Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Series: The Selection Book 1
Book Summary: (via Goodreads)
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.
Characters: America, Maxon, and Aspen are the main characters. There are a ton of great secondary characters in this book!
Plot: In this dystopian country of what was once North America is now has a royal family and is ruled by a king. America is living with her family, trying to help support them and figure out to marry the boy she is in love with who is of a lower caste when the Selection is announced. The Selection is a contest where 35 girls compete to win the heart of the prince and become a princess. All girls of marrying age are encouraged to apply for a part in this contest. From the applications, 35 girls are chosen. The girls live in the castle, and agree to have their lives filmed for TV (think The Bachelor). Prince Maxon will then narrow the girls down to 10 who will become known as the Elite.
What I Loved: AMERICA!! I loved, loved, loved her! Once she becomes part of the Selection she is awesome. She speaks her mind, (which I can relate to) although she never really thinks of the consequences of some of her opinions (which I can also relate too!). Without giving to much away I also liked how strong of a character she is, when the time comes for action she willing to to what it takes to help everyone, regardless of level. I have to be honest I really like Prince Maxon as well. He is naive, but likeable and the interactions between him and America are believeable which to me is one of the biggest wins for me in this book. I am not a fan of The Bachelor (or any reality TV really) so I was very hesitant to read this but I found myself completely sucked in and I could not put this book down!
What I could have done without: The love triangle. I understand why it is there and at the beginning of the book I kind of liked Aspen, HOWEVER by the end ugggggggg! However, this is my only complaint of the book. So really if you can get past it, this is definite read!
Final Grade: A
Book Review by Janine
