The One (The Selection, #3) by Kiera Cass: An Unexpected Ride
When Kiera Cass announced the final chapter of The Selection series, I couldn’t resist diving back into the glittering world of America Singer, Maxon Schreave, and their royal escapades. I have a deep-seated love for dystopian love stories draped in gowns and tiaras, and this book’s tantalizing premise reeled me in once again. But as I turned the pages, I couldn’t help but feel caught in a whirlwind of emotions—mostly confusion, mirth, and a hefty dose of frustration.
The One opens with America and Maxon navigating their complicated relationship amidst an impending royal decision. The stakes rise with the lurking rebels, whose motivations are as unclear as my thoughts after too many late-night reads. While I found myself giggling at moments that felt borderline absurd, I also wondered if the plot was crafted in a fever dream. Seriously, who knew a heart attack could serve as the dramatic twist? One moment, everything is lovey-dovey, and the next, tragedy strikes in a way that feels more like an intermission than part of a coherent storyline.
America, despite her previous waffling indecision in earlier books, finally shows growth—though it feels a bit abrupt. Gone are the days of infuriating choices; instead, we have a heroine ready to take a stand… occasionally. Meanwhile, Maxon flips between charming prince and confused boyfriend, which was amusing and maddening in equal measure. The nuances in their relationship felt at times realistic, yet other instances were riddled with clichés that left me exasperated. "Save yourself! Live and be happy!" could become a drinking game phrase at this point.
Kiera Cass’s writing style remains as light and whimsical as ever, but if I’m being honest, it sometimes veers into the territory of clunky. The dialogue feels contrived, and character motivations could use a good polish. Yet, there’s a guilty pleasure to it, akin to a deep-fried Oreo—tasty, but you can’t shake the feeling it’s lacking sustenance. I’m still pondering if the fervor with which I read this book stems from actual affection or sheer determination to see how bad it could get.
Let’s talk about that infamous epilogue—it elicited laughter and disbelief. “A cheesy letter from beyond the grave full of wisdom”? Spot on! I can’t decide if it was brilliance or a fittingly ridiculous end to this rollercoaster. Either way, it’s the kind of moment that sticks with you long after the final page is turned.
As for who might enjoy The One, I’d say if you’ve been a devoted follower of the series, you may still find joy in its absurdities and heartfelt moments. However, temper your expectations regarding plot coherence and character development. This book may not be a literary masterpiece, but for fans of sweet romance and royal drama, it offers some entertaining escapism.
In the end, I walked away from The One with a mixed bag of thoughts and laughs—did I love it or hate it? Perhaps it didn’t matter. Kiera Cass took us on an unexpected ride, and while I may not fully buy into the charms of this final instalment, I can’t deny it kept me turning pages, laughing, and rolling my eyes late into the night. So, cheers to the delightful chaos that is America and Maxon’s story—an intriguing yet ultimately baffling conclusion to a series that will have a place in my heart, quirks and all.
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