The One (The Selection #3)

Whew...what a read!  I don't want to give too much away but for those of you who are romantics like I am, who also love twists and turns, and of course love our feisty America and moral compass, The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass will not disappoint!  Cass wraps up her trilogy masterfully and gives readers a sense of hope in our constantly dysfunctional world.

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And 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 realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

Let me just start by saying, I have absolutely not idea how writers keep everything straight!  Like all the little details...it's incredible.  Cass will pull something out from The Selection (The Selection #1) or The Elite (The Selection #2) and makes readers stop and think, "oh right, that happened."  Master of her cart that Cass.  So beyond her impeccable attention to detail Cass was able to write a clear and loud voice for America that stayed relatively steady throughout the series.  

America has got to be one of my favorite leading ladies if only for her flair for the dramatics and her clever ways to get around King Clarkson time and time again.  I can feel her struggle and confusion around Prince Maxon and Aspen.  One one hand she has familiarity of a boy she thought she had a forever with and on the other hand she has a prince who snuck in unexpectedly and turned her world and heart upside-down.  So who will she choose?  

The world building continues in The One and I loved how it really showcases the differences between life in the palace and life beyond with the rebels and how that line is becoming more and more blurred as the conflict starts to seep within the walls of Illea. It's a good social/political discussion and makes us all pause to think about the differences between classes and how that either empowers people or disenfranchises and that unbalance can lead to unrest and that unrest to rebellion.  

The overlying plot, however, is mainly centered around the selection process and the growing relationship between America and Prince Maxon.  Can either ever fully trust the other?  Would you?  I have always wondered how those girls of The Bachelorette do it, knowing that every night he's cuddling with other girls.  That is of course America's concern as well.  How does she know that she can trust Maxon when he could very well be doing the exact same things and saying the same words to the remaining ladies?  On Maxon's side too, he know's America has a past and has loved, and can someone really love him for him despite all the chains and responsibilities of palace life?  Will they both be able to open their hearts fully to another or does a certain soldier *cough* Aspen *cough* still hold the key to America's heart?

All in all, a really wonderful read and wrap up to the series.  I could not have ended it better in my head.  I for one, was complete happy and at peace for how Cass closed up The Selection Series.  Bravo!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented author.