The Selection

This book was cliche as all get out. Nothing special about it. The plot was boring and predictable and I did not care about any of the characters. Hard pass.

The Selection by Kiera Cass is unlike any book I’ve ever read. Reminiscent of The Bachelor in setup, but taking place in a post-war world, the novel follows a young woman named America whose life is suddenly uprooted when, after applying for what is perhaps the most prestigious event in the entire country, she is selected to be part of The Selection: a journey in which thirty-five young women will find not only themselves, but the man of their dreams.

For America, who goes into The Selection heartbroken from a recent breakup while at the same time hopeful for her future, she feels this may be a chance to give back to the family that has loved her so much. What she doesn’t realize is that her journey will change her, for what seems to be the better.

This book is incredibly hard to describe without going into intricate detail about the world-building and the methods at which Kiera Cass created it. For that reason, I will simply say that, at it’s heart, The Selection is a novel about one young woman coming to find what she wants rather than what the world expects of her. One line—I choose me—rings true in the darkest hours of the final pages, and though many would believe this novel to be a one-trick pony based simply on its pretense, its world-building and ability to inspire tension through events not relating to the romantic overtones is enough to immediately mark this as a contender among great young adult novels.

Addicting, harrowing, saddening at times and joyous at others, The Selection is an unstoppable novel, one which fans of romance and post-war worlds will instantly fall in love with.

“One can never help being born into perfection.”

World’s worst character name goes to...*Drumroll*…America Singer! Congratulations Mer, you earned it. It took me pretty much the whole book to adjust to her name. And FINALLY around 60% they give a reason for why she was named America. Makes it much easier for me to deal with, even though it didn’t make me hate her name any less. Of course there’s much more to a book than character names.

The banter and conversations between America and Maxon felt fun to me. They sound like countless conversations I’ve had in my life. I read a few reviews that called the dialogue unrealistic and I just laughed. Maybe to you, but not to me.

My guilty pleasure has always been reality tv. I have a habit of saying oh goodness that show looks stupid, then proceeding to put it on and bingewatch the whole season. When I heard what this was about I was so excited, reality tv in a book? Count me in! I can see why people may have found the book unlikable or annoying but it was fun for me. It was my guilty pleasure in a whole new form. The contestants you root for and the ones you want to stab are in the book. And with the setting being a competition you always wonder if you can really trust the others.

My only big complaint about the book was how long it took to get a real description of how the world came into being. I believe it was at 63% before they explained everything that had happened to create the new world Illea. Up until that point I was like I love this, but how the heck did it come to this caste system and monarchy in what used to be the USA?

Even if I hated every other aspect of the book, which I didn’t, I would have still loved Maxon. He’s sweet, clueless, funny, and next in line to rule the country. I felt like another contestant who was unnoticed by the prince and was jealous of all the attention he gave to America. NOTICE ME MAXON, PLEASE!

Yes a lot of people stated that this is a book that’s all fluff, no substance. Sometimes that’s what I want. I had a terribleweek and wanted to enjoy a book, get lost in a world where I’m not cleaning floors and having back pain. And this book did that. I don’t generally pick up a YA reality tv-esque book when I want substance. Though I wouldn’t be upset if it offered that as well. So to sum up, this book brought me the relaxing evening away from my worries that I was hoping for when I opened it up.

This review can be found on my blog https://booksnacksblog.wordpress.com/

The Selection had one of those qualities where you pick up a book, read a few chapters, then tell yourself you will stop after a few more. And a few more. And a few more. And a few more, just until you’re finished. I can’t pinpoint exactly the ‘why’ this happens, it just does. But it could definitely be attributed to (for me, anyway):

-Plot. This book is categorized as a dystopia and romance, but other than the caste system, and a government/royalty ruling over a country, and rebels, The Selection is not as much a dystopia as a romance. But that was all right with me. The romance part of it was just so sweet, and the story was written in such a way I just got wrapped up in it.

-Love triangle. I really enjoyed the love triangle. Say what you will about love triangles, the love triangle in The Selection really worked for the good here. It added more complexity to the plot and characters, not to mention that the love interests in the love triangle are swoon-worthy characters! Maxon’s sweet and caring nature is really cute, and Aspen’s ‘protecting the damsel’ thing works for him too (although I’m Team Maxon).

-Characters. America was a strong female lead, though she has her faults. She comes off as a bit whiny in some parts, and her confusion between Aspen and Maxon was also a bit annoying some times, but overall she was a good protagonist.

At the end of the book, I was dying to know more. Luckily for me, the second book, The Elite was released by the time I started reading The Selection, so I didn’t have to wait long to jump on the next book! If you like romance in a dystopian setting, love triangles, and an unputadownable (even though that’s not a word) book, The Selection is definitely a recommended read!

The selection was an amazing read, heard a lot about it but didn't know it was this amazing. first of all the characters was well written, totally love prince maxon and aspen, can't decide which one I like best. and lots of drama happens in this book which makes it interesting and the love triangle is amazing, cant wait to read the next book in the series. A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR KIERA CASS, AMAZING

This book has a really amazing and overwhelming plot but the writing style made me feel bored. the characters are very unique and has an interesting plot

First of all I love the cover of this book series. I knew once I read what this book was about that it was a book for me. Princes, princesses and love stories just a few of my favorite things. I also am a huge a fan of reality TV so I really enjoyed the whole selection process (similar to The Bachelor).

I really fell in love with the characters in this story. America is a fiery girl who doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. I really commend her for being a straight shooting girl who stands up for what she believes in. Then there is Prince Maxon who doesn't like a prince? I instantly fell in love with him. I really loved the relationship between Prince Maxon and America. America taking part in the selection to help her family out and Maxon is there to find his wife and future princess of Illea. America is hoping to not be selected by the Prince and she has no problem making that point known to him. Seeing there relationship develop just made me sigh and wish upon a star for a Prince of my own.

I do love Dystopian novels. However this book isn't so much about Dystopia as it about the love story and the selection of the new princess. They live in a world where America(USA) has fallen to China. But the story is about so much more. I would recommend this book even if you aren't a fan of Dystopian novels. If you love a good love story then this one is for you.

Can't wait for the sequel.

I did not expect to love this book. I mean, LOVE. I read both The Selection and The Elite within twelve hours. I couldn't put it down, and stayed up in the morning hours, just like Kiera Cass warned in her afterword.

America (protagonist) is living in the world after America (U.S.A) falls to China, regains its independence, and is ruled by a monarchy. In the new society, things are governed by a caste system. If you a one you are royalty. If you are a six you are servant. If you are an eight, you are considered criminal and an outcast. America is a five, which means her family are all artists, and dependent on the upper castes for income. Which also means they do not have a surplus to eat. Even worse, America is in love with a six named Aspen, who battles hunger to feed his younger siblings. There love seems almost impossible, because marrying a lower caste is highly unusual.

Then, a chance for a different kind of life is given to America. She could become a one, a princess, if she enters the selection. The Selection is where 35 girls are chosen, move to the palace, and one marries Prince Maxon. Although she does not want to answer, Aspen actually encourages her and her family would not worry about food anymore. She enters and is selected.

Upon arrival, America does not expect to bond with some of the other girls, and she definitely does not expect to like Prince Maxon. They agree to be friends, but the reader can clearly see their relationship blossoming, even when America can't. To make matters worse, Aspen is assigned to guard duty in the castle, and America becomes even more torn.

The novel ends with America being told that she makes "The Elite", which is the final eight.

Think I gave a lot away? This novel has so much more in it! I read a lot of books, and it has been a long time since I liked one this much. Definitely a must read!

Note: As I do not read any reviews on the books I read before I write my own, I had no idea about the controversy surrounding this book and the author. The rating is solely based on my opinion of the book and that alone.

Well, what can I say about this book? I had so many mixed emotions about it, its hard to put what I want to say in words. There were some things I LOVED about it, but there were other things I HATED about it. But there were so many people talking about it that I just had to give it a try. Yes I fell victim to the hype.
This isn't something I would typically have on my radar because I'm not really into dystopians, but because it wasn't like hardcore, all about the different world building, I decided to give it a try. In The Selection, America is NOT hoping to to be Selected. She wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with her love Aspen. Unfortunately Aspen is in a lower caste and wants better for America. He leaves her broken hearted, making her promise to sign up for the Selection. Suddenly America becomes one of the Selected and is whisked away to the palace where she meets Prince Maxon. He makes her want things she never knew she wanted in the first place.
Ok, this may sound stupid, but I love the show The Bachelor (yes I watch reality tv... so what?!) and this is what it reminded me of. I really felt like I was reading a season worth of it. I also liked the idea of the futuristic USA. As I stated, I'm not a huge fan of dystopians, but because of the romance in this one it balanced out for me. And with Cass giving a history of the country (Il'lea) I wasn't completely lost about what happened before hand or what was causing them to do things so differently now. As for the romance, I LOVED Prince Maxon. He is so genuine and sweet. And although the romance is getting more heated between Prince Maxon and America, it didn't seem to be rushed. Especially with the conditions that America sets with Maxon when she first gets there.
What I didn't like was the world building and the writing style. I wanted to know so many more details about the palace and what it looked like and other treasures it held. It seemed as if the story was held in the same rooms; the dining hall, the Women's Room, and America's room. It would have been nice to see more of the grounds. As for the writing style, I think it lacked emotion. Although America is so distraught about losing Aspen, I didn't feel that in the story. Then when she began to have feelings for Maxon, I didn't feel that either. I didn't feel much of anything from or for America. She seemed indecisive and like a hypocrite. She criticized Marlee about something, but wasn't she doing the exact same thing? I'm just saying....
In all, this story isn't too bad, but I'm not sure it lived up to the praise that everyone put on it. But, with that being said, I will be continuing on with the series in hopes that she comes to her senses and sees that Aspen is a jerk and Maxon is who she needs in life!