When I picked up The Selection about a week ago, I wasn't expecting to like it. Based off a few reviews it seemed to contain a lot of elements I would hate. But I actually ended up enjoying it, surprisingly. I definitely had some issues with the story, but I enjoyed it for what it was because my expectations weren't that high. I pretty much thought The Elite would be similar. In many ways, it was. 
 These books are very easy to read. They're short, and though the writing isn't stellar, it works just fine and I could read them both in one sitting (or two) apiece. But my main problem with the Elite was that it seemed to take everything I thought was wrong with the Selection and multiply it by two. These issues are the following: 
 (1) America Singer. This girl has to be the most infuriating protagonist I have read in a long time. At first, she was merely a bit irritating. But in this sequel I pretty much hated her. Her only redeeming quality was her desire to rid the world of its unfair chaste system. She constantly flip-flops back and forth between Maxon and Aspen. And she was like a broken record, repeating the same thing over: "I need more time." I could have accepted that maybe once, but about the eighth millionth time it happened I could not stop rolling my eyes. 
 (2) For a series so focused on the love triangle, it seems incredibly one-sided. The only time America goes to see Aspen is when Maxon is A) Gone or B) Fighting with her. She strings Aspen along, and I thought that was pretty cruel because I never really felt like he was going to win. Though why he'd want to is beyond my ability to fathom in the first place. 
 (3) It was difficult to take the King and Queen seriously when their palace was being attacked every other day by rebels. They either need to up palace security or move away. They just don't feel like very strong figures of authority, which is disappointing because apparently the King is now a villain. 
 (4) I get why the rebels were taking books based off the plot, but you'd think they'd stop off in the kitchen for food since they were supposed to be starving. 
 (5) And one instance in particular I wanted to mention: America gets really angry with Maxon upon finding him kissing another girl in the competition, but it was hard to feel sorry for her. Maxon has basically been asking America for a commitment since the end of the last book but she won't give him an answer. 
 The best thing about this book is the prince. I genuinely like Maxon and think he's pretty sweet. I just really wish he had a better love interest. Though this book irritated me immensely, I have invested enough time in the series as a whole to want to finish it. I might as well see who she picks in the end. And I may be just a little bit in love with these covers. 
 2.5 stars