The One (The Selection, #3)

by Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. Now, only one will claim Prince Maxon’s heart…

It’s swoon meets the Hunger Games in the third instalment of THE SELECTION series!

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they’ve formed, rivalries they’ve struggled with and dangers they’ve faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives.

Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

The breathtaking third title in THE SELECTION series will make you swoon!

• ISBN13: 9780007466719
• Publish Date: 5 June 2014 (first published 6 May 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Harper Fire
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[celinenyx]

Yes yes yes. If you've stuck with the series until The One, you will love it. It has all the ingredients that make the Selection books so addicting, and puts them on steroids. Angst! Rebel attacks! Politics! Kissing! More kissing! Plot twists!

I think The One is the strongest book in the series so far. There was no dull moment in there, and a lot less angsting than we had in The Elite. America finally makes a choice, and sticks with it. I liked how there was more of a focus on the politics and the rebels, without taking away from the Selection process and the smooching. It was also fun to see a more human side of certain characters who have been rather one-dimensional up until now.

The One filled me with the warm and fuzzies. It has the perfect amount of darkness to keep it interesting, but not too much to make it depressing. I'm actually very glad there will be more books in the series, although the main story line is wrapped up, I think there is still a lot of potential for a book or two. It's such a long wait till May!

[Nessa Luna]

Read this review and more on my blog October Tune.

I've been trying for several days already to write a good review for this book, but I failed miserably. But here I am, trying again, and this time I am determined to make it into something good. (This might also partially be because I finished the book right before we went to RingCon and I think RingCon kind of broke my brain).

The One starts off a bit more exciting than the previous two books; with a rebel attack. Unfortunately, this attack was the same as the previous ones, very boring. Basically nothing happened and it was just the girls spending time hidden away while the guards fought it out with the rebels. But I do have to admit, this book had a bit more action than the previous books had, and that made me happy. The last couple of chapters were so thrilling, that I finished those in almost one sitting (there was a moment where I had to get up and walk back to the car but when we were driving I finished the last couple of pages). If the rest of the book had been as exciting as those last couple of chapters, I would have definitely given The One more stars. But unfortunately, it wasn't so.

America still isn't my favourite character in this book; she was still not sure if she loved Maxon or Aspen, she still cried a lot, and she still made stupid decision after stupid decision. Seriously, I really don't get how this girl is still in the Selection by this point. (Oh, yeah, Maxon loves her. Okay). I also still don't like Aspen, I kind of liked him at the beginning because he made America happy; but then the whole Selection happened and I started to dislike him more and more. I am 100% Team Maxon right now (even though I really despise the whole 'Team [insert love interests name here]' business), are there even people who are team Aspen? Anyway, as for the other girls in the Selection - I wasn't really a fan of them at all, though I think I started liking one a bit more near the end (I'll talk about her later).

The thing is, like I said before, I don't get how America was still in the Selection in this book, because she kept on doing stupid things, like still hanging out with Aspen for example. There are several moments in all three books where I was like 'Okay now you are going to get caught by either a guard of the king or Maxon and then you'll get killed for being an idiot. But hey of course, she's the main character, so she nothing bad ever happens to her, and she gets to do whatever she wants. Grr.

Like I said before, this book was a bit more exciting than the previous two. There were some more rebel attacks; America actually went outside of the castle for I think the first time since she arrived there, and people died. There were at least four major deaths in this story that felt very unnecessary in my opinion. 1, 2. The King and the Queen (that's two in one), okay sure I wouldn't have minded if the King died, because he was an asshole, but the Queen.. WHY?! Sure their deaths were needed so Maxon and America could become King and Queen immediately after the story ended, but still, why not just kill the King and be done with it, why take that incredibly sweet Queen with you as well? 3. America's dad. Someone on Goodreads said this death was added only to take America away from Maxon so he could realise he couldn't spend another day without her. I kind of agree with that, because it felt to me like his dead wasn't needed at all. Maybe for America to find out he was a Northern rebel, but hey we could have found that out in a different way. Kiera Cass could have made her main character a bit cleverer by finding this out without her father dying. 4. Celeste. She was a bitch in The Selection and in the Elite, and for the majority of The One as well; but in this last book she finally started to realise how awful she'd been. She apologized to the three remaining girls and they kind of became friends. They did nice things and they felt a bit like sisters. I started to like Celeste more in this book, and then she died. It happened so quick, actually, that I spend at least five minutes rereading that exact sentence. Her death, as unnecessary as it was, should not have been this quick. I apologize for that long spoiler-filled part, but I just had to talk about this. I am just so angry about these deaths.

The last couple of chapters happened very quickly and it actually made me a bit angry, because something that big and thrilling should not have been dealt with that quickly. Of course, with another rebel attack, America was whisked away to a save place. After the danger was over, it all happened very quickly and then there was the epilogue. And it just made me feel very 'meh'. I had been expecting it, so it didn't really make me feel as happy as I thought it would. I am not sure if I'm going to check out the next book in the series, called The Heir, and which apparently will be about Maxon and America's daughter, but I will surely admire the B E A U T I F U L cover (seriously THESE COVERS!!!!!!). I don't really care about their children, or whatever the last (fifth) book in the series will be about. The Selection series ended with The One for me, and that's that

My opinion on this book in one gif: 

[ladygrey]

When I first started reading this I remembered that America is petulant and impulsive and unreasonable and annoying. That's most of why it took me so long to get around to reading it. But I'm glad I did.

Because it was nice to have close to the trilogy. And because the final book wasn't that bad. Yes, in the beginning America was her annoying self. But she matured in this book. And it wasn't a gradual process. It was like 'ugh, America' and then they're standing in the rain and then she's reasonable and rational; still impetuous but it's more focused and serves her rather than wrecking things.

The whole dystopian element still doesn't make any sense. It should have just been a fantasy or an alternate reality with castes rather than trying to pretend it was dystopian. Because the caste system created good tension in the story and the characters. That element worked, but everything it was predicated upon was flimsy. And all of the political turmoil and rebels just seemed weak and distracting. There were two places it hurt the way it should - with Paige and when America was injured. That night was real and played very well. But the next day it was all too easy again.

The best part of this series has always been her and Maxon. They are the sweet, fluffy romance that makes these books fun. This book their conflict is (mostly) reasonable which was a pleasant change. They are sweet and cute but there's also some depth to their relationship which makes it all the better. Even though there were a few places I didn't understand the games America was playing and why she was being dumb - she had a good point at the end about him splitting his affections. And there were some really cute lines so it was a fun read after all.

[sstaley]

I rate this book in the 3 1/2-4 star range. I liked the ending and that's what gave it the high rating. There could have been more to the storyline, but basically it was a bachelor style book with a bunch of whiny girls vying for the rich guy. Looking back on the whole series, I think I liked the first book the best. I would have liked to see more with the plot, but frankly it wasn't that kind of book. These books are the kind of books you pick up on snowy afternoon and read quickly...nothing wrong about that, but nothing to write home about. They could be classified as a "fun" read, but not one that I'll read again.

[sarahjay]

I don't know if I loved this trilogy so much because I was expecting not to love it, but I don't really care. These books were delicious and sugary with just the right amount of angst and just UGH. I CRIED, OKAY. I haven't cried while reading a book since HP7.* I'm so glad I picked these up. I'm already excited for whatever Kiera Cass writes next.

EDIT
*OKAY I LIED, I CRIED IN TFIOS. And probably others. I don't know why I said this. I have no concept of time apparently because HP7 was... a while ago.

[Vicki]

Apr 2018 = 4.5 stars
Jun 2014 = 5 stars

[angelarenea9]

This review is full of spoilers.

This book was not as good as the first one, but much better than the second. I really liked that the back and forth between Aspen and Maxon came to an end pretty early on. As I've said in my review of The Elite, I was not a fan of the love triangle. I still found the love story plot a bit tired. Maxon was selfish and obnoxious dating 3 people at once, although I do know that is the basis for this series. The thing that got me though was the childish games that America and Maxon played with each other. Who cares who says I love you first? Page after page of back and forth monologues about how she loves him but can't or won't say it unless he says it first, and then the arguments over who should say it! For Heaven's sake just someone say it and be done with it!

As far as the political aspect, I thought it was amazing! I liked the way the northern rebels' story line played out and I absolutely loved the scenes with the Italians. This book had a feel that danger was right around the corner, but unlike the previous book, it felt important, and worth the risk.

I also really enjoyed seeing the family dynamic in the Singer household and was genuinely sad when the father died. I did not, however like the 180 Celeste's character pulled. I think she started out too extreme and had to come too far too fast to make it believable. I did like her after said unbelievable character change.

I think that the ending was rushed and a little bit of a cop out, but I saw it coming. Too much setup had been laid out for the Aspen reveal not to touch on it, and the king had to die to tie this up nicely. I didn't see the queen's death coming though, and was upset about that. I really liked her, she seemed like quite a lady.

If someone liked the first two books, I think that they would really enjoy this wrap up of the series.

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/05/the-one-by-kiera-cass.html
I've loved The Selection series, and although I'm sad to say goodbye, it ended on a beautiful and heartwarming note. The series follows America, a girl who society deems you by a number. You number represents who you are, where you live and whether or not you go hungry. A system that awards the wealthy and strips the down and out bare. When she's chosen as one of The Selected, it's her family's chance to move up the ranks, ensuring their children are cared for. Prince Maxon will choose a bride from thirty five girls, the educated, the wealthy and for good show, the poor. It's a mix between an arranged marriage and finding a subservient girl, something America can boast she knows nothing about. Although occasionally America seems to complain a little too often, she's a likable heroine. She reluctantly agreed to The Selection in order to provide for her family. She's tough and I loved seeing her grow into a young woman who stood up for what she believed in.

Maxon. Oh, Maxon. He's dashing, but at times he seems far too weak to rule. I needed him to stand up to his father, who continued to threaten America and created situations not only to embarrass her, but to show that she isn't capable or worthy of being chosen. Without America, Maxon doesn't have the backbone he needs to abolish the caste society, but luckily she's strong and sassy enough for the both of them.

Where the action was lacking in book two, it more than makes up for it in The One. The final few chapters were read with my breath held at times, not being able to turn the page fast enough. I begun to dread the fatal final book disappointment, but Kiera Cass constructed a story with her readers foremost in her thoughts. It was a fantastic series finale that left me overjoyed, a little teary but most importantly, fulfilled.

[liz089]

3

[Ashley]

Nose Graze — Book reviews & blogging tips

Just like with the rest of the books in the series, I had almost a morbid fascination and obsession with The One. On the one hand, I absolutely hate the idea of a competition to become a bride. It's disgusting. If I were America, I'd hate it that Maxon needs to date three other girls to be sure that I'm the right one for him. It's kind of insulting.. like, "I'm not really sure about you so I need to take a few other girls for a test ride." Hello, not romantic.

But on the other hand, I was kind of addicted. I so desperately wanted America to be chosen and I loved cheering her on! I felt like such a fan girl.

One of my favourite things about The One was the relationships between The Elite girls. We got to know them a lot better in this book, but they also kind of became friends and I loved that! And by "friends", I actually mean braiding each others' hair, gossiping, and just being girls together. It was so freaking cute!

I do think that The One had the same problems as the other books in the series: not enough information about the rebellion. Even in this last book, I feel like we still have so little information. Yes we have more than we did before, but nowhere near enough for me to be able to say I understand the rebellion. Then, at the end, the southern rebels just disappeared. Were we supposed to assume that was the last of them? I feel like there was never much of a confrontation between the two groups.

But even so, that didn't stop The One from being a really fun and entertaining book. I don't think I've read any other books in the world faster than I read The Selection books. It's so easy to just sit down, get lost in the competition, and devour the heck out of those books. Even if The One is a bit lacking in the political/rebellion department, it will definitely satisfy you in the entertainment/romance department!