Review of The One (The Selection, #3) by Kiera Cass
When I first picked up Kiera Cass’s The One, I must admit it felt like a guilty pleasure—like biting into a deep-fried Oreo. There’s something so tantalizingly sweet about a royal romance set against a dystopian backdrop, and I was ready to dive into the majesty of it all, while cringing at the cliches lurking in the shadows. But as I flipped through the pages late into the night—possibly fuelled by too much caffeine and way too little sleep—I found myself questioning my sanity more than my literary tastes.
From the outset, The One is ambitious, attempting to tie up the tangled web of love and rebellion established in the earlier books of the series. Notably, the main characters—Aspen, America, and Maxon—continue to wrestle with their complicated relationships. America Singer has evolved from a waffling protagonist to someone with a clearly defined sense of purpose, though her romantic decisions often felt abrupt and jarring. Did her growth feel organic, or more like a poorly executed plot twist? That’s a lingering question for me.
One of the most striking elements of Cass’s writing is her knack for engaging dialogue, though it occasionally strays into the territory of melodrama. The witty exchanges, peppered with humor, provided what I can only describe as a ‘guilty laugh’—like the moment a major character unexpectedly meets their sticky end, and suddenly I found myself chuckling at what should have been a tearful scene. The sharp contrasts between these moments made the pacing uneven, resulting in a reading experience that felt as chaotic as America’s emotions.
Of course, we can’t overlook the book’s themes—loyalty, love, and the struggle for freedom. But the plot itself ultimately left me underwhelmed. The introduction of two rebel factions felt cartoonish, like a poorly scripted soap opera. America and Maxon’s mission to thwart the “bad rebels” gets convoluted, leading to ridiculous plot holes that left me questioning if I’d picked up a serious novel or an overly dramatic series finale mock-up. The reliance on cliches didn’t help either—every twist seemed to echo something I’d read before.
Despite these frustrations, Cass does hold moments of genuine beauty, with character growth that shines through when it matters most. And yes, I’d be lying if I claimed I wasn’t entertained; there’s a certain addiction to the series as a whole that’s akin to junk food—irresistible, though lacking in nourishment. There’s also an epilogue in the final pages that, while cheesy, had me laughing in surprised delight at its sheer audacity.
In conclusion, The One is a rollercoaster of a book that mixes enchanting romance with frustrating plotlines. Readers who enjoy light, youthful romances peppered with wit will likely find enjoyment in this concluding volume of The Selection. However, those craving coherent world-building or profound character development may want to tread carefully. For me, this book is a reminder of why I initially fell for Cass’s world—its charm and allure—yet it also makes me ponder if the price of sweetness sometimes comes with a side of disappointment.
If you’re curious, like me, to see how it all ends despite the chaos, dive in—but perhaps keep a snack handy; you’ll need it for those improbable twists!
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