Synopsis:

This three book series follows a dystopian look on America after thousands of years into the future. America is now called Illéa and the nation is set into a system of castes, or social classes. Ones are the elite and the royals, Twos are celebrities and the rich and the numbers fall all the way down to Eights who are homeless. You are born into your caste and there is no way you can move up in the caste, only move down.

America Singer is a Five, who ironically is a musician. America is in love with her neighbor Aspen who is a Six. Dating outside of your caste is very frowned upon, since in order for them to get married, America must move down a caste and become a six.

Maxon Schreave is the prince of Illéa, and it now at an eligible age to wed. Maxon can only find his wife through a competition known as The Selection. This Selection is a kind of lottery where girls, between the ages of sixteen and nineteen, can enter for a chance to compete for the title. Thirty-five girls are chosen, only one can win the crown, and Maxon’s heart.

America Singer is persuaded to enter The Selection by her parents, who want her to have the best possible chance for a happy life, and by Aspen, who thinks she deserves more than what a Six could give her. Reluctantly, she enters the competition, and she is one of the chosen thirty-five girls.

Will America fall in love with Maxon? Will she ever truly let Aspen go? Will the nation of Illéa be safe from rebel forces? Read the series and find out for yourself!

Characters:

The characters were spectacularly written and each character is very much three-dimensional. The author, Kiera Cass, definitely showed immense character development over the course of the three books. I loved every single one of the characters, I don’t have a single complaint.

America was such an all-round great character. I found myself adoring her one page, and getting frustrating with her the next page. She acted on impulse, which is always keeping a reader on their toes, which I definitely appreciated. I was glad that she didn’t bug me like most female protagonist. She never annoyed me, and that mostly comes from that she never had unnecessary complaining. In the second book, The Elite, she definitely drove me a little crazy however with her lack of trust towards Maxon and her indecisiveness, which I feel really came out of nowhere. I also really loved how she never let Maxon off the hook on anything, she wasn’t afraid to fight with him which was definitely my favorite thing in their relationship. She definitely was a lot stronger, and more decisive. She was a great main character that I think every reader can relate to at one point or another.

I absolutely adored Maxon! He was always so sweet and genuine towards America. He was definitely not what I expected in a Prince. He was never selfish or conceited which was really refreshing. He was an outstandingly written character, five stars to you Kiera Cass! He pushed America to be better, and he was just so infatuated with her which was adorable.

Aspen, Aspen, Aspen…nope. There is no team Aspen, it does not exist. Yes, he is sweet and very much in love with America, but the boy is so, so boring! We get it, you love America, you tell her all the time. I didn’t think I could ever like Aspen, especially after the second book, but I did find myself falling in love with his character in the third book. But still, no.

King Clarkson? Nope, not even going to get into it.

Overall Thoughts:

Please, please read these books! It’s like the Bachelor on steroids mixed with the Hunger Games without the bloodshed…at least not as much blood. Yes, this story is a love triangle, and I know what you’re thinking “Twilight couldn’t do it right, and no other book in history has ever done a love triangle right.” but that is not the case here. Like I said earlier, Team Aspen doesn’t exist, so that in itself makes the entire novel better than other cliche love triangles. The love triangle never got corny or overdone. It added another layer to an overall spectacular series.

There is also so much more to this book than a love story. The country of Illéa is in seriously bad condition with the caste systems and there are rebellions. One thing that makes this dystopian novel different than the others is that there are two rebel groups, that’s right TWO! There is the Northerns and the Southerns, and they add a very good layer to the series. You learn more as you read on in the series and it’s very captivating.

I suggest that you buy all the books in the three book set, because once you finish one, you’ll need the next one. You will get so entwined in this story you’ll be getting so many paper cuts turning the pages, I know this first hand.

This is one of the few novels that makes you believe in love again. It shows that romance isn’t truly dead, and chivalry still exists. It’s one of those books that make you want to fall in love, and that is truly remarkable.

Upcoming News on the Series:

There is a prequel to this novel called The Heir, which will be part of a prequel series. I’m about six chapters in currently, and I love it already! I went right to target directly after finishing The One to purchase it.

Another exciting note, the series has been bought by Warner Brothers and the novels are being adapted to a screenplay by Katie Lovejoy. That’s right, the series will become a movie franchise!! There are no release dates yet, and no one has been officially casted yet. Speculation surrounds that Angelina Jolie may play the role as Queen Amberly, Holland Rolland may play America Singer, and Max Irons for Prince Maxon. Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming months!

Leave comments below whether you have read the series, plan to, or just your thoughts on the the novels!!