Wowza, what DRAMA!

The One is slightly more fast-paced than The Selection and The Elite, which is good. After having two books with America dill-dallying over whether she loved Aspen or Maxon, and then not knowing whether she really wanted the Princess role along with the husband, it was a relief to read a book where for the first time, the reader knew exactly where her heart lay. But of course, America might be strong in some things but when it came to telling her object of affection her true feelings, she was too scared to put it out there first. I felt like grabbing her at some points and shaking her by the shoulders.

I was really happy to see how a character should as Celeste, who was despised for the first two books by readers (in my opinion) because of her actions, do a complete turn around. For the first time, we were able to see the shining, beautiful girl she was rather than the spiteful creature she had pretended to be. The One brings out such a closeness between the girls, and for the first time, I really felt that unity and it was nice to read something beyond a competition to win a boy.

I have read a lot of books, that contain a lot of deaths of beloved characters. Everytime a character dies, I feel a little piece of my heart breaking off but the scene with Celeste, those two lines were so brutal to me, that I gave a little gasp and I felt my heart shudder with the violence of her death. I think it shows some real credit to Cass's writing that I and I'm sure others could feel that way about a character who was so hated before. Celeste didn't deserve that kind of death.

I saw Aspen and Lucy coming from the first book though I was surprised at the strength of Aspen's feelings for Lucy. It was lovely though and how lovely was it, that Aspen was the one to give America away. I loved that. In the absence of her dad, I think he was the next best thing. And I just hope that Kota wasn't even invited.

I really can't WAIT for the fourth book, bring it on!!!!!