Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

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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★★★★☆

My first romp back in the YA Romance genre was a huge success!! The Selection tested my patience, my feelings, my morals, and my understanding. Or maybe that was just America Singer.

Okay so think Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale meets the insane dating show, The Bachelor. Insanity meets heartbreak. Disillusionment meets misunderstandings. Miscommunication meets stupidity. You get the idea.

The story exists in a futuristic world, divided into a caste system. Ones are the royal family and eights are virtually homeless beggars. America is a five, which makes her an artist, and she excels at music. It speaks to her soul and serves as her solace. Each person must be satisfied with their lives and there are very few ways to exalt their station. It's not impossible, but it isn't very likely for most. Luckily there's a special lottery for young women of marriageable age. They can enter for a chance to be part of the selection and there are only a few requirements - young, attractive, and virginal. America fits all three but she is most certainly not interested. She's already in love, with a six named Aspen, and he's the only man she wants to marry. Why bother going through a competition for a heart and a crown she has no interest in winning?

I wondered if any of the other girls were sad today. I imagined that everyone except for me was celebrating.

But sometimes in life, we have no choice and Aspen is certain that he has to eliminate himself from the equation. As a six, what does he have to offer? He'd be forcing her below her station. She might grow to hate and/or resent him. She must take a chance. He loves her too much to not encourage her towards better. And so with a broken heart, America confirms her entry, and to her utter disbelief, she's chosen as one of 35 girls to compete for Prince Maxon's hand in marriage.

I braced myself for all that was coming, and I made myself be brave. As for everything I was leaving behind, I decided I'd do just that: leave him behind. The palace would be my sanctuary. I'd never think or say his name again.

LOL the things we lie to convince ourselves of. She didn't stop with her woe is me act nor did she stop thinking about Aspen. She didn't give Maxon a chance and really anyone else for that matter. She was super judgmental and made crazy assumptions about things she had no idea about. I HATE people like that so I hated her. But there was so much going on in this story that I couldn't stop reading. Although it's her voice telling the tale, it's the story itself that captivated me. I was in love with all of its moving parts and enjoyed learning more and more about the characters that were introduced.

Favorite characters: Marlee and Celeste

Favorite scene: Celeste trying to steal a dress off someone's body (vague enough?)

I know, I know... how could I love Celeste? But I did in a twisted way. She was a typical mean girl and she didn't even try to hide it, except from the monarchy. She knew what she wanted and went for it. The perfect character to love to hate. But not hate. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm off to read The Elite.

Release: April 24, 2012

Heroine POV - 1st person

Book 1 of The Selection series

Format: paperback purchase