The Selection by Kiera Cass
Genre: YA Dystopian
Blurb (on back of book):
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
old review
UPDATED REVIEW
MY OPINION: *****
I first read this series back in seventh grade and I remember absolutely loving them. I just recently heard that a film was being made and I just had to reread the whole series and relive the experience. I thankfully ended up loving them just as much as before if only because of the nostalgia and happiness it brought me.
I feel as if The Selection series is one of those that you either absolutely love or absolutely hate. I can see why people would not like the series. It's fairly trashy and full of more fluff and awkward dialogue than any real action. It's basically the royal, dystopian, fancier version of The Bachelor. However, I loved it for all those reasons and more.
Illea is a brand new version of the United States after China and Russia invaded and took over and a general (by the name of Illea) saved the country. The society is divided into 8 castes, with Ones and Twos being the richest and best and the Eights being basically homeless and starving. It gives off Hunger Games vibes but with no killing and bloodshed involved.
America Singer was born into the fifth caste, making her a 5. This caste is full of the creative people such as the artists and musicians. She, quite ironically, is a singer though she is also talented at the piano and the violin. She is in love with Aspen Leger, a 6 and a caste lower than hers; this is a conflict because most girls marry up a caste to elevate their status. He is embarrassed and ashamed of his lack of money and food to provide for America should they be married. He forces her to sign up for The Selection and this changes both of their lives forever.
The Selection is basically The Bachelor with 35 main girls placed in a competition to win the hand of the royal Prince Maxon Schreave and become the next queen of Illea. While America is at first reluctant to sign up, she is finally persuaded by Aspen and her family to do so; she is confident she will not get picked.
Lo and behold, she is chosen as one of the thirty-five.
She has a prejudiced perspective of what the prince is going to be like. From what she's seen on TV, he's an arrogant, annoying, rich boy with zero personality or sense of humor.
Of course, the prince is nothing like that.
I adore Maxon Schreave with my entire heart. He is quite naive in certain instances, such as when he is in the presence of crying women or when learning about the living situation of the lower castes. This makes him all the more adorable and I just wanted to give him a hug. He is instantly drawn to America but she doesn't want to fully start anything with him because her heart is still with Aspen despite them being broken up. They agree to be friends but they seem to be drawing closer and closer as the book progresses. I love their relationship so much because not only is it a slow-burn but is also a part of a love triangle that America is stuck in the middle of.
Aspen Leger. How I wish I could love him. He has so much potential. He's like the Gale Hawthorne of The Selection. He loves America but he ended things with her before she was chosen because of silly, toxic-masculinity-related issues. I hated how he thought that he could just waltz back into her life and win her back when she had the possibility of marrying the PRINCE. If she had never been chosen, I obviously would have shipped her with Aspen but seeing as she had the option to marry the prince, I would have gone with Maxon all the way. Not just because he's a prince but also because he actually had a personality and cared about the girls and his kingdom.
I despised most of the other girls. They were all whiny, sniveling, annoying little girls who were so petty and aggravating half the time. I liked Marlee for the most part but her too-sweet personality started to get on my nerves by the end. Celeste was the antagonist for the most part and was the stereotypical mean girl who tried to sabotage everyone in her quest for victory.
I loved the maids, Lucy, Anne, and Mary! They were so loyal and trustworthy and had their own stories (especially Lucy) rather than just being background characters. I liked how America treated them. It showed how kind she truly was.
I am interested in learning more about the rebel attacks because I remember next to nothing about them and want to know the origins and goals.
I loved America's family. They were all so kind and loving, other than the older siblings. They had such a close relationship, especially America and May, and I loved that familial element being built in throughout the book despite them being far apart.
The writing is fairly simplistic and easy to understand. However, I liked how it was quick to read and easy to get through. I also liked the fair amount of humor and adorable moments there were. I highlighted a fair amount of lines, more so than I usually do when I read on Kindle.
I would recommend this book to readers looking for a dystopian romance series.
Main Character: America Singer
Sidekick(s): Maxon, Aspen, Marlee, Lucy, Anne, Mary, etc
Villain(s): Rebels, social status, Celeste, etc
Dystopian Elements: This book was set in a futuristic world.
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