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The One Book Review
I’d probably title this review “YA Book Review: The One – Wishing for More Political Drama and Less Character Focus.” But, let’s dive into it. Yes, I had mixed feelings about this book, and you’ll soon see why.
“The One” is the last book in Kiera Cass’s “The Selection Trilogy,” which also includes “The Selection” and “The Elite.” There’s a follow-up series too, starting with “The Heir.” It’s Kiera Cass’s debut series and fits well into the young adult dystopian genre. I got curious because it was pitched as “The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor,” and I wanted to see what the buzz was about, especially since it’s based on the biblical story of Queen Esther.
The series is set in Ilea, a nation formed after the Fourth World War, where the former United States used to be. Society is divided into castes, with ones being royalty and eights being laborers. When the prince is ready to marry, eligible women enter a lottery, and one from each of the 35 provinces competes in “The Selection” for his hand. This competition narrows down to “The Elite,” from whom the prince will choose his bride.
Our protagonist, America Singer, is a five. Her mother enters her into the Selection, and she catches the eye of Prince Maxon. However, there’s political unrest with rebel attacks, a harsh king, and America’s torn feelings between Maxon and her first love, Aspen (a six who broke her heart). If you haven’t read the first two books, there are some spoilers ahead. Let’s take a closer look at how “The Selection Trilogy” wraps up with “The One.”
Okay, straight-up, the love triangle was pretty frustrating for me. In the first book, I understood America’s dilemma—being torn between her old life as a five and her new world with Maxon. She clung to Aspen because he was a part of her old world, even though he had caused her pain. That made sense. But then it became all about her being stuck between two men, rather than two worlds.
I wished America had been more honest with Maxon. I understand she was dating a guy who had 34 other girls, but he trusted her, so it would’ve been nice if she trusted him back. Maxon even told her she could just say the word, and he’d pick her, so the other girls were more like backups. Then there’s Aspen, who becomes a two after joining the palace guard, so technically he’s not part of her old world anymore. The love conflict could have been resolved much earlier, which would’ve left more room for the fascinating political backdrop and the relationships among the girls in The Selection.
Regardless of my issues with the storyline, I did enjoy the world Cass built. With shades of “The Hunger Games” and “The Giver,” it’s a fun, intriguing mix. The idea of The Selection as a nation-wide morale booster and a form of entertainment was a cool twist too.
However, I found myself craving more background on Ilea, its politics, and more details about the Northern and Southern Rebels. This desire probably stems from America’s limited perspective as a five, as she wouldn’t be privy to all those stories.
But because of this, I often wanted to read the hinted-at stories more than the main plot. There are so many political undercurrents: the Southern Rebels trying to kill everyone, the Northern Rebels wanting to dissolve the caste system and supporting Maxon, secret support networks, the hidden heir of Ilea’s founder offering support to Maxon—it’s all very dynamic! Yet, America often seemed more preoccupied with whether Maxon might choose another girl or hurting Aspen’s feelings. Sigh.
I understand America’s pain and indecision. Her heartbreak is real, and the romance is central to the plot since it’s all about The Selection. But I wished she could’ve told us more about her country and the people she interacted with. Most of the other girls in The Selection didn’t feel substantial to me. There were some notable exceptions, but in general, I wanted less moping and more action and relationships.
That said, I loved when America was quietly subversive. She used her status to effect change, winning people’s hearts, gaining allies for the kingdom, and, of course, winning Prince Maxon’s heart. Her relationship with Maxon was sweet too. Even though America thought she was in a complicated love triangle, I felt Maxon’s choice was quite clear. Their relationship developed deeply and earnestly over the series, warranting the higher romance rating I ended up giving.
The dynamics among America and the other girls were fascinating too, though I wanted more. Cass captured the vulnerability of this setup—multiple women dating the same man under public scrutiny. Both America and Maxon’s struggles felt genuine. You really feel for Maxon, trying to pick a future wife out of 35 women while under the nation’s watchful eye.
The story’s conflict is well-thought-out; the girls fight, but there’s depth in the kingdom’s laws and the Rebel groups rising against them. Since we see the story from America’s point of view, we get her clear motivations, though we don’t always realize when she’s wrong until she figures it out herself. The series doesn’t shy away from hurt and loss, making it a realistic dystopian narrative.
“The One” had to tie up the trilogy’s loose ends, and it did well in covering major plot points without delving into spoilers here. Overall, it’s a satisfying conclusion to a series I think of akin to cotton candy—light, sweet, and enjoyable for a relaxed day.
Is “The Selection” my top YA dystopian series? Nope. Will I reread it? Probably. Am I anticipating “The Heir”? Absolutely—I’ve already bought it. So, mixed feelings it is.
If there were to be an adaptation, I think with Kiera Cass deeply involved, this could turn into an excellent film series. She could flesh out all the political intrigue and character depth hinted at in the books. I imagine Jane Levy as America, Logan Lerman as Aspen, William Moseley as Maxon, and Tom Felton as August. But that’s just my take—who would you cast?
How did you feel about the series and “The One”? Share your thoughts!
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This revision aims to make the text more fluid and engaging while adhering to your stipulations.
