The Elite by Kiera Cass: Book Review & Annotations

Part two of this series is even more exhilarating than the first. The Elite captured the intensity of the competition perfectly, I read this book so quickly just because I simply couldn't put it down! So, without further ado, let's go through some of the pros and cons of this book as well as my annotations! (P.S. This review contains spoilers!! You have been warned!!)

Pros of The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Romance

I am such a sucker for a cute, fluffy love story. Honestly, I'd rather have a load of fluff over smut any day, and this series isn't known to have much more than fade-to-black scenes, so for that, I'm kind of grateful. There's a time and place for everything and a cute romance like Maxon and America's doesn't need much more than a fade-to-black scene anyway. Also, in the fictional country of Illéa, premarital sex is illegal, so it wouldn't have been feasible anyway for more than PG-13 scenes. Maxon and America's romance is very pure and loving, even though at times their age and immaturity shows (for example, lack of communication), they have - for the most part - a pretty healthy, mature relationship...that is, other than the fact that Maxon doesn't know America's first love and continuously burning flame is a guard in his palace. But that's for another time. SPOILERS AHEAD!! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!

The Feminine Relationships

Other than the terror that is Celeste, the women competing together in this Bachelor-Esque situation more or less have respect for each other. Natalie, Kriss, Elise, Marlee and America get along just fine (although there is some animosity between Kriss and America later on), which is nice that it's not a completely toxic environment full of sabotage, other than Celeste who seems to be the only one engaging in cruel behaviour mostly towards America, but she doesn't hold back her ruthlessness from the other Elite girls. America also has a respectful, understanding relationship with Queen Amberly, Maxon's mother, who could quite possibly be her future mother-in-law.

Cons of The Elite by Kiera Cass

America's Attitude

I'm not going to beat around the bush, America strings Maxon along for a terrible amount of time. She bounces back and forth between Aspen and Maxon, knowing full well that if anyone were to catch her in a compromising situation with Aspen she could be sentenced to death; which isn't a completely discardable theory considering what happens mid-book to one of The Elite...but that's another point. I hate that Maxon has no idea that she's basically having an affair with one of his guards, all while he's trying to do what he can to get to know her and make her see what kind of life she could have with him. Maxon is definitely a gentleman, he treats her with kindness, gentility, generosity, and most importantly, love; but she won't say that she feels the same. Maxon tells her time and time again that if she just told him how she felt about him, he'd end The Selection immediately. Maxon even takes a punishment that America should have received for interfering with something she shouldn't have, really showing his devotion to her; but at a time that may have been considered too late once other operations were already in order. America doesn't know who she wants to be with at this point, not wanting to be with one or the other but not wanting to let either of them go; it's relatable to a degree but after a bit, you're just wishing she puts everyone out of their misery and makes a choice!

What Happens to Marlee

Okay, so major spoiler here; Marlee (America's best friend in The Selection) was never in love with Prince Maxon, but rather with one of the guards, Officer Carter Woodwork. The two are caught in a closet on Halloween and sentenced to a public canning (rather than the death penalty that they'd be warranted to receive given the law) that America is oblivious to until she arrives at the event. America is horrified at what is happening to Marlee and Carter, she makes a huge scene and is forced to leave after a while. What happens after is really frustrating; America blames Maxon for what happened to Marlee and Carter. America is upset that Maxon just watched and lets it happen, but my question is, what else was he supposed to do? Although he has governing powers, he is the Prince, whereas his more ruthless father is King, leaving such drastic decisions ultimately up to him, not Maxon. America takes her anger out on Maxon and treats him like crap for a while, and through it all, he is desperate for her to just say yes to being his bride; like he's been hoping for since book one. I think Kiera Cass represented misdirected teenage angst properly, but again, it's relatable to a degree until you just have had enough and find yourself slightly upset with the main character.

I'd love to know what you all thought of The Elite by Kiera Cass, and if you've read any of her other books as well as any similar ones to The Selection Series. If so, leave a comment and let's have a chat!

The next book in this series, The One, is by far my favourite, so be prepared for a very passionate review! In the meantime, give me a shout on Instagram! @cozyannotations

A presto,

Melissa