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laughlinesandliterature 's review for:
Elite
by Rachel Van Dyken
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I really liked the Elite. It was definitely not what I was expecting when I started it, but I found myself really liking Trace.
Trace was just a girl from rural Wyoming, but there was something that seemed off from the beginning. This poor girl goes through hell from the beginning to the end of the book. I wanted Trace to just catch a break, she seemed to be surrounded by some morally questionable people. It frustrated me through a large part of the book that no one would step up to help her. Not even Monroe who is supposed to be her best friend and roommate. Everyone gave excuses, but that's all they were, even if they couldn't intervene directly they could have done a lot behind the scenes.
Nixon is an ass, and I did end up liking him only because although he was the cause of most of Trace's problems, he also was the one who did the most. Plus, he at least tried to give her hints and explanations for what was going on. She didn't understand because she didn't grow up with him, but you could see he at least tried.
The only thing that takes this from a 4 star rating down to a 3 star rating was the love triangle. It just felt incredibly forced, especially because Trace and Chase felt more like siblings. Trace doesn't even really notice Chase like that, she feels bad because she knows he has feelings for her, but it isn't because she loves him like she loves Nixon. I don't think it's ever going to be an issue, the next book will try to play it up to cause drama but ultimately I think Trace will be with Nixon.
I really liked the Elite. It was definitely not what I was expecting when I started it, but I found myself really liking Trace.
Trace was just a girl from rural Wyoming, but there was something that seemed off from the beginning. This poor girl goes through hell from the beginning to the end of the book. I wanted Trace to just catch a break, she seemed to be surrounded by some morally questionable people. It frustrated me through a large part of the book that no one would step up to help her. Not even Monroe who is supposed to be her best friend and roommate. Everyone gave excuses, but that's all they were, even if they couldn't intervene directly they could have done a lot behind the scenes.
Nixon is an ass, and I did end up liking him only because although he was the cause of most of Trace's problems, he also was the one who did the most. Plus, he at least tried to give her hints and explanations for what was going on. She didn't understand because she didn't grow up with him, but you could see he at least tried.
The only thing that takes this from a 4 star rating down to a 3 star rating was the love triangle. It just felt incredibly forced, especially because Trace and Chase felt more like siblings. Trace doesn't even really notice Chase like that, she feels bad because she knows he has feelings for her, but it isn't because she loves him like she loves Nixon. I don't think it's ever going to be an issue, the next book will try to play it up to cause drama but ultimately I think Trace will be with Nixon.