The Queen seems to find it amusing to watch them too. There's a light and fun activity the girls busy themselves with in the Palace as due to southern rebels it is too dangerous to be outside.

We see more of the interaction between the four girls and Queen Amberly in this book too. they recognise a kindred spirit within America, they want to dissolve the caste system and make a more equal society. It seems the norther rebels have taken a liking to America's more open, and fairer ways. In this book, we meet northern rebels August & Georgia, who mysteriously find their way into the palace and speak to Prince Maxon & America. The King still dislikes America, however is opinion is swayed when the public seem to warm to her and appreciate her small deviations from official protocol and the fact she is from a lower caste.

Silvia is still giving the girls etiquette lessons, coaching them how to converse with foreign dignitaries and teaching them how to behave around the King and Queen Amberly. In fact, America does worry how she could cope without either of them. America doesn't know how to tell either Aspen or Prince Maxon what she has decided. America is still recovering from a state on confusion about who she really wants to be with, Aspen or Prince Maxon. I don't consider myself to be particularly girly but even I appreciated the detailed descriptions that Kiera Cass used to describe the beautiful gowns the four remaining girls wore, as well as the gorgeous jewellery they are gifted by Prince Maxon. Though she admits she doesn't love Prince Maxon she believes love would grow between them Celeste ~ the diva who wants fame, glamour and all that comes with being a Princess Then there is Kriss ~ considered the sweetheart, who makes it know she already loves the Prince, but Kriss seems to have a sharper darker side, is she hiding something, or is it just nerves? Life in the Palace is naturally becoming more tense as the time nears when Prince Maxon must choose his bride.

The four remaining 'contestants' are America, Elise ~ the perfectionist, who would be happy to be chosen by Prince Maxon as she has been brought up to be obedient and totally accepts the concept of an arranged marriage. As soon as you begin reading this one, it's straight back into the action and drama of a rebel attack. I really loved the dedication at the beginning of this book, as I felt it was really relevant to incidents within it. Would the cover alone make me pick this book up from a book store shelf? Yes, though its a rather girly cover, the byline would make me want to know more.

The one kiera cass