Crusin' Through a Series: The Selection and the Elite by Kiera Cass

 I was just making fun of some girlfriends who wanted to get together to watch the Bachelorette, and pish poshing the show... when I thought about The Selection and The Elite by Kiera Cass, basically Hunger Games meets the Bachlorette.  Here comes a double review because essentially these books are just chapters in one story, but if you are going to get all worked up about SPOLIERS...walk away now.

The Selection: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

The Elite: Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

To be clear... NOTHING above is a spoiler- a 5 year old could have guessed a sequel was coming about 100 pages into The Selection.....

• Originality: 6/2.  Those 6 points are for the first part of the book, which had some very cool promise about castes, young love, and hardship in a  struggling world.... then it gets squelched as it turns into a beauty contest. 9-- the 100% predictability of America's feelings for the Prince, struggle with Aspen, and general love of pretty dresses.
• Absurdity: 9. Can the main character's mood swings be the basis for an absurdity rating?  Well, there is a first time for everything.  For crying out loud America, pull it TOGETHER.  She needs a tough friend with some tough love, not some maids who dote on her.
• Level of Paranormal Romance: 8.  High, only not higher because of an equal amount of love for the pretty clothes and fancy food.
• Level of Harry-Potterness: 3.  These books are not well written, though cool in concept (and with beautiful covers).  I still crushed these while in airports and at the beach...  I think the America you were beginning to like in book 1 is totally overwhlemed by petty-girl-fights for the Prince.  sigh.   Will I read the next one.  YES, but I promise there will be eye rolls....