Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Elite

First half of this book is more of the same, just dumb fun. But then it gets dumber and drags a little. I had to actively tell myself to not question things, it's still possible to have some fun, but the first book was easier to let go.

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cath_reads_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s safe to say this series has me absolutely hooked! It’s basically The Bachelor but with actually intelligent people, and the political status of an entire country hang in the balance of the outcome.

I thought I was Team Maxon before this book; now I’m definitely Team Maxon forever.

It’s heartbreaking to read about what a difficult spot he’s in: trying to be compassionate and show mercy to people around him while dealing with a tyrannical and abusive father. Finding out that Maxon has been taking physical punishments and beatings from his father for years absolutely broke me. And it made me love Maxon so much more, because clearly those punishments had not broken him or turned him into a monster of a person.

America continues to be the upstanding, caring, thoughtful heroine I needed in my life. She is devoted to what is fair and good, even if it means giving up a little of her privilege for others. In every decision she’s making she’s weighing not only what would be good for herself, but good for the country and the citizens of Illéa. I know she’s got doubts, but I honestly think she would make a fantastic princess and an even more wonderful queen! As an aside: I absolutely adore the relationship she has with her maids. 💜 She truly values everyone regardless of caste.

It was clear from the end of this book that Maxon and America have an extremely tough time ahead.

There’s still four girls left…

cannot wait to see how The Selection ends!

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ashe01's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ve heard that this book is one of people’s least favorites in the Selection series, and I can see why. Don’t get me wrong, I greatly enjoyed this book and read through it quickly! In comparison to the first book, I believe this one had a great deal more political world building in it. Because of that, the actual aspect of the Selection seemed to be almost paused and not much happening there. But it was still something I wanted to read and became completely immersed in; just not as much as the first book.

Side note: I LOVE the relationship America has with her father. The way she constantly asks him for guidance and looks to him as a level-head is just incredible!

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kaylurzz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I'm dizzy at how much America was going back and forth between Maxon and Aspen.

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helenafaustina's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

America Singer is insufferable. She just follows emotions without thinking. That's literally the whole book. So read this if you want a girl flip-flopping around about what she feels.

I was holding out hope for Maxon, but he disappointed me so much. Boo. Marlee disappointed me too. She did wrong, even if her sentence was harsh. Aspen is still a jerk.

The only character I like at this point is the queen and we probably only got one paragraph of her. The maids are still really nice, too.

Also, what is going on with palace security??? They can afford so much luxury, yet they apparently can't find a way to keep someone from breaking into the palace every two seconds. Not to mention we have the world's best detective team here who clearly is figuring out what the rebels want. (Spoiler, THEY STINK AT DETECTIVE WORK.)

I usually try to find nice things to say about books I have negative reviews about but I can't for this. It's false romance, predictable, annoying and uninspiring. And I hate that I need to know what happens to these characters. 😂

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isabelleroyall's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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amelianotthepilot's review against another edition

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1.5

Yet again this series is rough. The book cover is truly doing so much work here it is gorgeous.
damn these suck. it’s so back and forth the whole time, within one sentence America decides she's fully into maxon only to decide in the next sentence she’s actually going home and will date aspen. Aspen sucks and Maxon is too mature and kind to her. I still don't understand how these books were spread out like this, I think the whole selection plot could be one book instead of 3-absolutely nothing happens in this book you can honestly skip it. Yet again the rebels are still meaningless.
lol at my old 2014 review tho💀 (I was 15)

repeat: My main problem with the series in general is the random blatant sexism and racism. The girls in the selection are just wives who will bare children, they're objects, and while this is poked at (maybe once) it's not actually called out for being bad. The racism lies mainly in one character being Asian and is referred to as 'exotic' and also seems to be a 'conglomerate Asian' of just random various Asian stereotypes and cultural dress. But furthermore the two groups of rebels the north (implied Canadians) are described as 'civilized' and 'smart' while the south (implied Mexico and South America) are described as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized', attacking viciously without purpose. There is also heavy classism. Although this is meant to be a dystopian plot device dividing the characters and their upbringings, the characters who rise classes basically immediately forget their struggles and upbringing and the commentary and morals end up not existing. America easily fits into her new raised class and bosses her maids around while displaying minimal niceties the reader is supposed to commend her for.
Overall this is a simple, albeit lacking 2000s dystopian with blatant problems and racism but at least it has pretty dresses and a fun little plot I guess....

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tara_o7c's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is a little more political than its predecessor, but the main focus is still the Romance story. The writing did not falter or change in any way. Overall pretty good sequel.

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