The Elite

The Selection, Book 2

By: Kiera Cass

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The selection began with 35 girls. Now, with the group narrowed down to the Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's love is fiercer than ever. The closer America gets to the crown, the more she struggles to figure out where her heart truly lies. Each moment she spends with Maxon is like a fairy tale, filled with breathless, glittering romance. But whenever she sees her first love, Aspen, standing guard, she's swept up in longing for the life they'd planned to share.

America is desperate for more time. But while she's torn between her two futures, the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want - and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

©2013 Kiera Cass (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

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.

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.

This is becoming my new favorite series. I love ho

This is becoming my new favorite series. I love how it plays with my emotions and hate it at the same time.

WOW! Fantastic Story!

If you could sum up The Elite in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant, heart-WRENCHING, beautiful.

Any additional comments?

I truly enjoyed this stories plot and it has left me wanting more!

Better than 1st book.

I love the twist and turns on this one. The surprises of where this went was great. I cannot wait to read the next book!

Starting to crash and burn

What did you love best about The Elite?

The kernel of the story is what I liked…the idea that this girl from a lower cast could become powerful and that she would change history. I loved the first one, and this one started great. But hell, what happened to America? I keep asking myself why I’m reading a book where the lesson seems to be “Be quite, let men walk all over you, don’t think for yourself….and oh, maybe put out a little too and you’ll get the guy.” How can anyone think Maxon is any kind of hero, he such a misogynistic egomaniac. No one seems to question the fact that it’s okay for him to run around making out (or worse) with anyone he wants, but if any of the girls even considers another she’s whipped (or worse). There is absolutely nothing romantic about the relationship between these two….why would America choose this jerk? I already purchased the 3rd book so I can’t decide if I should go ahead and listen to it and hope and pray that Kiera Cass wouldn’t let this book end with America marrying Maxon. Please….tell me that America goes on to lead the rebels to victory and either she ends up with Aspen or she finds someone in the rebel camp even better. If she does end up with Maxon, I’m really sad that young girls out there are reading this crap and think that it’s okay to let anyone treat you like this.

Didn't disappoint!!!!

Any additional comments?

After the first book, I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed, and I wasn't. SPOIL ALERT - I was a bit frustrated with the character of America in this one... just because I'm so team Maxon and she was being a bit annoying to me by not being able to make a decision... BUT, I still absolutely loved this book. I'm on the 3rd now, and I need to slow down or I'm going to finish the entire series in a week.

Great Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the second book in the series and I couldnt put it down. Cant wait for the next one!