The Selection by Kiera Cass | Review

 Title: The Selection

 Author: Kiera Cass 

 Series: The Selection #1

 Genre: YA, Dystopian, 

 Page Count: 327

 Publication: April 24th, 2012

 Publisher: HarperTeen

 Format: Paperback

 Source: Owned

 

 

 

Summary: 

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.

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Okay, so I really enjoyed this book. I don’t think I can say it’s one of my favorites yet, but I did really love it. America Singer, the main character, if you’ve heard of her, you heard how annoying she can be, I personally didn’t see too much of it in this book, I mean it was there at times, but then again most people say she’s the most annoying in The Elite, so that’s something to look forward to. Anyways, then there’s Aspen and Prince Maxon and thus our love triangle begins , well it doesn’t really begin right away but nonetheless it’s there. I’m rooting for Maxon, I have been even before I met him, not to say I didn’t like Aspen because I do, but Maxon is just better. This is a Will vs Jem situation (though that love triangle was much better). Let’s talk about the plot and premise of the book, it’s et 300 years in the future apparently, there’s been 4 World Wars, China had taken over the US for some time, until this guy named something Illea saved the country, and it was then named after him. Now there are no longer presidents, we went back to the old ways with Monarchies, their is now a Royal family. The King, the Queen and their precious on Prince Maxon. When the prince comes of age, they host this competition called The Selection were every girl between the ages of I believe 16 and 20 could enter, then they picked out a total of 35 girls to enter The Selection, and the competition begins. America enters, because her boyfriend Aspen and her family want her to. She doesn’t think she’ll get picked, but she naturally does, and the story gets interesting. The story is really interesting, and keeps you interested. You’ve probably heard this before but yes it is somewhat like The Bachelor, only I think this is a lot more interesting and just better then The Bachelor (which is a show I can’t stand anymore). What else can I say? …. I definitely think this book is worth the read and I’m looking forward to the sequels. Is it a book I might re-read? Probably. Is it my favorite? No. Will I continue on with the series? Definitely.

I hope this helped you understand the story and maybe add it to your TBR if it wasn’t there already. 

Rating: (5 stars on Goodreads) 

Spoilers ↓

So the book starts off with them receiving the letter/ application form about/for The Selection. America doesn’t want to enter because she’s already in love and doesn’t want to be royal. She already says she hates the prince and all that. Then Aspen (her boyfriend) asks her to, because he doesn’t want to keep thinking what if for the rest of their lives. Aspen is a very proud person, he’s very set in his ways of how the guy should provide for the girl, blah blah blah, which I didn’t mind really, it wasn’t a turn off for his character. I do like Aspen, I really do, but I prefer Maxon, he’s just perfect, he’l like Prince Charming but he’s not shallow (like America thought) it was very easy to connect with him and start liking him. He’s really invested in his people and his country, and he’s caring, respectful, and vulnerable but he also has authority and power, and all that together is really amazing. I loved his and America’s relationship from the start, even when she was being rude to him, I could tell what kind of relationship this would be. They have something in there, an understanding, he’s so different from Aspen, and so is their relationship. I loved how they started off as friends, how America was totally honest with him, and he with her, and their friendship slowly grew into more. When he kissed her, that was beautiful, then the end when he kissed her again ♥ 

Then Aspen showed up, I figured he’d show up as a guard, they’d mention the draft earlier and I know there is two novella’s for this series, one of them titled The Guard and the other The Prince, so I think it was pretty obvious whom they each were about. When he walked into her room and they had their little”  I still love you” make-out session, I was so pissed. I never really got too attached to Aspen because like I said I already was team Maxon, I’m pretty sure she chooses him at the end, and when I did meet him, he didn’t disappoint, so I was so upset for America to be doing this to him. Also not forgetting the fact that it was illegal and could’ve gotten her killed. But in the end she slapped some sense into herself, and realized she couldn’t keep doing this, and I sure hope she doesn’t start up again in The Elite. I also hope that by the end of this Aspen isn’t portrayed as a douche, like what happened in Shatter Me. I want them to end on good terms, and that he finds happiness again (maybe Lucy or Marlee). 

America was so sweet to her maids, and I really liked her character, I was frustrated with her at points, but she was likeable. Marlee was super sweet and I like her too. The maids were great, That girl Ashley who got eliminated (naturally the girl who has my name gets eliminated first..) I liked her too. Then there’s Celeste, whom why is she even still here, I mean I heard his reasoning but still…                         Then also what’s Marlee’s secret? I really wanna know (don’t tell me lol, I’ll find out for myself when I get to it) 

So anyways, that’s all I’m going to say (:  Have you read this book? Share your thoughts xx