The One

March 3, 2014
Fans of Cass’s Selection trilogy won’t be disappointed with this satisfying final installment. Lower caste and originally a long shot in the competition, America Singer returns as one of four Elite girls vying for Prince Maxon’s heart and the title of princess of Illea. America is as willful and defiant as ever, making her both a target of King Clarkson’s wrath and the darling of the people of Illea. She and Maxon continue to butt heads even as the chemistry between them remains palpable. The challenges facing the couple are unrelenting: brutal attacks by rebels, new political allies with a clear preference in who is chosen as princess, and ever-tangled relationships with America’s fellow Selected girls. America has the right mix of sass and heart, and her over-the-top royal treatment is enough to make any reader who has ever played dress-up envious. Cass wisely keeps the Selection decision uncertain until the very end, keeping readers on the edge of their seats to find out who Maxon will finally choose as his bride. Ages 13–up. Agent: Elana Roth, Red Tree Literary.

racoon3711 - THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!! In the third book of the Selection series things really heat up. Towards the start of the One two Northern Rebels, August and Georgia, come to visit Maxon and America. During the meeting, the rebels told Maxon that they could help get rid of the Southern Rebels. They also say that they would like Maxon to try and eliminate the castes. The rebels and America and Maxon get along fairly well and part ways with a new ally. Also, in the third book America finally starts to make friends with the rest of the Elite. Anyways, America soon faces yet another challenge called the Conviction. During the Conviction each of the Elite are supposed to help sentence criminals, but America doesn't see this as fair. While she thinks there should be justice, she also doesn't agree with the man she is punishing's sentence time. He was supposed to go to jail for life for stealing clothes for his daughters. Since America sees this as unjust she gives the man the super expensive earrings and bracelet Maxon gave her, and the bird necklace her dad gave her to pay for his crimes to the King. This makes the King hate her even more. A little later in this masterpiece book America and Maxon decide that they need to speak to August and Georgia again. With a little help from Aspen the couple gets to talk to the rebel leaders, and on their way of leaving they get attacked by the Southern Rebels. America gets shot and Maxon helps her escape into the streets alone. She runs into an alley way cradling her wounded arm and meets an eight named Paige. Paige stays with America until Maxon soon arrives. America then asks Maxon if Paige can come work at the palace for helping her and the Prince agrees to it. Paige was very happy to be off the streets and into a much safer place. Then, right before Christmas the book takes an extremely sad turn. (EXTREME SPOILER COMING UP!!!!!!!!!) America's father dies of a heart attack. While America travels home to mourn her Dad, Maxon sends both Celeste and Elise home to narrow the Selection down to Kriss and America. After returning to the palace she and Maxon have a very intimate night together and the Prince tells her he is going to choose her. Then when she was trying to tell Aspen that she and him are officially over Maxon catches her touching his chest. She meant the touch as a sort of push to emphasize what she is saying to him. However, Maxon thinks she is with Aspen and tells her that he will now choose Kriss. Finally, in the end the Southerners attack and Maxon gets shot in the chest protecting America. He realizes that he loves her and that he is willing to die for her. So finally after the attack ends, Maxon is okay, and proposes to her as the new King (both his Mother and Father died) . America says yes and she and Maxon were married. I loved this book and highly recommend it to 7th graders and up. Kiera Cass is an amazing author. You NEED to read the One.