The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass REVIEW

Overall Rating


I know that I was not the only person that was super anxious for the release of this book. Seriously, it seemed like forever! I had to go back and read the first book in the series, The Selection, again so that my memory would be refreshed for the second installment. This book was everything I thought it would be, fantastic! However, throw a pinch or forty of “WTF” and a handful of wanting to strangle the main character America, and you have a recipe for a great book. This book delivers you the next part of the competition where America is “competing” for the heart of Prince Maxon. If you have read the first book, you will understand why I just put competing in quotes. It was an extremely good yet frustrating read but I highly recommend that you read this book and for those of you that have not read it, definitely pick up the first book and give this series a try.
Originality/Creativity


This book has some originality to it even though it sounds like a medieval version of the Bachelor. The times actually takes place in more modern day, however the dystopian society has a monarchy that seems to take you back to medieval times. It is the classic love triangle story with a girl that cannot quite decide her fate. And with the competition going on, you also learn about rebels that are trying to overthrow the monarchy which adds a bit of suspense to the story.

Complexity of Characters/Storyline


This book has more complexity to it than the first book in my opinion. You are seeing that the love triangle between America, Maxon, and Aspen is becoming quite scandalous. America is becoming more bold in her indiscretions and it is completely frustrating. You also see Maxon starting to drift off and that makes the story give the reader some anxiety, let me tell ya! The rebel situation is also more extreme, I believe it is setting up to become a very interesting read for the third book.

Quality of writing


This series is intended to be young adult so expect the writing to be quite good but not advanced vocabulary. It is extremely well edited which makes it a smooth read. If you read my reviews, you know I freakin HATE poorly edited books. That will literally be a deal breaker for me. This series is extremely popular so you know Kiera Cass has a great editing team behind her.

Action/Suspense


There is a decent amount of action in this book. You will see the action mostly from the rebels that are trying to overthrow Prince Maxon and his family. The suspense in this book is off the charts if you are as frustrated with America and her choices between Prince Maxon and Aspen. Personally, I am team Maxon. Not because he is a Prince (but that don’t hurt one bit), but because Aspen had his head up his ass and deserted America when she had her heart 100% devoted to him. That will always sway my decision on a man! At this point, you really can’t tell which way she might go and all the little situations and interactions in this book will have you screaming “WTF!!!!!”

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?

Hell yeah and then some. I usually like more action or even violent type books, but this book and the first are a great series. If you like a good love triangle, Prince & Princess themes, competitions, and a female lead character, you won’t go wrong with this series. The second book was an excellent read and set up for the third book. I literally cannot wait for the next book because of all the frustration this second book caused me! So pick it up and give it a try. Be forewarned, the third book is not set to be released until May 2014 so if you want to save yourself some frustration and anxiety from this cliff hanging book, you may want to wait to read this series. Or do what I do, just re-read the books close to the next release date. I can never wait to get my hands on book series that have long waits in between releases though, that’s just me.

In Darkness We Must Abide, Season 2, Dire Warning, by Rhiannon Frater REVIEW

Overall Rating


This review is for Season 2 of the “In Darkness We Must Abide” series. Even though it is titled as Episode 6, it is actually the first book in season 2 but the 6th book in the series. If you have not read my review for the first books in the series, scroll down and check that out first. You definitely need to read season 1 before hopping into the series. For those of you that are not familiar with serial series, they are book series that have basically a novella released weekly, monthly, or whatever just like tv series. This one has been my favorite serial series, although I admit it is torture waiting for the next part to be released because I want to know what happens next!
This book is a continuation of the first series. The main character, Vanora, is coping with her Vampire family drama. She is older in this book, and we get more insight into the death of her parents and the one that murdered him. You will learn more about the twisted “prophecy” and Vanora’s role in that as well as that psycho that obsesses over her.

Originality/Creativity


Nothing beats the creativity that Rhiannon uses in this series. Usually a book focuses on one genre. Well in this series, you get a little of everything. You get a hint of romance, personal conflict, supernatural (Vampires are HOT right now, as we all know), paranormal, action, suspense and mystery. You can’t go wrong with this series, it literally has it all! Although there are literally millions of vampire stories out there, this one is unique and Rhiannon is a very skilled author. You would be a fool not to like it, just check out the ratings on Goodreads if you don’t believe me.

Complexity of Characters/Storyline


The main character, Vanora, is extremely complex. She starts out very young in the beginning of the series and in Season 2, you get to have her POV as a young adult. It is refreshing to finally start to understand Vanora and there is still so much being unveiled about her even though one season is already out. Each book you see Vanora growing up and becoming a woman while struggling with herself over her Vampire family and the turmoil it causes to love and despise them all at once. You also have the other characters to consider, each with their own struggles and each playing a large role in Vanora’s life. There is Armando, Vanora’s tortured love interest and their tragic relationship. Roman, Vanora’s much older brother and leader of seemingly moral vampire clan he started and ruled according to “Roman’s Law.” Alisha, Vanora’s older sister, who supports Roman and viciously loves Vanora. And then there is the bad guy. The books do not reveal his name for quite some time and you actually don’t know too much about him until book 6. But what we know isn’t much so it will be interesting to learn more as the series progresses.

Quality of writing


This series is a young adult one, so don’t expect there to be a lot of fabulously large and intricate verbage. However, Rhiannon is an excellent writer so you will not think for a second that this book was written by a rookie. The characters and the story are extremely complex so it takes skill to keep it all organized and easy to follow. The author does that with ease. I can’t stand a poorly edited book and thank goodness this book is very well edited. That alone would mark the book down a few ratings for me. That is how much I loathe a crappy edited book.

Action/Suspense


There is a pretty decent amount of action in this book. Since it is a serial series, the books will vary with the level of action depending on where you are at in the storyline. But at all times, you have a sense of suspense and mystery which holds your interest throughout the book. I am an action junkie, so to keep me happy you need to keep me interested. Action and suspense is the way to do that. I do like other books like romance and what not, but suspense novels are my absolute favorite! Because the action varies in each book in this series, I rate this one as being 4 instead of 5 stars, I suspect it was setting up for some major action scenes for the rest of Season 2.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?

Of FREAKIN COURSE I WOULD! This series is what I recommend. You definitely cannot just hop into this book and understand what is going on so you would have to read the first season before attempting this book. It is worth it and if you have never read a serial series, this one is a great one to start with. I am not sure how many seasons there will be but I can tell you I will be buying each book on the exact day it is released. That is how much I love this series. I won’t do a review for each and every book, just at the end of the season. I just wanted to get a review out for my fans to remind them to start this series. Take a chance, you might just enjoy it! Season 1 is available as one book right now so pick it up!