Title: The One (The Selection #3)
Author: Kiera Cass
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 336
Source: Bought

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

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 Thoughts:  
I've had a love/hate relationship with the Selection series in the past, but The One was such a satisfyingly well done finale! America has shown such growth as a character since The Selection that the problems I had with the previous novels just didn't really apply anymore. While I don't think I'll ever be comfortable with the concept of one person dating many others at the same time, I really did always try to not let it detract from my enjoyment of this series. 

America's compassion has always been one of her strongest attributes, even if the consequences mean facing the king's wrath, as we learned in The Elite. She fights for the castes who don't have a voice, understanding the poverty that many of them will never escape. And while America seemed to have a better idea of how to use her position as one of the Elite to help counter the rebels and bring equality to her people, her romantic life was still very much complicated. America was hesitant to admit her feelings about Maxon in order to protect her vulnerable heart, but she was also still keeping her past relationship with Aspen a secret and someone was bound to be hurt when the truth was revealed.

What I really loved about America in The One is that instead of constantly doubting herself, she finally decides to fight back — not just for Maxon's heart, but for her country too. It really annoyed before that all America seemed to do was wallow and cry instead of taking advantage of the incredible opportunity she had been given. Don't get me wrong, there were still a few times when America frustrated me, but I really thought she displayed much more strength, maturity, and leadership in The One!

When I reached the end of the novel, I had a ridiculous happy smile on my face. Kiera Cass found a way to perfectly conclude the trilogy! Sacrifices were made and lives were lost, but I just knew that everything would work out in the end. Even though The One is the final novel in the trilogy, you get the feeling the characters are still living beyond the pages... and that's the best kind of feeling when you finish a series.

I've included the book trailer for Kiera Cass's The One below. Enjoy!