The Elite

The Elite (2013) is the second book in the New York Times best-selling Selection series by American author Kiera Cass. Following the first book, The Selection (2012)—which brings 35 girls from all over the country of Illéa to contend for the hand of Prince Maxon—America Singer, the prince’s favorite, is among the six remaining girls competing to become the princess and future queen. As rebels threaten the palace and competition among the girls intensifies, America must decide who has her heart: Maxon, who professes to care for America but divides his attention among the other girls, or Aspen, her childhood love, a palace guard, who remains devoted to her. The Selection series, aimed at young adults, includes five novels, concluding with The Crown (2016), and several spin-off novels that examine themes of romance, power, and coming of age in a luxurious setting amid monarchical, vaguely dystopian governments.

This guide refers to the HarperTeen edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss domestic violence, abuse, and miscarriage.

Plot Summary

In the country of Illéa, formed out of the fallen United States, the Selection is a custom where girls from all over the country are brought to the palace to compete to be chosen by the crown prince as his princess.