The Elite

The Selection, Book 2

By: Kiera Cass

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

The second book in Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series

With even more glamour, intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance, this sparkling sequel to The Selection will captivate readers who loved Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Lauren Oliver’s Delirium, or Renée Ahdieh’s The Wrath & the Dawn.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection, and to win Prince Maxon’s heart. Now six girls remain, and the competition is fiercer than ever—but America Singer is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it Prince Maxon—and life as the queen—that she wants? Or is it still Aspen, her first love?

Don’t miss The Betrothed, a glittering royal romance sure to captivate Kiera Cass’s legion of loyal readers and lovers of courtly intrigue alike!

I confess -- I really like this series!

STORY - My husband and friends would probably tease me for listening to this book. The characters are teenaged girls, and the story is a combination of the TV show The Bachelor and the Cinderella fairy tale -- girls competing for a prince. It's chick lit all the way!

In this second book, The Selection has now become "The Elite," with only six competitors left from the larger original number. There are rivalries between the girls, as you might imagine. The main character, America, is not sure she's over the relationship with her old BF, who is now a guard at the palace where the competition is taking place. So there's a love triangle going on during the competition, plus the kingdom is experiencing political unrest and is under attack.

It may be teenaged chick lit, but there's a lot that's going on in the story that I find totally enjoyable. It's a light, easy listen, with lots of young, innocent romance thrown in. I might be stupid at my age for enjoying this series, but I do. I can't wait for the third and final book to come out to see how everything ends up. (These books must be listened to in order, as each one leads into the next).

NARRATION - The reader has an unusual way of reading which I can't quite describe. It sort of bothered me for maybe an hour into the first book, but after that I thought she was perfect for the rest of that book and this one as well.

OVERALL - For females about 15 and up. There's no inapproprite language or situations. It might be too immature for some listeners, but not this one.

Holy Roller Coaster Ride!

I need the next book! This series is deliciously deceiving. You must start at book 1 "The Selection" to encompass the complete story-line. The series portrays a not too distant future United States where it is run by a monarch of a royal family and the citizen are born into a caste system 1-royal all the way down to 8-homeless. The main character is America Singer who is born into the caste of 5 which is are artist, singers, preformer ect. A letter was sent out to all the younger ladies of the country between the ages 16-20 about the royal selection of a wife for the crown Prince Maxon. America didn't want to submit her application because she had a secret boyfriend of 2 years who was a caste below her of a 6. America's mother and her boyfriend both pushed her into entering the selection on a slim change that if she was selected it would elevate her caste to a 3 and her family would recieve money for America's participation. To everyones shock America was selected and was to join 33 other young girls to stay at the palace for Prince Maxon to select the future Queen, kinda a "The Bachelor" feel. The 2nd book starts with America down to the final 6 ladies which are known as the Elite. America is the lowest caste lady still standing in the running and the book turns more into America's new position of possible power to change the nation. This book was completely riveting and I was on edge of different emotions the whole time....the kicker is that it ends abruptly and you are completely dying to know what happens next. I am really looking forward to the next book!
YES beyond credit worthy...just remember to start at book 1 ;-)

Surprise! You love this!

The Elite continued the amazing story we stared in "The Selection". This is not a typical type of novel for me. I usually like bad ass bitches kicking the heads off of zombies or whacking limbs off of vampires with katanas. This series has a couple of middle age battles in which the main characters lock themselves in hidey holes. Don't even care! Love it anyway.

Something about the world this author created is just plain fascinating. The caste system is unique and interesting (though would will have to admit to yourself eventually that NO ONE under ANY circumstances would ever think that basing profession on economic tier would be effective or efficient). The relationship between America and Maxon is enchanting...I love them both so much!

The flow of the series follows a format much like The Bachelor and I would not be surprised if it is what inspired this story from the author.

There is something building here, under the surface of the Bachelor-esque storyline. Something that will really bring to life the world they live in and the war they are fighting. I am hoping that this series goes much further than just the love stories growing in the first two books.

A fun escape

This series is a fun and yet insightful read. While it might not find itself taught in school, it supports canonical stories such as 1984, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451. I recommend the series for most readers, especially high school students.

The Elite by Kiera Cass

So excellent that I listened from beginning to end in one sitting. I just couldn't stop. This series is fantastic. I got the first book free from Kindle Unlimited, and now the 2nd from Audible. Now I'm off to get the 3rd.