she starts to fall in love with the prince who is nothing like what she imagined. It doesn't help that Maxon gives America her first kiss, and she begins to think that she could maybe marry him and forget Aspen. It also doesn't help that rebels constantly attack the palace, which helps turn away the weak-hearted competitors, but also makes things tense, especially when the rebels seem to be getting closer. Things also become tense in the competition when America starts to feel jealous of Maxon spending time with the other Selected. America eventually sees Aspen again when he enters the palace as a new member of the guard. He was drafted into the palaces defences where he earned top honors. Aspen's appearance confuses America's feelings even more and she begins to feel like she is still in love with him when he sneaks into her room to see her. Having any kind of romantic relationship with someone other than the prince during the competition is considered treason, and the punishment for treason can be as severe as death. Despite knowing the consequence, America can't help but be with Aspen. After another attack from the rebels that leads to three of the Selected leaving, Prince Maxon decides that he will narrow down the girls to six instead of ten therefore forming the Elite, which is the next stage of the competition for Prince Maxon's heart. When America's name ends up amongst the six chosen to stay, she is surprised how relieved she feels and realizes that she does have feelings for Maxon and could see herself happy with him. With this in mind, she tells Aspen that she cannot continue their romantic liaisons. Instead of getting discouraged, Aspen claims that he will fight even harder to win her love again over Maxon. The book ends with America finally realizing that she is exactly where she ought to be — among The Elite. However America still does not reject Aspen completely fearing being sent home and not having anyone to go back to.
Review: This was an interesting book. It was not solely about finding love. It was also about oppression, war, and friendship. There were dynamics in this book. I loved how fiery America is. I love bad-ass female characters. I hate how some books are always about girls needing to be saved. Hell no, give bad-ass girls who will take down people.