America and her maids are looking at costume designs and posing for a camera man, because apparently the book just now remembered that this is all supposed to be a publicized competition. 

I really can’t get over how utterly shallow and unconcerned America is.  Last chapter they all talked about how the war they’re in is going badly, and America called for a volunteer army.  She basically advocated for backing off and ignoring the war and being concerned with your own loved ones and own life.  And now, in the middle of a failing war, instead of showing some prudence and self-sacrifice, she’s ADVERTISING the fact that she’s all “wheeee, sequins!”  How has the whole country not risen up and put this moronic ruling class down already?  Even that first king guy was like “Naw, bro, this is whack, we’re spending all this money and showing off when the war just decimated everyone.  That’s, like, rude and shit.”

Only, you know, eloquently.

Why is there no rationining?  Why are there no victory gardens?  Why aren’t there shortages and concerns about paying for all this, and labor problems from so many people being drafted?  If the book didn’t continually tell me that they were at war, I’d have no idea they were at war, because none of the war stuff is actually being shown.  Which wouldn’t be so bad if only they’d stop insisting that it’s a big deal and also losing means no more Illea.

Clearly they don’t care if their country gets eaten.  And good riddance.

Maxon shows up and they talk about costume ideas.  America mentions that she’s preferring the bird costume idea.  Maxon says that Celeste is going bird, too, so America gives up on the idea.

Because that’s just the kind of girl America is.  She doesn’t stick to her guns or have convictions or even just do things because she wants to and screw everyone else.  Nope.  Not at all.  She’s as malleable as the fucking wind.

Maxon mentions that his father is eager for another elimination, but still no one will tell us why.  So after Maxon meets all the families at the party, someone is going to get sent packing.

America gets upset that Maxon is wandering off to visit all the other girls, too, so yeah.  That big “important” moment from last chapter?  I was right.  It had no significance at all.  Nothing has changed, and America is back to whinging about the exact same things.

America gives us a riveting summary of her week full of party preparations, because that’s what this book really cares about.  Endless repetition of the same romance angst, and palace luxuries.

Why is there a war going on at all?

They have dancing lessons.  Oh, book, tell me more!

Obnoxiously enough, Celeste was the epitome of gracefulness.

Yes, that bitch.  How dare she be good at stuff.

More than once the instructors asked her to help others in the room, the result of which was Natalie nearly twisting her ankle because of Celeste’s intentionally poor guidance.  Smooth as a snake, Celeste faulted Natalie’s two left feet for her problems […] and Natalie laughed it all off.

You know what, America?  Maybe you’re just a horrible person.

See, it’s really hard to take America seriously here.  First, because she’s been nothing but spiteful for two books now, and so I’m inclined to not believe her.  Second, because no one else seems to agree with her.  After all, being a good dancer doesn’t mean Celeste is a good teacher, and unless America suddenly developed mindreading powers, she can’t know Celeste did that on purpose.  And if Natalie really is bad, then of course she could trip herself up.  America insists that she knows the truth, but America is a hateful little shit who jumps at any opportunity to bad-mouth Celeste.

Aspen shows up to be a practice dance partner, and America admits (to us) that she’s been so obsessed over Maxon that she didn’t think about him for weeks.  Now that he’s back in front of her, she’s thinking about him!

Fuck, she should end up with no one.  Judging by what we know of her, she’ll forget about both inside of a month so long as she’s not interacting with them.  Get her a cat and save us all the misery.