THE SELECTION SERIES 1-3 (THE SELECTION; THE ELITE; THE ONE) PLUS THE GUARD AND THE PRINCE.
KIERA CASS
COPYRIGHT
First published in the USA by HarperTeen,
an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. in 2012
First published in paperback in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2012
HarperCollins Children’s Books
A division of HarperCollinsPublishersLtd,
77-85 Fulham Palace Road,
Hammersmith, London W6 8JB
Kiera Cass asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of the work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
The Selection
Text copyright © 2012 by Kiera Cass
Jacket art © 2012 by Gustavo Marx/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Jacket design by Sarah Hoy.
The Elite
Text copyright © 2013 by Kiera Cass
Jacket art © 2013 by Gustavo Marx/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Jacket design by Erin Fitzsimmons.
The One
Text copyright © 2014 by Kiera Cass
Jacket art © 2014 by Gustavo Marx/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Jacket design by Erin Fitzsimmons.
The Prince
Text copyright © 2014 by Kiera Cass
Jacket art © 2014 by Gustavo Marx/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Jacket design by Erin Fitzsimmons.
The Guard
Text copyright © 2014 by Kiera Cass
Jacket art © 2014 by Gustavo Marx/Merge Left Reps, Inc. Jacket design by Erin Fitzsimmons.
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Ebook Edition © AUGUST 2014 ISBN: 9780008106089
Version: 2014-08-28
Contents
About the Publisher
Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgments
“One can never help being born into perfection,” I whispered.
He came close, wrapping an arm around my waist so that we faced each other. His nose tickled mine. He ran his fingers across my cheek so gently it seemed he was afraid I would break.
“No, I don’t suppose you can,” he breathed.
With his hand holding my face toward his, he lowered his lips to mine and gave me the faintest whisper of a kiss.
Something about the tentativeness of it made me feel beautiful. Without a word, I could understand how excited he was to have this moment, but then afraid at the same time. And deeper than any of that, I sensed that he adored me.
Hi, Dad!
*waves*
WHEN WE GOT THE LETTER in the post, my mother was ecstatic. She had already decided that all our problems were solved, gone forever. The big hitch in her brilliant plan was me. I didn’t think I was a particularly disobedient daughter, but this was where I drew the line.
I didn’t want to be royalty. And I didn’t want to be a One. I didn’t even want to try.
I hid in my room, the only place to avoid the chattering of our full house, trying to come up with an argument that would sway her. So far, I had a solid collection of my honest opinions … I didn’t think there was a single one she would