Kiera Cass
HarperTeen
Published on May 6, 2014
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
About The One
The time has come for one winner to be crowned.
When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, 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.
My Review
I picked up The One because I needed a light read, and this The Bachelor meets Cinderella fit the bill. Sometimes the dialog gets a bit superficial, and a few times America comes off as selfish. She criticizes Maxon about his complex feelings for the other candidates when she harbors her own feelings for her childhood bestie, Aspen. But where The Elite left me frustrated by that hypocrisy, America finally faces the truth that she’ll have to choose between the two boys in The One. And not just choose between them—but face the fact that her secret-keeping might destroy any hope of happiness in her future.
The writing is a bit different, but I think this series might appeal to readers who like books by Melanie Dickerson or Victoria Aveyard. See below for content notes.
Cultural Elements
One of the girls America competes with is black and another is Asian.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used maybe eight or ten times.
Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. At one point, America invites a boy into her bed. They stop short of having sex, not wanting their first experience to be an impulsive moment. But they do spend the night together.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violent Content
Rebels attack and kill citizens. The king pressures the remaining Selection candidates to condemn criminals to harsh, violent punishments.
Drug Content
None.
