Plot Summary
The Selection by Kiera CassSeries: The Selection #1
Published by: HarperTeen on April 24, 2012
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic, Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 327
Source: Purchased
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Rating: ★★★★★
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 the palace and compete for the heart of the 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.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
My Review
I knew I was going to love The Selection. I read the plot summary, I read the reviews, and I just knew it would be a five star book. And for me, it definitely was!
I read this book in one sitting, constantly glued to every word on the page. I love the caste system, the dating game, America’s blunt honesty, and her desire to rule her own life. I love that despite everything that is at stake, America remains true to herself. She doesn’t let the maids doll her up excessively like every other woman in The Selection. She doesn’t want the experience to change her or take her away from who she is.
At first I quite liked Aspen, but I immediately decided I hated him as soon as he left her. He’s just one of those guys with too much pride and one who thinks he gets to decide who a girl does and does not deserve. It just really, really annoys me when a guy says, “I don’t deserve you. Go find someone better.” That’s not his decision to make. Who cares about what a girl deserves — if they love each other and the girl wants to be with him, that should be all that matters.
I was pleasantly surprised to find how much I actually liked Prince Maxon. I like his politeness, genuine kindness, and inexperience with women. At one point, America totally rages at him in a fit of homesickness, but rather than punishing her for yelling at “the prince,” Prince Maxon is totally understanding and cool about it.
The one thing I didn’t really like was the love triangle.. or more specifically, America’s confusion and inability to decisively choose between Aspen and Prince Maxon. Rather than making a decision, for a while she’s just with both guys. That’s the part that irked me. But this line was pretty funny:
Because even though you’re dating five other women, I think I’m cheating on you
The Selection by Kiera Cass, page 318
It actually does seem kind of unfair that Prince Maxon can run around kissing and dating all 35 women from The Selection but the girls have to be faithful to him by law (if they engage in another relationship it’s considered treason, punishable by death).
America’s feelings are honestly understandable. She loved Aspen, but then he left her, and she’s surprised to find herself slowly falling for Prince Maxon. So it’s normal that she’d be confused and uncertain of her feelings towards both men. But I just found myself getting annoyed when she let herself kiss/date both of them. Maybe it’s just because I had been so rooting for Prince Maxon and I was jealous for him!
In any case, I absolutely loved the book. I was really disappointed when it ended and I’m bouncing up and down, eager for the next one in the series! Thanks for the amazing read, Kiera!
The Verdict
This is one hell of a review! I think I’ll have to pass on it, though, because him disregarding her actual desires? Not cool. If she wants him, she freaking wants him. >_< This "I'm not good enough" talk? It was acceptable ten years ago, but then, twenty years ago rape was apparently also acceptable in fiction. So.. screw you "You deserve better!" !!! XD
*cough* I know, who would have thought this was a pet peeve of mine? Though.. if executed properly I can appreciate a "You're too good for me"-conversation. But the whole part where he leaves her? Nah. Not cool.
The rest sounds so good, but I know that I would just focus on that part. *sigh* Damn it.
Yeah that part really, really annoyed me too! It’s basically like saying “I’m right and you’re wrong – your opinion doesn’t matter so I’m making this decision without you.” Thanks a lot!?!?
But the good thing is that once Aspen does this you rage and hate him and want to throw things at him, but then Maxon swoops in and steals the spotlight. So there is that annoying thing but there’s a good guy to take his place!
I hope you love the book!
Have you been watching this season of the Bachelorette? The one guy, I think his name is Jef, was not happy because the bachelorette was giving all the other guys a flirty look too. It kind of reminded me of this book and how it’s just weird to be dating so many people at once. Great review! I liked Maxon too!
-Melissa
I actually have never watched the Bachelorette! I totally agree though – it’s weird to be dating so many people. I wouldn’t like it, I wouldn’t want to compete with others. I guess if you win it’s kind of cool knowing that you were chosen out of so many people.. but I’d rather someone just be with me and only me because they love me and know I’m “the one.” I wouldn’t want them to have to test the waters with 30 other girls first.
Enough rambling! 😀
Thanks for coming by!
I’ve heard so many mixed reviews about this book. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I ‘ll have to check it out 🙂
Definitely check it out if you can! 🙂 It is more of a ‘light’ read but I absolutely adored it! One of my favourite reads so far this eyar.
I’ve been a bit hesistant to read this book, because the summary sounds like a love triangle and I’ve always been hesistant about love triangles. But since reading your review, I’m willing to give this book a chance!
It is a bit of a love triangle, but it was easy to ignore it for most of the book. The only time it became annoying was near the end! But the bulk of the book is all about Maxon and he is a WONDERFUL character!!
Well, if there’s a character that can make up for the love triangle annoyance, then I’m all in!
Hi Ashley, I just noticed this review and wondered if you would like to link it in to the current monthly collection of books that people loved on Carole’s Chatter. This is the link There are already over 25 great books linked in that you might be interested in. It would be super if you came on over. Cheers
I loved this book too! And I am also on team Maxon, if we’re using teams…
I enjoyed this book – I liked the idea, the caste system, and the cover is gorgeous….I decrease half a star for the love triangle…