The Elite by Kiera Cass

Flo's Review

This was an interesting book for me in that I really enjoyed the story, but I did not enjoy the main character. This does not happen to me a lot. Let's get the ugly out of the way first.

(I should probably preface my rant by saying that I am 100% Team Maxon.)

America, I know this is your story, but it's not ALL about you! You string on these two men in the book so fully and completely that it astounds me! I understand that's it hard -- when you're with each one of them you think that HE is the only one for you and you are going to break it off with the other. But you are single handedly making Maxon's life about 20 hundred times harder than it needs to be because you're so busy being obsessed with what this means for you, and with your tests, that you're not giving a thought to what you're doing to him. And Aspen, for that matter. Maxon tells you exactly what he's doing and then you doubt him and get mad at him. He goes and tries to find a way to continue without you since you wrote him off, and then you get mad at him about that. I agreed wholeheartedly when he says:

"I've shown you so many of my secrets, defended you in every way I can. But when you aren't pleased with me, you act rashly. You shut me out, blame me, or, most impressively {SPOILER}. I need to know that I can depend on you. I need to know that you can keep my secrets, trust my judgment, and not hold things back from me. I need you to be completely honest with  me and stop questioning every decision I make. I need you to have faith in me, America."    

Well, I do, Maxon. Flo has faith in you!

Anyway, enough of that. I do like that America proved herself to be a good friend and that, like Aspen comments, she hasn't let the competition change her. She is still worried about her Dad approving of Maxon as a person for her. She thinks of the other Elite as her friends, and is surprised with one of them reminds her, straight up, that they are all fighting against each other for Maxon. I loved seeing more, and learning more, about America's maids. This was a book that I didn't want to put down, and I pulled out my headphones to take a listen whenever I got a free moment. I am really looking forward to The One! I think some big changes are coming for Ilea...

Jacque's Review:

I completely agree with everything Flo had to say.  I wrote my review before reading hers and it appears we are on the same page.  

I did enjoy the story, but I found it to be extremely frustrating. I realize this is because I, too, am on Team Maxon.  There were times when I actually wanted to throw the book across the room.  Of course...I couldn't do that because it is an autographed copy and I love Kiera Cass.  Instead, I simply had to put it down a few times...which is part of the reason it took me a long time to finish reading this book.

My frustration has to do with America.  At times I felt like she was irrational.  She is indecisive and often reacts without thinking about the consequences.  She also bottles up all of her thoughts and feelings and holds Maxon accountable for things beyond his control.  This love triangle should have ended a LONG time ago, but she is still confused about her feelings.  She sneaks around the palace for brief encounters alone with Aspen, yet she still gets butterflies whenever she has intimate moments with Maxon.  She is jealous when Maxon spends time with the other women in the selection, but she is the one who keeps pushing him away and asking for more time.

I felt sorry for Maxon the majority of the book.  He seems to have only the best of intentions, but America treats him very poorly most of the time.  I still hope they will reach their happily ever after in The One, but it will take a lot of hard work from America to earn back Prince Maxon's and my love and trust.