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cath_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars for this book. I loved finally getting to the end of America and Maxon’s story. They didn’t exactly get the picture perfect “Happy Ever After”, but the did end up together.
Having said all that, the ending of this book felt a little too convenient and it definitely felt rushed. The rest of the series seemed to dig into some pretty deep emotional moments and contexts. In this last book, there’s a bunch of trauma that happens in the last 50 pages or so, but none of it is given attention or is really discussed. It’s all just kind of tied up in a neat little bow, glazed over without any weight or consideration really given, so that the story could end. It seemed incongruous with the rest of the series, and it’s why my rating wasn’t higher for this particular book. Everything was wrapped up, there aren’t any loose ends, but I wish it was done it a better way.
Having said all that, the ending of this book felt a little too convenient and it definitely felt rushed. The rest of the series seemed to dig into some pretty deep emotional moments and contexts. In this last book, there’s a bunch of trauma that happens in the last 50 pages or so, but none of it is given attention or is really discussed. It’s all just kind of tied up in a neat little bow, glazed over without any weight or consideration really given, so that the story could end. It seemed incongruous with the rest of the series, and it’s why my rating wasn’t higher for this particular book. Everything was wrapped up, there aren’t any loose ends, but I wish it was done it a better way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Physical abuse, and War
ellionora's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing and Domestic abuse
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Medical content, and War
helenafaustina's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Disclaimer: I did not find anything to like about this book so I'm going to be brutally honest with this review. If you loved the book, you may not want to continue reading. 😂
Perhaps the title, The One, was a hint to how I would give it one star. Perhaps I should not have picked up a series because it was popular and continued reading to say that I finished a story so that people couldn't tell me I don't deserve an opinion unless I know the end. (Actually, that's not a perhaps. Don't waste your time with books you don't like, even if they are quick.) I've seen this series described as mental junk food, and that is a perfect description. But it never gave me the pleasure that junk food does, BUT it did make me really appreciate other actual pieces of literature.
First off, we have America. The ultimate cliche girl who prefers pants, doesn't like makeup, thinks she's ugly, and all that jazz. She's "brave", "unique", (even though I only recall a few examples of when she was reckless with good intentions) and "has a good moral compass and love of doing the right thing" even though she has abundantly shown herself to do the wrong thing way more, such cheating on a guy she's dating (with zero remorse or conscience pricks), jumping to whatever conclusion her brain reaches first, and being impure. And no, I don't care if that's "the norm" for the series, immodesty still isn't right and I'm not going to adjust my opinion on this for a character's trashy standards.
Then we have the boys, the 2/3 of the love triangle. Maxon, the prince, who in the first book, actually seems pretty decent! He keeps his distance, he has standards, I had expectations for him! Expectations WHICH HE SLAUGHTERED when he (probably catching on from America) dates and flirts with the other girls and keeps one especially for backup. He hangs out with one of the most hated girls just because, oh woe is me oh poor little neglected boy, he wants the experience. BAH. Aspen doesn't get much better. He definitely never treated America like a lady, not that she gave him any reason to. But in this book, he doesn't show up much unless it's to give a hurt look to America or whatever. But then his problem is quickly done away withwhen all of a sudden we find out that he's in love with someone else! Now everyone can live happily ever after, hooray!🎉 I'm sorry, but that's a cheap plot.
Then, the one character I liked, Marlee, ends up destroying my faith in humanity as well whenshe cheats on Maxon. And everyone's like, aw poor Marlee, she doesn't deserve that! First of all, she could have gotten way worse. Secondly, she literally broke an oath and the law AND was impure, why should she have any special kind of sympathy? I liked the maids too, until they conspired with America to design a dress to attract Maxon. 🙄 That, by the way, is the only time America takes the time to think of something with a plan. The only character I ended up remotely liking was the queen, who turned out to be a bit spineless and she died, not only in a lackluster ending but it seriously wasn't fun. Then there's the tyrannical bully of a king who-ah, what's this? Another weak plotpoint? HE DIES! Also, can we talk about how when something interesting starts to happen America gets locked up so we don't get to see it??
I could go on (especially about how the whole politics and war subplot makes no sense), but I'll leave with this: This book teaches that if you are attracted to someone and have feelings for them, you can do a whole bunch of horrible things and it's fine because it's meant to be, and therefore beautiful, because all's fair in love and war or whatnot, and you'll end up together in the end! It shows that a lack of self control or ability to stop and think is just fine and dandy if you have good intentions. It's false romance.
Perhaps the title, The One, was a hint to how I would give it one star. Perhaps I should not have picked up a series because it was popular and continued reading to say that I finished a story so that people couldn't tell me I don't deserve an opinion unless I know the end. (Actually, that's not a perhaps. Don't waste your time with books you don't like, even if they are quick.) I've seen this series described as mental junk food, and that is a perfect description. But it never gave me the pleasure that junk food does, BUT it did make me really appreciate other actual pieces of literature.
First off, we have America. The ultimate cliche girl who prefers pants, doesn't like makeup, thinks she's ugly, and all that jazz. She's "brave", "unique", (even though I only recall a few examples of when she was reckless with good intentions) and "has a good moral compass and love of doing the right thing" even though she has abundantly shown herself to do the wrong thing way more, such cheating on a guy she's dating (with zero remorse or conscience pricks), jumping to whatever conclusion her brain reaches first, and being impure. And no, I don't care if that's "the norm" for the series, immodesty still isn't right and I'm not going to adjust my opinion on this for a character's trashy standards.
Then we have the boys, the 2/3 of the love triangle. Maxon, the prince, who in the first book, actually seems pretty decent! He keeps his distance, he has standards, I had expectations for him! Expectations WHICH HE SLAUGHTERED when he (probably catching on from America) dates and flirts with the other girls and keeps one especially for backup. He hangs out with one of the most hated girls just because, oh woe is me oh poor little neglected boy, he wants the experience. BAH. Aspen doesn't get much better. He definitely never treated America like a lady, not that she gave him any reason to. But in this book, he doesn't show up much unless it's to give a hurt look to America or whatever. But then his problem is quickly done away with
Then, the one character I liked, Marlee, ends up destroying my faith in humanity as well when
I could go on (especially about how the whole politics and war subplot makes no sense), but I'll leave with this: This book teaches that if you are attracted to someone and have feelings for them, you can do a whole bunch of horrible things and it's fine because it's meant to be, and therefore beautiful, because all's fair in love and war or whatnot, and you'll end up together in the end! It shows that a lack of self control or ability to stop and think is just fine and dandy if you have good intentions. It's false romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Murder, and War
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, and Classism
Chapter 2 can be skipped. After an announcement happens in Chapter 27, the rest of that can be skipped too. There's mid-level language in the book.isabelleroyall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content and Torture
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I did it! I finished the Selection Series!
Yes, I know that there are even more books about before the Selection and after the Selection and who knows.. maybe I will read them one day but right now I think I'm done with this series. In a good way though!
I enjoyed the ending and I liked it even though I still believe that this series could have been way shorter and it obviously has many flaws. The world building was weak and there are many plot holes. Many things are never really explained and some parts if the story are not well thought through.
It's definitely not a masterpiece but that did not make me enjoy it less. It felt old and made me feel kind of nostalgic even though I have never read it before. I liked it and it was a cute enough romance.
My rating is 4 stars even though rationally it is not as good as most other books I have rated 4 stars but since I did enjoy it I don't want to give it less.
I still don't particularly care about all the characters and I thought it was really strange how the author just killed so many off for plot convenience in the end.
Maxon needed to be king so obviously his parents die, Anne had a crush on Aspen but he chose Mary so obviously she dies and Celeste was a bad person and even though she is now redeemed she still has to pay for what she did and dies.
I guess I just wish America was a bit more independent and not so much a 'not-like-other-girls' girl.
Yes, I know that there are even more books about before the Selection and after the Selection and who knows.. maybe I will read them one day but right now I think I'm done with this series. In a good way though!
I enjoyed the ending and I liked it even though I still believe that this series could have been way shorter and it obviously has many flaws. The world building was weak and there are many plot holes. Many things are never really explained and some parts if the story are not well thought through.
It's definitely not a masterpiece but that did not make me enjoy it less. It felt old and made me feel kind of nostalgic even though I have never read it before. I liked it and it was a cute enough romance.
My rating is 4 stars even though rationally it is not as good as most other books I have rated 4 stars but since I did enjoy it I don't want to give it less.
I still don't particularly care about all the characters and I thought it was really strange how the author just killed so many off for plot convenience in the end.
Maxon needed to be king so obviously his parents die, Anne had a crush on Aspen but he chose Mary so obviously she dies and Celeste was a bad person and even though she is now redeemed she still has to pay for what she did and dies.
I guess I just wish America was a bit more independent and not so much a 'not-like-other-girls' girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
nina17's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
arce's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Whew, what a wild ride...
It feels weird, like there happened too much in the last few chapters and then on the other hand not enough. Where's the explanations for nearly everything that happened in the end?What did the rebels want to achieve with that last attack? August and Georgia? Why was America's father a rebel? Why the deaths in the end?
This review sums up everything I'd say about this book.
It feels weird, like there happened too much in the last few chapters and then on the other hand not enough. Where's the explanations for nearly everything that happened in the end?
This review sums up everything I'd say about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
asthxte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
bailey1196's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent
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