Title: The One
Author: Kiera Cass
ISBN: 9780062059994
Publisher: Harper Teen
Released: May 06, 2014
Series: The Selection #3
Page #: 323
Source: Checked out from my public library
Summary:
"The time has come for one winner to be crowned.
When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown - or Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, 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."
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First Lines:
"This time we were in the Great Room enduring another etiquette lesson when bricks came flying through the window. Elise immediately hit the ground and started crawling for the side door, whimpering as she went."
Page 1
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Review:
**This review is going to have spoilers from books 1&2... it's pretty much unavoidable. So go read those first! And really, what are you reading this review for if you haven't yet?!?**
This final book in the series absolutely lives up to the excellence I have grown to expect from Kiera Cass. So many twists and turns that it basically gave me whiplash. But in the best possible way.
So, America has made it to the final four girls in the Selection competition. It's amazing, but it seems like she might actually have a shot at winning this thing. The girls have finally become closer, but the king isn't overly happy with how they are behaving. And the uprising from the rebel groups has everyone on edge and worried about their safety. Not to mention the emotional roller coaster that is America's life. It's an epic conclusion to a wonderful series!
I wish there was a good way to describe this series to people who haven't read it yet. I often say it's like the Bachelor but set in the future when there are castes and royal families. It just doesn't do the story justice - and probably puts off people who aren't fans of the Bachelor (like myself). So we need to work on that, world. I think more people need to get as entranced as I am with it - I may have already converted a few people :).
One of the main themes of this last book is the rebels and the crazy things happening with the citizens of Illea. America starts to realize that she's making connections with important people and how she can help change the entire society. It's really uplifting and you can tell she's gaining confidence in herself and her relationship with Maxon. I love how she emerges as a strong woman through all of her insecurities.
In previous books, I feel like many of the relationships that are formed are tenuous and calculated. It's nice to see actual friendships develop that aren't quite so surface-focused. Those friendships are what really give this book a sweet, loving feeling. The competition is drawing to a close. The girls are getting close and understanding each other. America has become even more close with the people who serve her. There's just an overall feeling of calm and sweetness that hasn't been there in the last books.
Now, I say there was calm... I'm going to tell you that Kiera Cass tries to give you a heart attack in the last 30 pages. Like, dead. It almost worked. There is a ton of action and things start spiraling ... it's so intense! I know I can't say much more than that. But I did have at least six separate "OH NO!!!!" moments. So take that for what it's worth.
Seriously, if you haven't been reading The Selection series, I highly recommend you do so. The series is done now and there is an amazing conclusion. I'm definitely excited to see what this author has in store next.
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Other Blog Reviews:
The YA Bookworm Blogger
The Indigo Quill
The Cozy Reader
A Sunny Spot
Writer of Wrongs
Beauty and the Books
Seeing Double in Neverland
The Readiacs
Queen Ella Bee Reads
My Crazy Bookish World
